Thunder Force (2021)

Thunder Force is a superhero movie that knows the real superpower is chemistry, and it leans hard into the warm, funny spark between Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer as two lifelong friends thrown back into each other’s orbit. The vibe is breezy and oddball—part buddy-comedy, part comic-book romp—where the action is more playful than punishing and the world has a pleasantly goofy texture, right down to Jason Bateman’s scene-stealing weirdness. It’s not trying to reinvent the genre; it’s aiming for charm, likability, and a little gonzo spirit, and when it hits its stride it becomes the kind of easy watch that leaves you smiling. If you want grim stakes and sleek seriousness, look elsewhere, but if you’re on the fence and craving a light, cast-driven superhero laugh, this one earns a spot on the couch.

Thunder Force is clearly aiming for a cozy, odd-couple superhero comedy where two women rediscover their friendship while punching bad guys, and on paper that should be a win with this cast. The problem is it plays like a first draft: the action is serviceable but weightless, the jokes land inconsistently, and the story hits familiar beats without much spark or cleverness. Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer are likable enough to keep it moving, and Jason Bateman’s weirdly charming villain shtick is easily the most memorable ingredient, but the movie rarely builds momentum or stakes. If you’re looking for sharp satire, inventive superhero mayhem, or a genuinely laugh-out-loud comedy, this will probably feel like a time-filler rather than a treat.