Thunderforce (2021) Movie Review

Cordelia Cross Jun 4, 2026 01:34 0

Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnx6-YLXFwg

Thunder Force is a superhero action-comedy directed by Ben Falcone and starring Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer, alongside Jason Bateman, Bobby Cannavale, and Pom Klementieff. The film takes place in a world where a cosmic event has granted superpowers to criminals, forcing two childhood friends to reunite and become unlikely superheroes. It blends goofy comedy, superhero parody, and buddy-action elements, aiming for a light, chaotic, and exaggerated tone throughout.

My first impression was that the movie immediately commits to being silly in a very broad, almost cartoonish way. It doesn’t try to ground its world or characters in realism at all, instead leaning into absurd powers, exaggerated villains, and over-the-top humor. While that approach can be fun in short bursts, it also makes the film feel inconsistent in tone and uneven in execution.

Brief Plot Overview

The story follows Lydia and Emily, two estranged childhood best friends who reconnect after Emily develops a formula that grants superhuman abilities to ordinary people. In a city overrun by super-powered criminals known as Miscreants, the two women become the superhero duo known as Thunder Force.

As they learn to control their abilities and take on increasingly bizarre villains, they must also navigate their complicated friendship and very different personalities. What follows is a series of battles, comedic mishaps, and villain confrontations that push them to work together despite their differences, all while trying to protect their city from escalating chaos.

What Worked

One of the strongest aspects of Thunder Force is the chemistry between its two leads. Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer work well together in theory, and there are moments where their friendship dynamic feels warm and natural. When the film slows down and focuses on their relationship, it is at its most watchable.

Jason Bateman also stands out as one of the more memorable parts of the movie. His unusual villain character provides some of the film’s more distinctive comedic moments, and his performance has a weird, dry energy that contrasts with the louder humor around him.

The basic concept of regular people becoming superheroes in a world overrun by villains has potential, and there are a few creative visual ideas scattered throughout the film. At times, the movie feels like it could have worked as a fun parody of superhero tropes if the execution had been more focused.

What Didn’t Work

The biggest issue with Thunder Force is that the humor and tone are extremely inconsistent. Some jokes feel stretched too long, while others fall flat entirely, making it difficult for the comedy to land with any real rhythm.

The pacing is also uneven, with stretches of the movie feeling like filler between more interesting ideas. Instead of building momentum, the story often stalls, repeating similar beats without much progression or payoff.

The villains, while visually interesting, are underdeveloped and don’t feel particularly threatening, which lowers the stakes significantly. As a result, the action sequences lack tension, making the superhero aspect feel more like background noise than a driving force.

Even though the cast is talented, the script doesn’t give them enough strong material to fully work with, which leads to performances that feel restrained compared to their potential.

Overall Thoughts

Overall, Thunder Force is a messy but occasionally amusing superhero comedy that struggles to balance its ideas. While there are moments of charm—especially in the lead duo and a few supporting performances—the film is held back by weak pacing, inconsistent humor, and underdeveloped storytelling.

It’s the kind of movie that works best as background entertainment rather than a focused viewing experience. Fans of very broad, silly superhero parodies might find some enjoyment in it, but it doesn’t fully capitalize on its cast or concept.

Review

Best Part:
The dynamic between Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer, plus Jason Bateman’s strange but memorable villain performance.

Worst Part:
Inconsistent humor and weak pacing that make large portions of the film feel flat or repetitive.

Most Memorable Character and Why:
The Crab, played by Jason Bateman, because his odd physicality and dry comedic delivery make him stand out in an otherwise uneven ensemble.

Would Rewatch?
Maybe