20s Movie Review - Thunder Force

Director: Ben Falcone
Genre: Action/ Science Fiction/ Comedy
Runtime: 106 minutes
Year: 2021
Starring: Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer, Jason Bateman, Melissa Leo, Bobby Cannavale, Pom Klementieff
Description: In a world where supervillains are commonplace, two estranged childhood best friends (Octavia Spencer, Melissa McCarthy) reunite after one devises a treatment that gives them powers to protect their city.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2025 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 35: A FILM WITH OCTAVIA SPENCER
 
Review: Director Ben Falcone has his wife, actress Melissa McCarthy, star in his films pretty regularly. No matter if their movies are a hit or miss, they continue to work together. This time, they combine their forces for “Thunder Force”. McCarthy plays Lydia, who accidentally gains superpowers. And now, together with her estranged best friend from school she is trying to fight the villains, the so-called Miscreants, in their city.

This movie is not good. In any case, it’s not Melissa McCarthy’s fault. She has the timing and talent to turn any half-baked idea into something that can pass for mildly amusing. Octavia Spencer also delivers an excellent performance as the brilliant but introverted friend Emily. However, there is little chemistry between the two. They don’t feel like two women who grew up together and have a close bond despite all the tension. A palpable friendship is exactly what this film needs the most.

“Thunder Force” contains superhero clichés. And clichés don’t bother me when done well, but that’s not the case for this film. Parents who must be avenged, strange names for alter egos, having to learn to control one’s powers. And little humor is drawn from this. At best, there are a few funny moments. Half-baked funny ideas that are not very well developed.

I could have gone along with it, if it was some sort of parody film. But whenever something ridiculous does appear, it seems out of place. Like Jason Bateman’s characters, called The Crab. He has crab claws instead of hands, which does indeed look laughable, but its mainly strange and not funny. As it’s clearly intended to be.

What remains is a predictable action comedy, with few jokes.

Rating: 2/ 5