Yes, Thunderbolts* is literally a superhero movie about has-beens fighting off depression. It's more than a little on the nose, given Marvel's trajectory. But what's welcome about it is the lack of pretension, the relatively minimal burden of franchise lore, and the general competence with which the requisite action and comedy beats are assembled.

It's a Marvel movie, which comes with all you'd expect from the world's biggest superhero franchise. But it's also the best Marvel movie in years.