Marvel's latest offering, "Thunderbolts*," has stormed into theaters this weekend, bringing a much-needed jolt to the MCU and summer box office. With $31.5 million on opening day and projections of $75-80 million domestically, this antihero ensemble is proving that Marvel has some thunder.

Critics are calling it "a welcome return to form" and "one of Marvel's more successful efforts of late." The film boasts an impressive 88% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an A- CinemaScore, suggesting strong audience approval and potential staying power over the next weeks.

What makes "Thunderbolts*" stand out is its approach to character development and tone.

As one reviewer noted, it's "an odd duck of a superhero flick, one that almost leans into the skid of the MCU, and, by doing so, might actually straighten it out." The chemistry between Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Sebastian Stan, and Lewis Pullman has been particularly praised.

The film isn't without flaws –its final act has been criticized for feeling rushed, with Forbes noting it "resembles many other MCU films that feature strong beginnings but suffer from a rushed conclusion".

Nevertheless, "Thunderbolts*" represents a promising direction for Marvel, proving that sometimes the most compelling heroes are the ones struggling to leave the shadows of their more famous counterparts.

Also, stay for the credits.