Thunder Force

Movie Trailer

Release Date
April 9, 2021

Genre
Action, Comedy, Superhero

Cast & Crew

• Melissa McCarthy as Lydia Berman / Hammer
• Octavia Spencer as Emily Stanton / Bingo
• Jason Bateman as The Crab
• Bobby Cannavale as The King
• Pom Klementieff as Laser
• Melissa Leo as Allie

Director
Ben Falcone

Other Movies Director is Known For:

• Tammy (2014)
• The Boss (2016)
• Life of the Party (2018)

Producer
Ben Falcone, Melissa McCarthy, Marc Platt, Adam Siegel

Writer
Ben Falcone

Budget
$25 million

Production Company
On the Day Productions, Marc Platt Productions, Netflix

Running Time
107 minutes

Languages
English

Maturity Rating
PG-13

Content Advisory

• Comic book violence
• Mild language
• Some suggestive content

Movie Story
“Thunder Force” is a superhero comedy that centers around two childhood friends, Lydia Berman (Melissa McCarthy) and Emily Stanton (Octavia Spencer), who reunite as adults and accidentally become the world’s first superhero team. The film is set in a world where supervillains, known as “Miscreants,” emerged after a cosmic event, but no superheroes exist to combat them.

Emily, a brilliant scientist, has been working on a genetic formula to give ordinary people superpowers, driven by the loss of her parents, who were killed by Miscreants. When Lydia, now an average, working-class woman, visits Emily’s high-tech lab, she inadvertently subjects herself to the treatment, gaining super strength. Emily, who has developed the ability to turn invisible, reluctantly teams up with Lydia to form Thunder Force, a crime-fighting duo tasked with protecting the city from Miscreants.

The main villain, The King (Bobby Cannavale), a power-hungry Miscreant, aims to dominate the city with the help of his henchwoman, Laser (Pom Klementieff), and the quirky half-man, half-crab criminal, The Crab (Jason Bateman). As Thunder Force battles these supervillains, Lydia and Emily must navigate their rekindled friendship, the challenges of their newfound powers, and the responsibility of being the city’s only hope.

“Thunder Force” combines action-packed superhero elements with broad comedy, leaning heavily on the chemistry between McCarthy and Spencer. The film explores themes of friendship, empowerment, and second chances, all while delivering a mix of slapstick humor, physical comedy, and light-hearted action sequences.

Special Effects
The special effects in “Thunder Force” are a key component of the film, especially in depicting the superpowers and action sequences. The effects are used to create the various powers displayed by the characters, such as Lydia’s super strength and Emily’s invisibility. Additionally, the film’s visual effects bring to life the absurdity of The Crab’s crab-like appendages and the explosive energy blasts from Laser. While the effects are not groundbreaking, they are colorful and exaggerated to fit the film’s comedic tone. The action scenes, though not overly intense, are filled with visual gags and humorous situations that complement the film’s light-hearted nature.

Box Office Performance
“Thunder Force” was released directly on Netflix, bypassing traditional box office channels. The film quickly became one of the most-watched titles on the platform upon its release, thanks in part to the star power of Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer. While it received mixed reviews from critics, who were divided on its humor and execution, the film found an audience among viewers looking for a fun, easygoing superhero comedy.

Filming Locations

• Chicago, Illinois, USA
• Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Notable Quotes

• “I just wanted to be a superhero… and now I have super strength!” – Lydia Berman
• “You can’t just say you’re a superhero. You have to earn it.” – Emily Stanton

Behind-the-Scenes
“Thunder Force” was written and directed by Ben Falcone, who frequently collaborates with his wife, Melissa McCarthy. The film was designed as a comedic take on the superhero genre, with a focus on the dynamics between the two lead characters. McCarthy and Spencer, who are longtime friends in real life, brought their natural chemistry to the screen, which is a central element of the film. Jason Bateman’s role as The Crab, a villain with crab claws, adds a surreal and humorous twist to the film. The production took place in Chicago and Atlanta, with both cities providing urban backdrops for the film’s action sequences.

Awards
“Thunder Force” did not receive major awards but was noted for the performances of its lead actors, especially the comedic chemistry between Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer.

Final Verdict
“Thunder Force” is a light-hearted, entertaining superhero comedy that benefits from the strong comedic talents of its cast, particularly Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer. While the film’s humor and plot are not particularly groundbreaking, it offers plenty of laughs and a fun twist on the superhero genre. The movie’s appeal lies in its goofy, over-the-top action and the warm, endearing friendship at its core. Fans of McCarthy’s brand of comedy and those looking for a playful, feel-good movie will find “Thunder Force” to be an enjoyable watch, even if it’s not destined to become a classic.

IMDb Rating
4.5/10