The Marvel Cinematic Universe has had its share of peaks and valleys over the years. Once a well-oiled machine that meticulously fused character arcs, humor and bombastic storytelling to create cultural moments, recent offerings have staggered under the weight of expectations. Yet, Marvel’s newest ensemble film, Thunderbolts*, feels like a cautious but meaningful step toward restoring its former luster. It’s not a perfect entry, but much like its titular antiheroes, it thrives in its imperfection.