“Thunderbolts” is the latest to hit the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The movie, 36th in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), is what fans might want: action, fights, explosions, quippy dialogue, nifty superhero outfits for the next cosplay convention, conflicted superheroes, fantastic computer-generated imagery and, oh, did I mention, action, fights and explosions.

“Thunderbolts” seems to mostly provide that dreaded term, fan service, and serve as a bridge to “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” set for release July 25.

An extended scene after the conclusion of the credits for “Thunderbolts” informs us that the Thunderbolts characters are actually The New Avengers.

That’s the thing about the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Each movie functions as an extended promo for the next movie.

It’s the Hollywood movie concept of Saturday afternoon serials, only, in the MCU, it’s extended from year to year or decade to decade, instead of from Saturday to Saturday. Keep ‘em coming back for more.

“Thunderbolts” lacks the nuts and bolts of solid screenwriting. With an idea going back to 2014 and after being announced in 2021, “Thunderbolts” languished in development heck. So-called, to quote a cliché, creatives were brought in to patch together a patchwork of cliché plot devices and character turns. Call it “Thuderbolts” or, better yet, “Thunderbotch.”

“Thunderbolts” is the most disappointing MCU movie since well, the last MCU movie, “Captain America: Brave New World” (2025), released in February.

The lack of confidence that the studio and films-makers apparently had in their own product, “Thunderbolts,” is emblazoned on the movie’s posters with an asterisk that accompanies the title, referring to the alternate title, “The New Avengers,” which the movie was marketed as, soon after it opened.

The screenplay for “Thunderbolts” is replete with psycho-babble and mumbo-jumbo about the main characters, described as “anti-heroes and super-criminals,” who, haunted by the traumas of their youth, are placed in “shame rooms” (which are depicted in the movie).

The only folks who should be in a shame room are the screenwriters, namely, Eric Pearson (screenwriter, “Thor: Ragnarok, 2017; “Black Widow,” 2021; “Godzilla vs. Kong,” 2021) and Joanna Calo (Primetime Emmy, “The Bear,” 2023). The story by Pearson is based on characters by Kurt Busiek, Mark Bagley, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Joe Simon, Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee.

“Thunderbolts” director Jake Schreier (Primetime Emmy winner, “Beef,” 2023) fumbles, jumbles and otherwise further mucks up the screenplay with incoherent scenes frequently interrupted by brutally-violent, fight-to-the-death sequences that not even the most powerful superheroes would survive.

It’s s real shame, especially because of “Thunderbolts” great cast.

Florence Pugh (Oscar nominee, supporting actress, “Little Women,” 2020) is terrific as Yelena Belova, the tough fighter with the tender thoughts. Pugh carries the film. She shines and dominates and saves every scene she’s in. Her beautiful face is so expressive. She moves with the force of a ninja warrior.

Pugh is bold, memorable and courageous. In one of the movie’s opening scenes, Pugh jumps off the Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, second-tallest building in the world, and unfurls a parasail and floats to safety. This was not green screen or Computer Generated Imagery, we’re told. Pugh did the stunt.

Sebastian Stan is riveting as Bucky Barnes aka Winter Soldier. You can’t keep your eyes off of him.

David Harbour is a hoot as Alexei Shostakov aka Red Guardian. He’s loud and he’s proud and he’s very funny.

Lewis Pullman portrays a fascinating figure as the enigmatic Bob Reynolds aka Sentry.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine seems have arrived from another universe, that of sit-coms and TV melodramas.

The cast includes Olga Kurylenko (Antonia Dreykov aka Taskmaster), Wyatt Russell (John Walker), Geraldine Viswanathan (Mel) and Hannah John-Kamen (Ava Starr aka Ghost).

“Thunderbolts” doesn’t strike lightning in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One expects more from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Then again, maybe it’s time we toss out our expectations with the nuts, bolts and Thunderbolts.

“Thunderbolts,” MPAA rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned: Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13) for strong violence, language, thematic elements and some suggestive and drug references; Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Science-Fiction; Run Time: 2 hours, 6 minutes. Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous: “Thunderbolts” end credits include a montage of magazine articles about the movie characters. David Harbour (Alexei Shostakov aka Red Guardian) is in a mid-credits scene where he’s in a supermarket and points out to a shopper that the Thunderbolts characters image is on a cereal box of Wheaties. Filming locations included Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; New York City; Utah, and Georgia from February to June 2024. “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” by Starship is heard during the closing credits.

At The Movies: “Thunderbolts” was seen in the Dolby Cinema at AMC, AMC Center Valley 16. The soundtrack sometimes shook the recliner seats.

Unreel, May 30:

“Karate Kid: Legends,” PG-13: Jonathan Entwistle directs Jackie Chan, Ralph Macchio and Ben Wang in the Action Drama. A kung fu prodigy, Li Fong, enters a karate competition with the aid of Mr. Han and Daniel LaRusso. It’s the sixth film based on the original 1984 teen hit movie.

Two Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes