Thunder Force (2021)

Directed by Ben Falcone. Starring Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer, Jason Bateman, Taylor Mosby, Bobby Cannavale, Melissa Leo, Pom Klementieff, Marcella Lowery, Kevin Dunn, Tyrel Jackson Williams, Melissa Ponzio, Ben Falcone. [PG-13]

Back in the 80s, Earth was bombarded with cosmic rays that gave sociopaths superpowers, and they’ve run rampant through society ever since. Cut to present day: estranged childhood friends McCarthy (crass slob) and Spencer (uptight egghead) team up as adults to fight these enhanced criminals after being given experimental treatments that turn them into superheroes. Excruciatingly lazy timesink doesn’t even attempt to explore the details of its high-concept premise, and instead dredges up one witless scene after another without shape or payoff. Spencer has almost nothing to work with (even her superpower of invisibility is rarely exploited) and McCarthy just plays the same crude slacker she’s already played time and time again. It’s as risible and unoriginal as the title suggests.

22/100