Thor: Ragnarok-Review

The third installment of Thor’s Marvel Cinematic Story, THOR: RAGNAROK, takes us to a new world, has some great cameo’s both by other MCU heroes and Hollywood celebrities, and a fantastic soundtrack. Of course Stan Lee makes an appearance, and probably one of my most favorite of his cameo’s so far. Thor Ragnarok was one thing above all else: the funniest Marvel movie yet, and it’s brilliant! Here’s my review!

REVIEW:

I had noticed that before the opening title sequence I had laughed out loud at least 5 times. The opening fight scene was a glimpse of Thor, Chris Hemsworth , at his best. Thor spent the last 2 years looking for Infinity Stones, he didn’t find any. He’s still got his long hair. Even though he is chained in a cage with a skeleton, he’s confident. He escapes captivity, defeating legions of demons in order to defeat a bigger demon, Surtur. Surtur is going to bring about Ragnarok, the destruction of Asgard. Surtur tells Thor that Ragnarok is coming because Odin, Anthony Hopkins , is not in Asgard anymore. Once Thor defeats Surtur he returns home to find the bifrost abandoned by Heimdell, Idris Elba , who is now a fugitive of the throne. Karl Urban plays his usual bad guy in the role of Skurge and the temporary keeper of the Rainbow bridge to Asgard. Odin, has become peculiarly relaxed in his defense of the 9 realms. Thor watches as his father relishes in a play about his sons and their recent family struggles. Matt Damon (uncredited) plays an emotional Loki while Luke Hemsworth plays a dramatic version of his older brother, Chris, Thor. Of course the real Thor can see that Odin has been replaced by his assumed dead brother Loki, Tom Hiddleston . Loki admits to his wrong doing and in stranding their father on Earth. Thor and Loki track down Odin, with the help of Doctor Strange, Benedict Cumberbatch , in a continuation of the scene we saw at the end of the credits of the Doctor Strange movie. This scene was nothing but comedy, even “slapsticky” at times. Odin has grown too weak in his old age and it’s time for him to move on. He warns that with his death, their sister Hela, Cate Blanchett , would be released from her prison, and she is not good. Just moments after Odin’s passing Hela appears to her little brother and step brother. She asks for them to kneel, they refuse, and Thor tosses his hammer at Hela. She stops it mid-flight and crushes Mjolnir with one hand to show her little brothers that she is a force to be reckoned with and she wants her throne. There is a whole back story to Hela and Odin’s younger years. As with most origins of an established oligarchy, it was built on the backs of suffering and through force and death. Odin changed his ways but Hela’s bloodlust and desire wouldn’t stop at the 9 realms, she wanted more. Odin banished her from Asgard at the cost of the Valkyrie army. Odin’s life-force was the only thing that could keep Hela contained. The brothers try to escape Hela’s wrath through the bifrost but she’s too powerful and follows them. With little effort Hela tosses them out of the bifrost tunnel and into the unknown universe. Thor lands on a backward planet Sakaar, that is hilariously run by the Grandmaster, Jeff Goldblum . Thor is captured by Scrapper 142-who is a lost Valkyrie, Tessa Thompson . One of my most favorite parts of the movie was during Valkyrie’s flashback to taking down Hela the first time. The Valkyrie’s charging towards Hela on winged horses was beautifully lit and executed. It reminded me of a Renaissance painting, absolutely Gorgeous!

In order for Thor to escape Sakaar, he must defeat the The Grandmaster’s Champion. Thanks to the trailers, we all know that this is the Hulk, Mark Ruffalo , who is stuck as the Hulk with no trace of Bruce Banner in his personality. More hilarity is had between the “Strongest Avengers”. Thor:Ragnarok almost becomes a buddy comedy starring Thor and The Hulk.

The film was solid on a design level. Thor gets a new haircut, thanks to “the man” . Sakaar, however, didn’t portray the feeling of a dangerous, murderous, gladiatorial planet. Falling debris from stationary wormholes that populated the sky cover the ground in space junk. The rest of the planet looked like it was designed by Dr. Seuss. The costumes of the indigenous people reminded me of the bad years of the Batman and Robin movies. Too bright and colorful for my tastes. I’m glad they didn’t use tube florescent and black lighting.

Thor: Ragnarok was a lot of fun throughout. It didn’t get serious until the final closing moments of the film and even then only lightly. One liners and comedic looks really made this film light hearted and entertaining. Even Skurge had some fun moments too, Des and Troy were funny throwbacks to Earth/American culture and our obsession with machine guns.

I walked out of the theater with a smile on my face. I was wondering if Thor: Rangarok would be listed as an Action/Comedy or Comedy/Action. It was equally both. Thor: Ragnarok is a great addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ragnarok was probably one of my most favorites of all of the MCU movies. Go out and see it today and remember not to leave the theater until the lights come on!