Thor: Ragnarok is the third installment in the Thor film series directed by Taika Waititi. Thor finds himself imprisoned after searching for the Infinity Stones following the conclusion of the Avengers: Age of Ultron. Thor must escape in time to save Asgard from the impending doom known as Ragnarok.
I’ve always enjoyed The Thor film series as they felt and looked visual different due to the norse mythological themes that Thor is borrowed from. Even though the series is considered the weakest of the MCU and it’s most likely due to that reason. The audience seemed to enjoy the Thor that was new to Earth and becoming a superhero. Not the fantasy Thor. The son of Odin who must protect his home, Asgard. Since its first film Thor has changed slightly in each appearance. Thor has grown and his final transition into this new Thor is what emerges in Thor: Ragnarok. A self-aware charismatic Superhero. That’s a good thing for his character to have changed. Thor has had enough time and experience with Earth to have changed him and not remain the same character.
Ragnarok has moved away from its former tone and appears more in the vein of Guardian of the Galaxy. The humor, not too over the top action and all-around entertainment is top notch in this film. I’m glad that Marvel took a step in this direction. Hulk also has gone through a shift in character displaying more of his inner Hulk, as he joins Thor’s journey to protecting Asgard. Secondary characters were great in this film as well and the lack of Jane Foster benefited. Had there been a love story subplot that would have been underwritten with everything else that was going on.
What was bad about the film seemed obvious to me. There was no meat to it. Not enough backstory was given to the new characters that fought on either side. The overall arc while it had major ramifications, didn’t possess the tension I’d expect it to have. The film opted more to show off gorgeous visuals, give more lines to funny side characters, and have more silly scenes than give me more substance. Even though this Marvel film felt like it’s story was on a diet, I loved it.
Thor: Ragnarok is a new film that moves in the same direction as Guardians of Galaxy series and Spider-Man: Homecoming. They are different in tone than say Captain America: Winter Soldier, which is considered one of the best Marvel films. I love Winter Soldier because it felt like a great spy thriller first then a superhero movie second. It worked and was a great movie because of that. However, Thor: Ragnarok appears closest to the feeling I get when reading a comic book.
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running time: 2 hr 10 min
Director: Taika Waititi
Screenplay: Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo, and Anthony Hopkins
Producers: Kevin Feige
Music: Mark Mothersbaugh
Cinematography: Javier Aguirresarobe