THOR: RAGNAROK (2017)

Directed By: Taika Waititi 
Written By: Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle & Christopher Yost 
Based On The Comics By: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Larry Lieber 
Cinematography By: Javier Agguiresarobe 
Editor: Zene Baker & Joel Negron 
Music By: Mark Mothersbaugh 


Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson, Cate Blanchett, Karl Urban, Jeff Goldblum, Idris Elba, Anthony Hopkins, Sam Neill, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zachary Levi, Ray Stevenson, Taika Waititi, Clancy Brown 


Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok, the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization, at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela.



This is finally the good Thor movie most have been waiting for. It has all the promise that the other films lacked but seem to want you to believe.

As this film comes in phase 3 of the Marvel universe. Each time a new Thor movie appears in each phase it offers something different. The Thor film before this were passable yet disappointing. As each film also usually has a new director with a vision. This time being directed by Taika Waititi.

The film acknowledges the past of the character but also starts a new with a different kind of film. That seems to pretend that the past movies happened but has no real effect on this film. This one is more comedic and lighthearted which also makes it more fun.

The visuals are vibrant and the film feels like it moves at a brisk pace. Which might be because you are having so much fun while watching. It tries to even reinvent the characters to a degree. As when we see Thor finally get his iconic helmet after a drastic makeover.

The film feels loose and once again shows that marvel more or less let's directors who are a bit more loose and inventive and it seems particularly directed comedies more than anything before. They can deliver the goods and offer something new visually and character wise. Just like comic books with this film as major changes and fates are dealt with and changed. The film still just feels more like a continuing adventure that stays fun and dangerous. Though you are truly just as entertained and follow along as it throws things at you constantly. Part of the fun of the movie is that with each new scene it gets outlandish and seems to recognize how ridiculous it is. The film acknowledges this and still keeps continuing filling in the blanks as it reminds us how fun it is to play make believe. Only here it has the background and effects to fill it all in.

What the film also offers is Chris Hemsworth actually having more fun in the iconic role. So he doesn't seem as stiff and finally seems more In control and relaxed as he seems more natural at the comedic moments. Just as in the avengers movies.

Tessa Thompson is a breath of fresh air as a female character who isn't instantly or eventually a love interest for any of the characters and is quite dangerous, cunning and powerful herself. Not to mention a hard drinker.

Mark Ruffalo though a major co-star in the film seems more like the straight man in this comedic trio. Which o it makes him. Ore fun wit when he is the one who has to freak out and be nervous.

Cate Blanchett is effective while chewing the scenery in her villainous role of Hela. Looking like a nightmare version of Maleficent. (So much so I wonder if it’s subliminal cross promoting) So that she is properly over the top and seems to play the role like she is a diva in an opera. She is a dangerous villain and does what is required but she lacks being a memorable villain. She more or less seems to be there to be a threat and set certain actions in motion. While also being the face of this so called catastrophe that is taking place.

Jeff Goldblum is a hoot in his role as the game master who set's up these gladiator challenges. As he seems like a mercurial fey selfish game show host.

Tom Hiddleston is obviously having fun and fits into the film. Not so much stealing scene as the movie matches his character more of Loki the god of mischief. The film seems to be taken u see his influence. Even as his character seems to be one of the more reluctant characters throughout the film.

This film while connected to the rest of the continuing events of the marvel cinematic universe. This film also feels like it could be it's own film. It has it's own identity. It necessarily connected to the other films if it didn't have to.

Similar to the movie WONDER WOMAN I wonder if the film in the long run is just that good or if it is a victim of over praise. Where as either way it works as a film, but are we loving it as it is finally a good THOR movie. That finally figured out how to make a good go in the franchise? Or is it in actuality a cinematic achievement. Just as when it comes to WONDER WOMAN is the movie all that great? Or is it just finally a DC comic universe film that is decent and good? As the film is great popcorn entertainment, but it is memorable as a film all it's own? Either way it is definitely ab achievement for director Takia Waititi who proves he can do big budget Hollywood movies and still bring a comedic sensibility to his films as well as handle that size of a production.

This Isn't the best film of the marvel cinematic universe. Though it is one of the more fun entries. As the film feels just as in the spirit of THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY films.

What might hurt the film is that separate from some minor occurrences. It really doesn't fit into the continuing storyline and the parts that do feel forced, like the cameo of a certain recent marvel character. This feels like it would have been better as a one off. Which works for most of us. As his hair feels like another adventure or another chapter in the characters story. Not in the universe. This feels like a remembrance full of embellishment.

There is a battle against a Giant wolf as part of the ending. If that doesn't show the wackiness of the film I don't know want will Though it is entertaining by all of it's elements that finally Gives the character and the series what it has seriously lacked, personality. It also leaves the film to Again like a comic book feel like a side adventure that might have major events but feels lite to a degree. The story would be naturally forgettable if not for the majority of events. Look at Karl Urban's character who seems there just to have a last minute heroic change of heart.

Overall it is definition a movie worth checking out. That is a crowd pleaser.


Grade: B-