‘Thor: Ragnarok’ Is Like Christmas Morning As A Kid (Movie Review)
I have a new modern day definition of the word fun. When I think of “fun” now I am reminded of the fantastic Thor: Ragnarok film trailers. In a world full of so much seriousness, hate protests and whatnot it’s totally awesome to think how a two minute plus movie trailer can put a smile on your face from ear-to-ear. Not too much does that to me in real life nowadays. I didn’t even let Thor’s butch haircut damper my spirits, albeit does suck to see him shed those locks no matter what the circumstance is. Despite Chris Hemsworth not donning those beautiful golden locks all the way through this third Thor solo entry I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to having some serious F-U-N with the Ragnarok folks here. I’ll also admit this too as I feel like I’m late to the party here because all my California peers have already seen and reviewed it. Heck, even the boob tube declares it as “one of the best reviewed Marvel films to date.” So if you’re asking me if I’m excited about Thor: Ragnarok, hell yeah I am! Let’s get this superhero party started!
Since Thor and the Hulk were conveniently absent from Civil War (thank God because I’m not a big fan of that borefest) I see Thor: Ragnarok as a follow-up sequel to the second Avengers film really. However, in reality, our movie here is actually the seventeenth film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film is directed by Taika Waititi with a screenplay by Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost. It stars Chris Hemsworth as our titular superhero Thor, Tom Hiddleston as Thor’s brother Loki, Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk and others including our main antagonist Cate Blanchett as Hela, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban and Anthony Hopkins. And so here in Thor: Ragnarok, our hero must escape his imprisonment on the alien planet Sakaar in time to save his home world of Asgard from Hela and the impending Ragnarok.
Now if you’re inquisitive and nosey like me, then you’re probably wondering what the hell “Ragnarok” in the movie title even means. Don’t be ashamed because I had to Google it too. In Norse mythology, Ragnarok is a series of future events, including a great battle, that ultimately results in the death of a number of major figures (including the gods Odin, Thor and Loki). Before we talk about the crux of the story here I also wanted to confirm a popular assumption of what else goes down in here. Yes. The Hulk’s involvement in this storyline is confirmed to be somewhat adapted elements from the 2006 comic book storyline of Planet Hulk. That confirmation of knowledge alone should make this one an instant crowd pleaser. If that doesn’t do it for you, then what about knowing the convoluted shenanigans of Thor’s brother Loki is back again? Wait! What about this one. What if I told you Matt Damon has a cameo in this one that topples Ed Sheeran’s in this year’s Game of Thrones? Haha. The rumors are indeed true!
So yes Thor: Ragnarok is very much a bromance between Thor and the Hulk, but it’s also so much more than that. You’ve seen the trailers so you all should know previous to going in what you’re in store for…a good time. It’s like a barrel of monkeys. I mean how can you not have fun with a barrel of monkeys? When I say fun too I mean laugh out loud kind of fun. This one takes very little seriously and makes fun of itself constantly despite a dark undertone to it all. Now I can see how many could be turned off by this kind of filmmaking, but after the butt-numbing seriousness and numerous a$$ beatings of Civil War don’t you want to have some fun with your Marvel superheroes? I know I do and I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say this one makes the Guardians series thus far look like serious films. Haha. And to think when this MCU all started the one film I had apprehension over how they could conceivably pull it all off was Thor. I was ever so wrong to worry as I love all the Thor journeys thus far. I can’t say as much for the Iron Man or Captain America trilogies, but I digress.
Thor finds himself in a predicament here. He no longer wields the hammer as Hela destroys it. Don’t worry. This is not a spoiler. It’s all shown in the trailers. So as I was saying. There’s a new sheriff in town and her name is Hela. But before we talk more about Hela I want to focus on Thor’s other predicament. He finds himself misplaced on the planet Sakaar and that’s where he unintentionally stumbles upon the Hulk. Now Mr. Hulk has been big and green for over two years since we last saw him the second Avengers outing. Banner, the Hulk’s true identity, is trapped within the beast almost like a ghost (in a shell). Fret not! He does reappear. It’s also here where we meet Jeff Goldblum and Tessa Thompson’s characters. I’ll forgo talking about the supposed bi-sexuality of Tessa’s character (I just DON’T care) and comment on how spectacular Goldblum was as the Grandmaster. He was born to play this role and I couldn’t imagine anyone else owning it other than him. Eventually, though Thor must square off against our antagonist, Hela, so let’s talk about that next.
I don’t know what everyone else thinks of Cate Blanchett’s performance as Hela, but I loved it. Not only did she look incredibly hot, but I believed her villainous intentions. She sold me on that and her curves. She still has them. However, the one thing I love the most about her character was how when her dark ravenous hair was down she would pull it back and it would transform into what I dub helmet hair, LOL, almost like antlers. I kid you not. I told you were in for a good time here. It doesn’t stop there though. The banter between the Hulk and Thor early on in Sakaar (yes the Hulk has way more vocabulary in this one) is where you’ll piss your pants should you unwisely choose to enter this screening with a full bladder. There are moments of peril to be had here, but believe me, they are overshadowed by the comedy and all the crazy one-liners. CGI is a little iffy at times, but it is what it is. I was too busy laughing to really nitpick how bad something may or may not have looked onscreen to notice much. I was impressed by the 3D presentation, but I again digress.
In summary, I double dog dare you to tell me you had more fun at any other Marvel movie before (with the exception of the first Guardians). Thor: Ragnarok is a blast to be had from start to finish. It’s simply the Webster’s Dictionary definition of the word “fun.” It’s humor placed above anything else, but in a very playful way, I think most Marvel fans will enjoy and appreciate. After all, we have two very serious Marvel films coming out next year so let’s take this holiday break to have some…F-U-N. It’s like Christmas morning. Enjoy Thor: Ragnarok folks!
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