'Thor: Ragnarok' A Review

Thor: Ragnarok is a superhero comedy, the third in the Thor series, and the latest in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The best part about the film is that it doesn't really feel like MCU #17. Under the direction of Taika Waititi there is an gleeful playfulness that brings a freshness in tone and performance if not necessarily with plot to this superhero installment. The film opens on Thor(Chris Hemsworth) in chains talking with fire demon Surtur outlining the end of Asgard, the prophesized Ragnarok. Thor bests him and returns to Asgard only to discover Loki(Tom Hiddleston) masquerading as Odin. The two set out to bring their father back but his absence has released their evil sister Hela(Cate Blantchett) who wars on Asgard while Thor and Loki are stranded on garbage planet Sakaar.

Hemsworth give his best incarnation of his long held character, playing it with significantly more swagger, humor, and charm as well as a fraction more heart and feeling. With this installment it seems Thor has finally found a proper identity, a proper style. There is an inherent sillyness about the character that the film embraces and makes it significantly more successful. Hiddleston is somewhat underutilized but this is fully and truly Thor's movie and that's as it should be. Blantchett is delicious as the villain but would benefit from more interaction with Thor and just plan character development. Her performance of fun but there is a sense of unrealized promise about it. Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie is a highlight as is the return of Mark Ruffalo's Hulk, whose is given way more room to play. Somewhat confined by the necessity of telling a Marvel story Waititi isn't able to reach his same level of heart but he is able to bring his same level of humor and the cast clearly relishes the opportunity to operate outside the standard superhero box.

There are some incredible visuals, all of Sakaar, a dynamic flashback for Valkyrie, and a number of the fight scenes but there are also a couple sequences with terrible CGI that look like they ran out of money. This disparity isn't distracting or detracting but it is odd. The score is chock full of classic rock hits which just elevate the already prevalent feeling of fun.

Funny and fresh, still a Marvel movie.

See It.