Today’s quick review: Thor: Ragnarok. Escaping her prison at last, Hela (Cate Blanchett), the goddess of death, returns to conquer Asgard. Stripped of his hammer and enslaved on the alien planet Sakaar, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) must defeat the Grandmaster’s (Jeff Goldblum) champion The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), recruit the aid of his treacherous brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), and break free of captivity to beat Hela and save the realm.
Thor: Ragnarok is a superhero action comedy based on the Marvel comics. The third Thor solo film, Ragnarok diverges from the previous two movies by almost entirely dropping its Earth setting. Instead, Ragnarok takes a cue from Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy movies and heads to space, blending Norse mythology with colorful space opera and plenty of Marvel humor.
Thor: Ragnarok delivers action in spades. The fight scenes are special effects extravaganzas that never miss a chance to drop in a little comedy. The film gives its action an extra kick with striking camera shots, judicious use of slow motion, and one or two well-chosen soundtrack picks. The choreography is not as tight as in films like The Winter Soldier, but Thor: Ragnarok makes up for this defecit with style and spectacle.
Thor: Ragnarok also goes farther with its comedy than just about any other Marvel film. Even its most serious moments are tempered with humor, and the film constantly plays with the viewer’s expectations. Chris Hemsworth’s Thor is a goofy, good-natured hero who fumbles around without losing his sense of competence. He has excellent chemistry with the rest of the cast, particularly Tom Hiddleston’s sarcastic, charismatic Loki.
Ragnarok is more of an ensemble film than the previous Thor movies. Cate Blanchett joins the cast as Hela, a suitably formidable villain. Jeff Goldblum steals the show as the Grandmaster, the quirky proprietor of the arena on Sakaar. Mark Ruffalo reprises his role as Hulk, while Benedict Cumberbatch makes his second appearance as Doctor Strange. Other notables include Anthony Hopkins, Idris Elba, Karl Urban, and Tessa Thompson.
Rounding out the film’s positive qualities are its aesthetics. Thor: Ragnarok is a visually gorgeous movie, packed with birght colors, imaginative sets and costumes, and an 80s-style retro vibe. Though often chaotic and occasionally campy, Ragnarok’s visuals are one of its most distinctive features and help set the movie apart from a crowded genre. Likewise, the soundtrack is a catchy, synth-fueled affair by Mark Mothersbaugh.
However, Ragnarok’s strengths come with a price. The humor undermines the film’s most dramatic moments, and some of its most promising concepts are sold short for the sake of a gag. The film’s enormous cast and elaborate plot result in rushed pacing and the occasional plot hole. The film is also cavalier with existing characters, disregarding the supporting cast of previous films in favor of its many newcomers.
Thor: Ragnarok is an entertaining and visually impressive romp that is sure to please fans of the superhero genre. Though it has flaws in its pacing, its storytelling, and some of its action scenes, Thor: Ragnarok makes for an excellent popcorn film. Skip it only if you dislike the superhero genre or Marvel’s particular brand of humor. For another movie with a similar aesthetic, check out Guardians of the Galaxy.
8.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.0 for plentiful action, gorgeous visuals, a sprawling cast, and a great sense of humor.