+ Best Crowd-pleaser of the Year + Best Big Hit Movie of the Year
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| One of the colorful and quite simply amazing-looking posters for Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok |
The god of thunder learns that he has a sister, that she is the goddess of death, - and that she is on her way to Asgard to wreak the mythic havoc called Ragnarok, before beginning her plans to conquer more planets.
Thor returns in his third movie, which is written by Eric Pearson (Agent Carter (2015-16)), Craig Kyle (Planet Hulk (2010, video)) and Christopher Yost (Thor: The Dark World (2013)), based on Marvel comics by Stan Lee (Silver Surfer (1982)), Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby (Super Powers (1984)) and directed by Taika Waititi (Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)). It marks a radical shift for the Marvel character, as the media giant has gone with a new director, unproven in the mega-movie business; Waititi is a Maori New-Zealander known for some fairly low-budgeted comedies, especially his break-through vampire comedy What We Do in the Shadows (2014).
The wedding is blessed in this instance, as Thor: Ragnarok leaves the murky nonsense of the terrible Thor: The Dark World (2013) behind and gushes forth with a new-found purpose. The Ragnarok title could have indicated another dark, probing chapter, - but the film (thankfully) is anything but. The franchise seems to have taken obvious note of the popular and critical enthusiasm for James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and its colorful, fun-filled space escapism and takes Thor in a similar direction that's almost entirely set in space, full of adventure, a buddy-comedy element and a nostalgic throwback style that is light-years away from the gloomy, mostly Earth-set previous Thor movies. The uninteresting Natalie Portman romance is also thrown out the window without any explanation.
The style is one that embraces the campier, brightly colored looks of Flash Gordon (1980), which Waititi indeed made his department heads watch for the development of Thor: Ragnarok. As a result, it sure is fun to look at, and the film's first class effects are often also somehow enlivened with a quality that makes the well-versed movie buff think of lively 1980s genre fare. The film is definitely worth watching in 3D, if you can.
The story is set up solidly: Chris Hemsworth (Ghostbusters (2016)) is again impressively buff (there's naturally a bare chest scene to prove it) and much more engaging and likable here than in the previous films in my opinion. Cate Blanchett (Little Fish (2005)) gives an electric, forceful performance as Hela, the film's villain. The film's fun factor really thrives as Thor arrives to the planet Sakaar, where Jeff Goldblum (The Switch (2010)) is the Grand Master, an eccentric, capricious, sexually ambiguous ruler in hilarious garbs and hair and makeup. Goldblum, who himself was something of an 1980s icon, especially due to his incredible starring turn in David Cronenberg's great The Fly (1986), seems just perfect in the film's arguably funniest part. Thor here also reunites with his Avengers colleague, the Hulk/Bruce Banner, and more fun ensues. Tessa Thompson (Selma (2014)) is good as another new character, the capable Valkyrie.
My only real qualm with Thor: Ragnarok is that it unfortunately gets a bit overlong. There's many characters, and the Sakaar section, though fun, maybe is just a bit too long. Karl Urban's (Star Trek Beyond (2016)) part as Blanchett's uneasy henchman isn't that important yet fills quite a bit. Just before the final battle, the film had already filled me up, and that isn't supposed to happen. Idris Elba's (The Take (2016)) Heimdall character pops up a few times but doesn't really have much to do here. On the other hand Tom Hiddleston's (Exhibition (2013)) Loki gets plenty of screen time, - and perhaps his and Thor's dynamic has about run its course now, I'm thinking.
A few more great things about Thor: Ragnarok needs highlighting yet:
Mark Mothersbaugh's (The Lego Movie (2014)) score is infused with the same 1980s vigor that the visual side reflects, and it's a joy to listen to. The film (wisely) doesn't copy the Guardians of the Galaxy recipe of a huge, hit-filled soundtrack, which makes Mothersbaugh's job so much more vital. - One song does play a few times in the film, though, - as well as in its trailer, - and it's the one Waititi infused his original video pitch with, to strike the film's tone; it is Led Zeppelin's great 1970 Immigrant Song.
The film also has a really funny cameo scene with Matt Damon (The Martian (2015)), Sam Neill (In Her Skin (2009)) and Luke Hemsworth (Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms (2012), TV-series), - Chris Hemsworth's lesser known brother. And finally you can look forward to director Waititi's motion-capture and voice performance as Korg, - a huge stone creature that the playful filmmaker lends a very funny voice performance.
Related posts:
Taika Waititi: 2017 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]
2017 in films - according to Film Excess
Eagle vs Shark (2007) - Waititi's witty if flawed debut
Mentioned franchise: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) - Gunn returns Marvel's top franchise in fine shape
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) - Get giddy with this pretty awesome, the silliest summer blockbuster of the 2014
Watch a trailer for the film here
Cost: 180 mil. $
Box office: 739.2 mil. $ and counting
= Still uncertain - but already a big hit
[Thor: Ragnarok premiered 10 October (Los Angeles) and runs 130 minutes. Alan Taylor, the director of the previous Thor movie, slammed the door to Marvel in his exit, stating that his film was turned into a different film in post production by the company. Star Hemsworth requested Marvel that shooting for Ragnarok take place in his native Australia, and with the choice of Waititi, the shot was planned there: Shooting took place in Australia and Atlanta, Georgia from July - October 2016 with additional scenes shot in July 2017. The film opened #1 to a huge 122.7 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it has so far grossed a hefty 247.2 mil. $. The film's 2nd and 3rd biggest markets are China with 107.9 mil. $ so far and the UK with 34 mil. $ so far. The film's gross already far exceeds the Thor (2011, 449.3 mil. $) and Thor: The Dark World (2013, 644.6 mil. $) grosses. Audiences love the film; it has already entered IMDb's Top 250 at #189, between The Wages of Fear (1953) and Hotel Rwanda (2004). Waititi is not yet engaged for another Thor movie. Thor: Ragnarok is certified fresh at 92 % with a 7.5/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
What do you think of Thor: Ragnarok?
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