Thor is among the most likable of the Marvel characters because Hemsworth infuses him with self deprecating humor. This time Director Taika Wiatiti lets Thor go for even bigger laughs which screenwriter, Eric Pearson, (Marvel One Shots) helps with clever repartee. New Zealand director, Wiatiti knows something about comedy having previously directed the vampire- mockumentary What We Do in the Shadows. Wiatiti graphically shows his comic sensibility, by also taking on the role of Korg, one of Thor’s fellow prisoners who is made of granite, but delivers some of the funniest laugh-lines with an understated Kiwi accent that sounds like Flight of the Conchords redux! And Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster is a hoot.
Ragnarok doesn’t break new ground. It exactly follows the Marvel formula with just a few twists. In this case the biggest twist comes in the form of the biggest Avenger, Hulk. Mark Ruffalo gets a lot more screen time. He wanted to do more than just yell and grunt. So he and Thor talk when thrown together and you get to know a little about what makes the big guy tick.
But the majority of his action as well as his being green is all CG. For him it is easy being green. He never had to be put in makeup like the stage actresses who played lead in Wicked. He was fitted with a special black suit with computer points for motion capture. He just had to jump around to get the job done. The gladiator sequence with a cast of thousands pitting Thor against Hulk is one of the entertaining centerpieces of the film, if a bit too long.
Superhero movies rise and fall on the strength of the super-villains who must be vanquished before they decimate entire worlds. Cate Blanchett’s portrayal of Hela, the Goddess of Death, ensures this third installment of the Thor franchise will land among the best of the bunch. She makes the rest of the cast raise their game. Even without her skin tight black bodysuit and massive black antlers, Hela oozes danger, anger and the ultimate power of Evil and with a very sexy walk.
Hela has been imprisoned for an eternity, but once freed she’s itchy for revenge. Watch out Thor! Chris Hemsworth is back as the God of Thunder who knows how to bring the Hammer down on evil. Except this time he finds himself forced to save his home world of Asgard without his favorite tool. This movie delivers everything the fans expect from this franchise, meaning lots of action and a shot of a shirtless Hemsworth that lasts more than a few seconds.
Tom Hiddleston is back as Loki, still full of mischief double-crossing his brother. Loki is less integral to the flow of the plot than in the previous installments, but he still shows up at crunch-time insuring his importance in the coming episodes.
Tess Thompson makes a strong entrance as the hard-drinking warrior, Valkyrie. She makes a memorable entrance to the franchise by taking a drunken pratfall off a ramp, but also being one tough brawd who more than makes her action chops known.
At the other end of the spectrum is Jeff Goldblum as The Grandmaster. Even though The Grandmaster is a Hunger Games spin-off character, pitting gladiators in life and death games for entertainment, Goldblum makes him vile and laughable at the same time. He simply steals every scene with well written dialogue delivered as only Goldblum can. Despite the predictability, Thor: Ragnarok is just what Stan Lee (yes, he’s here for a fun looney cameo), Jack Kirby and Larry Lieber created decades ago in comic-books.
Benedict Cumberbatch also turns up for one quick scene as Dr. Strange who, unfortunately, didn’t over-stay his welcome.There are even some surprising cameos. Look for Matt Damon, another Hemsworth brother (Luke) and Sam Neill turning up in Asgard performing in a hilarious staging of a play about Thor and Loki. Anthony Hopkins phoned in his role as Odin being in the film for just a few minutes. We think we could almost see his cue cards just off camera. Idris Elba as the warrior Heimdall is the most underused actor of the lot. He actually is just in this movie to carry a sword. But his glowing golden eyes are striking.
Wiatiti gives us much more than special effects to treat the eyes, especially the bright, garish colors of the constantly changing costumes. The sets are massive but become kind of cheesy, being too big and all too colorful, like the rainbow bridge and the flying ships in battle.
It’s still thrilling and fun, with entertaining satire thrown in for good measure. Will Thor’s prized tool come back in this one? Maybe. Maybe not. But we suggest you bring your hammer down for a ticket to this one.
Walt Disney Pictures 130 Minutes PG-13
