Thor: Ragnarok (2017) / Action-Fantasy

MPAA Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive material.
Running Time: 130 min.

Cast:  Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Tessa Thompson, Cate Blanchett, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Hopkins, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Taika Waititi (voice), Rachel House
Small role: Benedict Cumberbatch, Clancy Brown (voice), Sam Neill, Matt Damon, Stan Lee, Scarlett Johansson
Director: Taika Waititi
Screenplay: Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle, Christopher L. Yost
Review published January 3, 2017

Thor: Ragnarok sees the emergence of Hela (Blanchett, Carol), Goddess of Death, who ends up defiantly defeating her brothers, formerly exiled Thor (Hemsworth, Ghostbusters) and Loki (Hiddleston, Kong: Skull Island), and making her way to Asgard in order to lay dominion after the death of Odin (Hopkins, Noah), kicking forth Ragnarok, aka the fated apocalypse of Norse mythology.  Meanwhile, Mjolnir-less Thor ends up becoming a sort of cosmic gladiator on Sakaar, a faraway planet run by the Grandmaster (Goldblum, Independence Day: Resurgence), who pits him against the fiercest opponent in the galaxy, fellow Avenger, Hulk (Ruffalo, Now You See Me 2).  To save Asgard, and the known universe, from Hela's grasp, Thor must claw his way back out of that planet and return to the fray, with help from his odd collection of allies.

Directed by Kiwi funnyman Taika Waititi (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, What We Do in the Shadows), Thor: Ragnarok is the most full-blown comedy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (though, I realize, that some may argue for Guardians of the Galaxy for that honor -- one could rightly call this Asgardians of the Galaxy for following that film's lead in terms of space comedies fueled by action montages set to a soundtrack of oldies), which is already a collection of films known for liberal amounts of comic relief amid the tenser action moments. 

It's largely seen as a welcome breath of fresh air, as the prior two Thor films are considered by many to be near the bottom of the pack when it comes to the quality of the MCU filmography, with fans mostly liking those predecessors for their comedic moments and growing restless when things get too dark.  Built on crazy special effects work and even zanier antics, Waititi and screenwriters Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle, and Christopher Yost avoid these lulls, perpetually pushing forward lots of in-jokes for MCU fans, and plenty of spoof-tinged moments to draw you into the peculiar world of comedy contained within a relatively basic plot structure. 

Amazingly, despite the hilarious tone, Thor: Ragnarok doesn't feel like a break from the MCU, as all of the films thus far have emphasized comedy as a vital component of the storytelling.  Underneath the ridiculous antics, snarky bickering, and tongue-in-cheek quips, its a relatively traditional Marvel film.  Powered by a Norse anthem from Led Zeppelin in their "Immigrant Song" in a couple of key sequences, Thor: Ragnarok never lacks for energy or vibrancy.  The lavish set designs and garish costumes also add to the sense of a newer style befitting the cosmic nature of the adventure.

Though Chris Hemsworth continues to prove he's a comedically talented actor on film, there's plenty of room for other actors to steal the show for a spell. This may be the first time in his cinematic history that the Hulk is an interesting character that is fun to watch when he isn't just used for rage and action.  Seeing Hulk remain Hulk in down time is the nuance he needs to achieve a better balance than just watching Mark Ruffalo play a mega-genius mostly unconvincingly.  Both he and Thor sat out of Captain America: Civil War for this adventure, and while they weren't missed in that film, their presence will likely be much desired in future entries, as their banter and interplay in this version that injects some energy into their antics rejuvenates stale ideas.  

Tessa Thompson (War on Everyone) makes a splash as the vicious lush, Valkyrie, who is the sole remaining warrior of a class of female fighters once defeated at the hands of Hela, binge drinking her way as a bounty hunter, rounding up warriors fo fight on Sakaar for the Grandmaster, played by a suitably flamboyant Jeff Goldblum, who milks each line for maximum comedic effect.  Idris Elba (Star Trek Beyond) gets to impose his formidable presence as Heimdall, who just might be the most heroic of Asgard's elite warriors.  Blanchett gets to chew the scenery as Hela, in all of her sinister despicableness.  There are a few funny cameo appearances as well, to spice up the hilarious momentum of the overall lark.

Although it plays as irreverent fun, there is some thematic material underneath that is somewhat heavier.  During the course of his adventure, Thor must learn where the source of his power comes from, as well as what's most important about his home land of Asgard.  The silly tone, despite a few slower moments, never quite waivers, though the film does occasionally stumble from making its dialogue a bit too sitcom in delivery, offering typical uncomfortable asides and awkward reactions, rather than the natural flow of conversation among characters that despise one another. 

Though the Marvel films always seem to cautiously be made by a committee, one gets the sense from the results that Waititi had been allowed much more leniency with the Thor franchise (his trademark humor, and casting some of his favorite actors from New Zealand, including himself as the voice of the glib mo-cap gladiator Korg), perhaps a result of it being a flagging arm of the cinematic universe, rather than a flagship.

Thor: Ragnarok is an absurd film, but made by those who know it is, and know we know. Whereas the first two Thor films push forward jokes about the god being a fish out of water on Earth, Ragnarok puts the fish into a much larger ocean full of far more off-kilter denizens to swim among.  It asks us to join in on the fun, and with Waititi at the helm, it's hard not to be swayed by the humor and panache.  It's more of a casual party of persistent distraction than a spellbinding tale of inspiration, but it's not a bad thing to blow off some steam once in a while.

Qwipster's rating:

©2017 Vince Leo