THOR: RANGNAROK – Review

Don’t go into hibernation yet, all you Marvel movie maniacs! Face front, because for the first time we’ll take another trip into the multi-connected film universe begun way back in 2008 (can it really be a decade next May). Now, this past spring we took another joyride through the cosmos in GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2. Then, just a couple of months later, the web-slinger headlined his first solo (he did get some mentoring from Iron Man) outing (a team-up between Marvel Studios and Sony) in the entertaining SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING. So, is this new flick another big many-hero slugfest? Yes, a bit, as was with CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR, but just one hero’s name precedes the colon, the mighty Thor. He’s overdue since it’s been over four years since THOR: THE DARK WORLD. During that time he helped saved the Earth once more as a big part of AVENGERS: THE AGE OF ULTRON, and almost a year ago he paid a visit to a certain NYC-based doctor. In this new adventure he’s needed back on his home world to prevent Asgard’s prophesied demise in THOR: RAGNAROK.

As we revisit that golden-haired thunder-god, the massive molten demon Surtur is ready to hasten that feared apocalypse once he’s eliminated his chained-up prisoner. Ah, but the son of Odin is not so quickly dispatched, especially when he regains his enchanted Uru hammer. After many loud requests, the Rainbow Bridge portal finally opens, sending Thor back to very different Asgard. For one thing, Heimdall (Idris Elba) is missing, and manning the big sword that unlocks the entrance is the slow-witted Skurge (Karl Urban). Arriving at the royal palace, Thor is stunned to see his widowed father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) surrounded by maidens during a celebration of …Loki? Sensing a deception, Thor forces his father to reveal his true form, that of his scheming half-brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Thor demands to know where their father is, so the thwarted Loki opens a gateway to New York City. With the help of another Marvel hero, the two locate the “all-father”. As the clock ticks down on the aged patriarch’s life he warns them of the coming of an older, unknown to the sons, sister. Odin then passes to another plane of existence just before the arrival of the lady in question, Hela, Queen of the Dead (Cate Blanchett). The men are little match for her awesome power (Thor’s hammer is her first casualty). Hela announces her intent to rule Asgard, and as she enters the portal to the realm, the duo try to hitch a ride. But they are easily tossed aside mid-flight by Hela,and Thor lands in a trash heap on the planet Sakaar. When a group of scavengers overwhelm him, a glider lands, piloted by the warrior/mercenary Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson). She claims Thor as her property and, after attaching an electrical device to his throat, drags him away to be purchased by the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum), who runs a battle contest in a massive arena, much like the emperors of ancient Rome, to placate the oppressed citizenry. After Thor dispatches several warriors, the GM decides that he must face his “champion”. Much to the Asgardian’s delight, he finds himself facing off against a very hostile Hulk. Perhaps if he can revert back to Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), Thor can convince him to help find a way off the planet and return to his home world before Hela destroys it.

As with the previous films, Hemsworth plays the title role with an affable bravado, though now it’s more of a cocky comic confidence. This time there seems to be more brain along with the brawn, tinged with a charming self-mocking tone. During “hammer-time”, Hemsworth shows us a hero more man than god, as he faces a really formidable foe. That worthy adversary is his older sis, played by a very sultry Blanchett, the Marvel “movie-verse’s” first female super-villain (ess). As she sashay’s towards her prey, Hela may be the most alluring “bad girl” since Julie Newmar toyed with the Caped Crusader on TV over 50 years ago. There’s a regal air to her, demanded to be worshiped or else. She’s a worthy evil successor to Hiddleston’s Loki, who’s got a bit more of the mischief than murder in him. Plus there’s more of his scathing sarcastic wit here as he becomes a very reluctant hero. One great new hero introduced is the Valkyrie, played by the talented Thompson as the queen of hard-drinking, bad a*# biker babes (though I wouldn’t call her that). There’s a touch of sadness to her as she guzzles down a bottle like a weary Western gunfighter (Gene Wilder’s the Waco Kid comes immediately to mind). When Thor finally convinces her to return home, her spirit emerges from a fog, revitalized. Ruffalo gets to emote a lot more as the big green guy, actually conversing with Thor like two ole’ pals bellying up to the bar.The Hulk resists going back to Banner, and returning to Earth where he faces fear and hate from many (he’s beloved on Sakaar). When Bruce does return, he’s near panic, uneasy in this alien land and their inhabitants. Especially that world’s leader, played by the scene-stealing Goldblum as a fast-talking, vain con-man. The Grandmaster’s a devious, snarky Oz, ready to pull the rug out from anyone. Urban is terrific as Hela’s thick-headed henchman (dubbed the Executioner by her) who may have more than a bit of good still in him. Elba’s more of a Robin-Hood style man of action this time out, while Hopkins lends the proper gravitas to his leader turned Obi-Wan sage dispense of advice and inspiration.

In a true example of “thinking outside the box” Marvel Studios has enlisted the director of two of the best comedies of the last five years (WHAT WE DO IN SHADOWS and HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE, the gifted Taika Waititi, The directors of the previous two Thor flicks had done epics and sword-slashing adventure, while Waititi is known for smart, quirky comedy. Here he delivers all the big action and fantasy sequences that fans of the franchise would expect, but he makes great use of the quiet time between bombasts to explore the character’s whimsy. It’s been reported that 80% was improvised, which somehow gives this big budget blockbuster the “loosy-goosey” feel of a rag-tag indie project. Unfortunately the style doesn’t always work for the two competing story lines: Thor and pals in a galactic SPARTICUS and Hela decimating Asgard. The Hela stuff’s good, but not as much fun as Hulk playfully sparring with Valkyrie. That’s not to say it’s all slapstick and giggles. Marvel’s taken a rap for not taking chances, afraid to eliminate characters. Not the case here, it’s truly a “game changer”, Thor’s never gonna’ be the same. The effects are top of the line particularly with the Hulk, Ruffalo’s performance is enhanced, not smothered by the motion capture CGI. We can still see him in there. Special kudos to the art direction team, who re-created much of the eye-dazzling spectacle created by artist Jack “King” Kirby (he’d be 100 this year) in those original comic books. Unlike a “distinguished competitor’s” films, this flick pops with color in tribute to the fun sci-fi popcorn epics of the 70’s and 80’s (FLASH GORDON, KRULL, etc.). The icing on this confetti cake may be the weird and wonderful score by Mark Mothersbaugh, very different from the typical adventure, string and brass background tracks. With its offbeat attitude and inspired direction, THOR: RANGNAROK is certainly the best, most entertaining, and funniest of the Thunder God’s solo adventures. Excelsior and pass the popcorn!

4 Out of 5