I think if you were to go back and read every review I've done since I started this thing over five years ago, the phrase you'd find most often coming from me would be: "I'm so tired of superhero movies." This hasn't changed. Keeping up with Marvel and DC is exhausting... and I don't even like them that much. I see them because most of them get positive reviews and there is a through storyline. But I don't really buy them. I don't re-watch all of them when the next one arrives. I just see them and wait a couple months for the next inevitable movie. And while I'm still very VERY tired of of the Marvel Extended Universe... one thing that has also remained consistent is how much Thor and Hulk suck. They're the two worst superheros that Marvel has offered us so far and their standalone movies have been terrible. Yes, it was a great idea to make Hulk Mark Ruffalo and cease and desist all Hulk movies. Yes, Chris Hemsworth brings some much needed charisma to the character of Thor and he works well within the group... but his solo movies have been terribly underwhelming. I mentioned earlier that I see positively rated Marvel films... I didn't see Thor: The Dark World and I don't care to. However, Thor: Ragnarok, with its impressive 93% on Rotten Tomaotes, stands as not just the best Thor movie (obviously), but one of the best Marvel movies to date.
Here's how I knew Thor: Ragnarok was going to be a good movie: a man by the name of Taiki Waititi. Unfamiliar with this guy? You shouldn't be. He's an actor/director with a sense of humor akin to Flight of the Conchords (in fact, he's most often worked with Jemaine Clement and even directed four episodes of the Flight of the Conchords TV show). He's also directed one of the funniest underrated comedies in the last five years-- What We Do in the Shadows (he also stars). If you haven't seen this movie, then I suggest you seek it out as soon as possible because it's brilliant. His last film, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, I haven't actually seen yet, but was also met with critical success. It's this history of touching films mixed with a unique sense of humor that landed him the job directing the third solo Thor film. And boy, did Marvel make the right decision. His brand of humor, mixed with his innovative and relaxed style of directing has produced one of the most fun Marvel movies ever made, next to Guardians of the Galaxy.
In fact, the tone of Thor: Ragnarok is more similar to an 80s classic film Big Trouble in Little China, mixed with GotG (Waititi even admits that Big Trouble in Little China was the main inspiration for this film). Thor is back in Asgard when Loki (Tom Hiddleston) returns, as well as Hela (Cate Blanchett), Thor and Loki's long lost evil sister who just so happens to be the Goddess of Death. She returns to rule Asgard... as well as the rest of the universe. She destroys Thor's hammer and banishes Thor and Loki to a remote garbage planet run by The Grandmaster (a very welcome Jeff Goldblum). Thor is enslaved and forced to fight gladiator-style for entertainment when he runs into an old Avenger buddy of his-- Hulk (Ruffalo). Together the two of them, and an Asgard refugee, Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), have to escape from the planet, get to Asgard to save the land and the people. There's a lot happening in the film, but it always seems very relaxed and willing to go with the flow. There are rarely any serious moments and when there are, they're always broken up by a bit of humorous levity. Waititi even voices the character of Korg, who is like having a Conchords comic relief character, who looks like a rock monster, along for the ride.
Waititi claims that nearly 80% of the dialogue was improvised in order to create a "loose and collaborative mood" among the cast as well as showcase Hemsworth's comedic skills, which is something we rarely get to see with him. This plays to the strengths of the film as it appears everyone is having a great time-- which translates over to the audience. Even when there's imminent danger on the horizon, there is still a quip or a visual gag to accompany it so we don't forget the type of movie we're here to see. This doesn't mean that there aren't stellar performances. Hemsworth, finally free from the chains of a script is hilarious. He channels his inner Starlord and has a lot more fun with the character, almost reinventing who we've come to know as Thor. Hiddleston as Loki is also a welcome return, especially as an ally (somewhat) because he's able to keep the story always on its toes. He is, after all, the God of Mischief. Blanchett is superb as the villain Hela. She's pure evil, but she doesn't ham it up and over play it as it would've been very easy to do. But, clearly, the winner here for favorite character has to go to Goldblum. He hasn't lost his comedic touch and even though he's a slime, he's still a Goldblum-esque slime.
The standout of the movie, I'm sure most would agree, is Thomson's Valkyrie. She's a strong female character, and flawed in a way that doesn't showcase weakness for the sake of weakness. If anyone working for Marvel is smart (and they've already proven they can be...), they'll incorporate her character into every MEU film from here until she's ready to walk away from the role. Hell, she should get her own damn movie. Her storyline, while pretty fleshed out, is so good it still made me want more. Then again, Marvel is refusing to give Black Widow her own movie, so who the hell knows.
The rest of the movie is just fun. I think it would behoove the studio to take more risks with comedic directors. We've seen that these guys know how to tell a story and they know how to bring a freshness to an already tiring genre. They keep it light and fun and provide a living comic book (emphasis on comic). James Gunn has already proven this is a good idea with GotG. Waititi's strengths don't only lie with comedy, however. You can tell from just watching the film that he's very detail oriented. There are shots in the film that are awe-inspiring. There's a flashback battle of a hoard of Valkyries riding flying horses (I say flying horses because I'm not sure what the plural of Pegasus would be. Pegasai?) toward Hela in an epic battle sequence that's one of the coolest shots in a Marvel movie to date. He also didn't appear to accept cheap CGI. Hulk has always looked fake. Massive battle sequences involving alien-ish characters can get muddled with CGI and take the realism out of the situation. Waititi's film has maybe one or two blemishes that are so slight, they're damn near blink-and-you'll-miss-it. And hell, the dude got to use a Led Zeppelin song (the very apt "Immigrant Song"). Try and think of the last movie who got the rights to use one of their songs. Don't worry I'll wait.
Look, no Marvel movie is ever going to convert me into a superfan. I didn't grow up reading comic books and it's just not my thing. But, I do appreciate a good film. I can appreciate when Marvel is trying to up their game with each additional entry into the MEU. And I will continue seeing these positively reviewed films (and subsequently bitching incessantly about them) until they either stop (won't happen) or I go insane. Thor: Ragnarok may not be the very best film Marvel has released, but it's certainly in the top five and it's miles and miles better than any standalone Hulk or Thor entry we've recieved thus far. What else is nice, is the film is also in the top five most entertaining movies I've seen this entire year. Whether you're a superhero nut, a casual fan, or just a person who appreciates a fun film... Thor: Ragnarok definitely has something for everyone. Put your preconceived notions about Thor (and Hulk) away for about two hours and you'll be just as impressed as I was.
B+
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