FOLIO
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better time at the movies in 2017 than Thor: Ragnarok. You expect the grandiose visual effects and action, and the story, which stands alone and works within the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). What you don’t expect is the humor. One-liners, physical comedy and even some Avengers jabs make the movie hilarious from start to finish, and easily the most enjoyable MCU entry since the first Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014.
After the hysterical, action-packed opening sequence, set to the tune of Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) visit their father Odin (Anthony Hopkins). The sons are warned that the prophecy of Ragnarok is imminent, which means the destruction of their home planet of Asgard. The destroyer is Odin’s first-born, the goddess of death Hela (Cate Blanchett), who’s so powerful, she smashes Thor’s hammer with one hand.
After losing the first battle with Hela, Thor and Loki are put on a planet full of junk. Thor is taken as a slave by fellow Asgardian Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), who left Asgard years ago. Meanwhile, Loki makes nice with the man who runs the planet, the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum) and, as we know, Loki is not to be trusted. About an hour into the film, the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) shows up; new friendships are not easily formed, and total chaos reigns supreme in the most entertaining ways.
The big Hollywood production was directed by Taika Waititi, who made last year’s superb New Zealand indie comedy Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Many MCU films have had humor, but none has been the flat-out comedy like this. Props to Hemsworth, who’s in just about every scene, for his impeccable comic timing, and to Waititi, for taking what could’ve been a typical superhero movie and jolting it with a sense of pure joy.
The tone is set early. Thor has a heart-to-heart with fiery baddie Surtur (voice of Clancy Brown). Thor’s wrapped in chains and dangling in mid-air, so he’s slowly spinning in circles—every time Surtur gets to his menacing message, Thor tells him to “wait, hold on!” so he can finish spinning and face Surtur again to hear the rest. Then Thor calls for his hammer—big mistake—which makes for another awkward moment.
Thor: Ragnarok has a few surprises, delightful cameos (Matt! Benedict! Idris! Stan!), and lots of visual dazzle. If anything, it’s too much—I saw it in IMAX 3D, and there are some overwhelming visuals. A regular 3D screen, or even a regular screen, would suit this just fine. Don’t miss it, whatever screen you find!
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