An epic conclusion to the Thor trilogy! Thor Ragnarok movie is fun, adventurous and action-packed. Just like Marvel movies generally are. Marvel plays their cohesive universe card once again, this time bringing Hulk to the vanguard to complement the story. We get our very own cinematic version of Thor vs Hulk, which even though stays the highlight of the movie isn’t the foundation on which the flick is built. The clash appears to be a fair fight and the movie chugs forward like it was supposed to.
Marvel, the pro it is at aggrandizing events and helming great stories, releases a movie that’s built more on fun than on dead action. We have seen it grow like that, but in their past creations, emotions used to linger around a lot. In Thor Ragnarok movie, however, with its gigantic plot waiting at the anvil, there is literally no time for it. It is focused more on entertainment and tries to cut short emotional stuff.
Direction of Thor Ragnarok Movie
Marvel has always made great investments. This time the crosshair was on Taika Waititi as the rest of the universe sat in anticipation. MCU never fails to identify talent in great men. Probably that’s how and why Marvel Studios always stays ahead of the curve.
Hulk like real fire. Like, raging fire. Thor like smouldering fire.
Taika does justice to Thor. He knows what he is doing and moves around beautifully betwixt Hela’s badassery to Sakaar, a garbage planet where Thor gets stranded. He runs parallel stories without disconnecting you, lets Thor shine out as the protagonist he was meant to be, without belittling other Marvel characters.
Taika Waititi has plenty of screentime stored for characters that were forever meant to belong to Thor’s world, allowing characters like Jane Foster not be missed. There is theatrics galore, plenty of wow moments to leave you wanting to see more, and music that will forever ring in your ears whenever you will think about this movie. A wink at Led Zeppelin‘s badass remix of Immigrant Song.
The score by Mark Mothersbaugh is amazing, puts you in the right mood. It complements the frames, and lets you truly enjoy the movie.
Grandmaster (Spoilers)
Jeff Goldblum‘s portrayal of Grandmaster is hands down, one of the most memorable characters he has ever played. You are going to remember his flair and delivery when you look back. He becomes successful in creating a character you cannot hate even though he stands on the wrong pedestal against the Lord nay…God of Thunder.
Grandmaster: I love when you come to visit, 142. You keep bringing me just the best stuff. Whenever we get to talk to Topaz about Scrapper-142, what do I always say? She is, and it starts with a B.
Topaz: Trash.
Grandmaster: No. Not trash. Were you waiting to just call her that? It doesn’t start with a B!
Korg
Korg voiced by Taika Waititi himself was a chucklesome addition to the story. His voice alone will make you laugh.
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Korg. I am kind of like the leader in here. I am made of rocks, as you can see, but don’t let that intimidate you. You don’t need to be afraid, unless you are made of scissors! Just a little Rock, Paper, Scissors joke for you.
The Kronan species is slapped right from the comics but is given an amusing perspective. The fact that he is going to reappear in MCU, in the long run, is a fact that’s worth rejoicing.
Valkyrie is an interesting addition to the story as well. Played by Tessa Thompson her presence made us overlook Jane Foster, and parting with her character, in fact, didn’t actually hurt. Also, life is all about moving on, isn’t it?
Mark Ruffalo literally aggrandizes everything with his presence. Bruce Banner suddenly becomes funnier with his memory jetlag, and flings at us some rib-tickling jests.
Welcoming Loki to the Other Side
I can’t believe you’re alive! I saw you die. I mourned you. I cried for you.
While a lot of Loki’s perversion disappears with the passing away of Odin, it doesn’t feel right when we don’t see him do something mischievous. Even though he tries, Thor stays ahead of him. We don’t see him in that usual mindnumbing avatar that we were so accustomed to. Even though it wouldn’t be wrong to say that it was a relief watching him drift towards the good side. But as hinted from the looks, he gave to one of the infinity stones, I guess it would be too soon to comment.
Yes! That’s what it feels like!
The universe becomes further taut when we see Doctor Strange in the opening scene. He helps Thor locate his father.
It is amazing how Marvel packs entertainment inside another capsule of entertainment. We get a mini-movie of sorts, like a short film, that’s as congenial as their movies are.
Thor: No, I don’t have a phone but you could have sent me an electronic letter. It’s called an email.
Dr. Strange: Yeah. Do you have a computer?
Thor: No. What for?
That’s what they do with their end credits that tell us there is something always worth waiting for.
Some Issues
Comedy mostly takes the pain and viciousness away. That’s what happened to the Loki storyline. Following that logic, even Hela portrayed by Cate Blanchett becomes less intimidating even though she housed peerless powers. Her badass portrayal feels short lived. The final battle doesn’t feel like a final boss fight though.
The music even though how awesome it sounds takes away the noise that powerful blows make that used to so subtly place you on the battlefield.
Gardens and goblets? Peace offerings? All his deeds of peace. None of what he did to get it!
Skurge (Karl Urban) another one of those characters that we saw take shape in Thor Ragnarok movie appears to be an opportunist. Even though Karl aces it, the story seems to be doing him a poetic justice. In that wrapping closure, we find him ending up being very trivial, cliched and of little value.
The Final Verdict
Thor Ragnarok movie thrives on humour for most of its runtime. It stays away from gravity when it comes to showing thoughtful drama. That being said, it screams fun in every frame opening gates to future sequels. It allows Thor to move on, introduces new characters to the storyline, thereby helping MCU to grow even more.
I choose to run towards my problems, and not away from them. Because’s that what heroes do.
While the movie is more inclined towards entertainment, it doesn’t compromise on the plot and keeps you well riveted to your seats. There is something in every frame, and the pace is just right. Great editing there!
It’s amazing how MCU is growing with every cinematic release, the universe expands. The way it accomplishes it is simply alluring.
It wouldn’t be wrong to easily count Thor Ragnarok as the finest Thor movie in the entire trilogy. Can’t wait to see how the Avengers are going to fare against their toughest nemesis Thanos for whom the stage is set.
Check out the trailer of Thor Ragnarok movie here:
Thor Ragnarok
Pros
- Outstanding Direction
- Expansion with Great Characters
- Great Plot
- Brilliant Editing
Cons
- Inclined for Entertainment Alone
- Skurge's pointless run
- Action and Music's Dramatization
