Back in the first year of my blog, I reviewed "Thor: The Dark World". I wasn't a real fan of that film and didn't even give my review for it an introduction paragraph like I am here and usually try to do. "Thor: The Dark World" remains my least favorite Marvel Cinematic Universe film and is really the last in the franchise I had any hint of disappointment in. So when it came to the next Thor movie, I was cautiously optimistic. In comparison to Guardians of the Galaxy and Spider-Man, it was really my least anticipated Marvel film of this year, even behind other superhero films from the X-Men and DC universes. Still, the return of Mark Ruffalo's Hulk and major castings of actors like Cate Blanchett and Jeff Goldblum got me a little more excited, and the two trailers that came out shooed away any doubts I had about this film. And once it came out, reviews were saying it was not just another well received comic book movie this year but one of, if not the best, to come from the MCU. I try not to let sites like Rotten Tomatoes or reviews from professional critics sway my opinion, so I didn't want to go into this film with too high of expectations. Coming out of it, it was definitely one of the most fun and craziest films to come out of the MCU.
I think what makes this film so unique is how much different it is from the previous two Thor films, which is good and bad in some ways. Unlike the previous films, we spend very little time on Earth and there's no romantic subplot, now focusing mainly on Asgard and Sakaar. While the Thor films haven't given too much attention to the other main realms of Norse mythology, it was still nice to see some new environments.
One of the main points this film has gotten praise for is its comedy, and that's fair. There's plenty of laughs to be had in this film, but I'll admit I was worried about this aspect, especially during the opening scenes. When Thor's held captive by Surtur hanging on a chain and spinning around, his behavior was something I'd expect more from Deadpool than the God of Thunder. Maybe it just took me a bit to get the feel of the kind of comedy this film was giving us, as it didn't become too grating as it went on.
I'm not saying you can't be funny in a superhero movie, as it is a way of making sure your audience is entertained, but I feel action and drama are also important, which this film still delivers on. We have some good family drama when it comes to Thor, Odin, and Loki, which is expected from the past films. In this aspect, we probably have the best interaction yet between Chris Hemsworth's Thor and Tom Hiddleston's Loki. We get more of a feeling of their past together and I think their relationship has come full circle in some ways. Action wise, what really stood out for me was finally having a proper battle between Hulk and Thor that is really intense.
It's worth noting that "Ragnarok" is the conclusion to the trilogy of Thor films, the third character to finish one after Iron Man and Captain America. "Ragnarok" is in my opinion the best of the third films among the trilogies. It pays homages to moments from both the previous Thor movies, as well as both Avengers films. And not only that, but it's also somewhat of a dismantling of all those films and what they established for the characters. As Ragnarok is meant to be the end of Asgard, you truly feel that this film is the end of an era. While I still enjoyed "Civil War" more, that was partially an Avengers film as well as a Captain America one. In addition, while Iron Man 3 was intended to be Robert Downey Jr.'s last solo film, his future in the MCU was still up in the air at the time. Not only is "Ragnarok" truly Thor's movie, but it comes at a time where the heroes that started the MCU are almost out the door on the heels of "Infinity War" and Avengers 4.
Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston once again shine as the characters they began playing in 2011, so there's not much to say in that department.
Mark Ruffalo returns from "Age of Ultron" to play Bruce Banner and the Hulk, and it's much different from his previous appearances. Given the Hulk's film rights issues prevent us from getting another solo movie, Marvel has said that the character will be undergoing an arc beginning in this film and continuing in "Infinity War" and Avengers 4. Without spoiling too much, apparently Hulk hasn't turned back into Banner since the end of "Age of Ultron", and this sets up a major internal conflict Banner hasn't had yet. Previously, the Hulk we're used to is basically Banner either losing his temper and acting out of impulsive anger or Banner transforming and guiding Hulk into battle. But with how long the Hulk has remained in control, he's forming his own personality and finally talking more in the usual broken Hulk speech fashion. Banner's body is one of two minds, his own and the Hulk's; it's now a true battle for control with Banner worried that he may lose, and I really look forward to where the character goes next.
Of the newcomers that stand out, it's Cate Blanchett as Hela and Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie.
Right out of the gate, Hela proves herself as a formidable foe by breaking Mjolnir, making clear the kind of danger present. She's also well acted by Blanchett, and it's great showing from the first major female villain from an MCU film. I will say though that in terms of appearance and powers, she makes me think of a combination of Maleficent (with the horned helmet and green aura in her magic) and Ares from "Wonder Woman" (particularly the flying swords both of them can summon); not that that takes away from her character.
Of all the character arcs of this film, Thompson's Valkyrie goes through the biggest. She's a character with a dark past unwilling to face it until she realizes she has to. I think some people will see her as just the female lead or as a supportive role, but after watching her, what I see is a future major player in the MCU. As I said before, Hemsworth may be leaving just as Chris Evans and RDJ are. There's already potential Cap successors in Bucky and Falcon and it looks like Spider-Man will take Iron Man's place as the top dog, so who better to fill Thor's shoes than Valkyrie? In the comics right now, Jane Foster wields Mjolnir as the new Thor. In the MCU this isn't plausible because we're very unlikely to have Natalie Portman come back in the role and not only does Mjolnir function differently, it's been shattered (so sadly no chance of Cap being able to pick it up to fight Thanos). I don't think that matters though as Valkyrie proves in the film she is able to handle things well in her own right and I hope she continues to proves herself when she appears in "Infinity War" and beyond and that it could lead to her own film.
To sum things up, "Thor: Rangarok" not only serves a fitting end to the Thor trilogy but also hints at elements to the future, delivering a funny action-fueled ride, bringing us another successful adventure from the MCU.
My Personal Marvel Cinematic Universe Film Rankings:
1. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 22. Captain America: Civil War
3. Thor: Ragnarok
4. Avengers: Age of Ultron
5. Captain America: The Winter Soldier
6. The Avengers
7. Guardians of the Galaxy
8. Doctor Strange
9. Spider-Man: Homecoming
10. Ant-Man
11. Iron Man 3
12. Thor
13. Captain America: The First Avenger
14. Iron Man
15. The Incredible Hulk
16. Iron Man 2
17. Thor: The Dark World
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