Film: Thor Ragnarok

GENRE: Action

RATING: PG-13 for violence
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 10 minutes

STARRING: Chris Hemsworth (Avengers, Rush, Ghostbusters)

Tom Hiddleston (Night Manager), Cate Balnchett (Elizabeth, LOTR)

DIRECTOR: Taika Waititi (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Eagle vs Shark)

WRITERS: Craig Kyle & Christopher Yost (Avengers cartoons)

Eric Pearson (Agent Carter)

PLOT: Thor is captured and reunited with the Hulk while trying to save his home of Asgard from the Goddess of Death.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Liked the first Thor, hated the second film.

STORY STUFF: That was mighty entertaining. Definitely one of the best Marvel films. The ads made me worried, as I didn’t care much about the fate of Asgard, but everything really clicked (even though it’s a bit on the long side). One of the best elements is the humour that has been infused into the film. Lots of laughs. The second Thor was dull and serious; this one was a treat.

ACTING STUFF: You can tell that Hemsworth is having a blast. He’s done comedy before and he gets to shine even more this time around. Everyone has great material to work with; well, maybe not Idris Elba. One of the funniest new characters was Korg, a rock monster. I spent awhile trying to place his voice but it turned out to be the director. There are also a few cameos that I hope no one spoils for you.

ARTISTIC STUFF: Lots of great action sequences, per usual. The colour palette of the film was a little too much for my taste but definitely made it look different from the usual Marvel offerings. The film also made good use of Led Zepplin’s ‘Immigrant Song’. The goofy synth score music got a little much at times though. But these are minor quibbles.  

VERDICT: Four and half stars out of five

SEE IT IF: You don’t take your Marvel movies too seriously

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Murder on the Orient Express