I'm going to preface this review with an admission of guilt; I initially was not excited to see Thor: Ragnarok. Shocker, I know! I'm probably one of the biggest fans of the MCU, mostly because I read the comics growing up, but also because it's fun for me to see characters like these being taken with some form of seriousness and given a budget to tell these epic scale stories. And with Infinity War coming up next year, we're going to be seeing a lot of ramping up in the MCU for it.
And one of those ramp ups was Doctor Strange, and now, Thor: Ragnarok, with Black Panther coming out in just a few months. But there is a reason I was not excited for Ragnarok, it being the end of days and all. No, I wasn't excited because the initial promotional material was so far removed from what I, and I think a lot of MCU fans, were expecting. To quote myself from a specific FB post, in which I commented about the title card and the costume/makeup of the characters, "I think this might be the first MCU bomb." Boy, was I wrong.
I have a big gripe with people who are currently against comic book or superhero movies, specifically due to over saturation. I get it, it's a lot to have to keep track, and it's a lot of money being thrown into a silly premise. But we know it's a silly premise. These movies are about escapism, and feeling bigger and grander than our everyday lives. Most comic book fans don't mind a cinematic universe because comics have been far more convoluted over the years, and yet you're somehow just expected to know everything that's going on. These movies are actually far easier to remember in my opinion, and each one does just enough set up for the next film without sacrificing the story or character they are currently trying to tell.
My point being though, if you're issue with superhero movies are that they don't take themselves seriously, and everything is a wink and a nod at the audience, then go watch Batman vs. Superman and try to tell me it doesn't take itself too seriously. But if you want a film that knows exactly what it is; a silly comic book jaunt through a fantastical world of monsters and gods, where the filmmakers knew exactly what kind of film they were making, then Thor: Ragnarok is for you!
Thor: Ragnarok follows a long line of Marvel movies, but most recently, Doctor Strange and Spider-Man: Homecoming, though more elements of Doctor Strange are present in this film.
Quick catchup: After the events of The Dark World, Loki had taken over the throne of Asgard, disposing of Odin somewhere off-screen. Thor, after aiding the Avengers in Age of Ultron, disappeared to find a cause of the mayhem across the Nine Realms, explaining why he wasn't present for Civil War. The Hulk had vanished after the events of Age of Ultron, which in the timeline, happens two year prior to Ragnarok. That's one thing I do appreciate from the MCU, their timelines actually match the release dates of their films, with Captain Marvel, I believe, being the only one that will take place out of the current timeline (in the 90's specifically).
The movie satisfies the appetite of the die-hard comic book fans with easter eggs and story lines that fans have always wanted to see on the big screen (Beta Ray Bill has an easter egg, and the use of Planet Hulk story elements), while also having plenty of comedy and action for the fans who have only ever seen the other MCU movies. The jokes are fast and furious in this one, and while there are a few dramatic, even touching moments in the film (won't spoil them here), the film doesn't stray too far into the "rip your heart out with emotion" area.
This film wants to be Guardians of the Galaxy and Doctor Strange combinted, but with the Thor characters, and it shows. There's use of "Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin not once, but TWICE in the film. If they're going to pay for those rights, they may as well use them. But they are both well executed in their use, almost acting as a theme for the tone of the film as it bookends the movie nicely. The neon stylization and 80's glam aesthetic are nice touches and well done, despite my earlier issues with the design during the film's production (I was proven wrong). Elements like why Thor's hair is cut are made into jokes and gets the audience to laugh at things that could have easily upset them as "Thor would never have short hair" or been so very dull. It's very much like a Simpsons episode in that way, where almost every line is a joke, or every scenario manages to get a laugh in some way. I'd honestly categorize this movie as a comedy before an action film, despite the action also being stellar.
The fighting and choreography of this movie is leaps above what we've seen in the past, with some films using shaky cam to hide the fact that certain actors aren't actually fighting. Here, there is a great merging of CG elements with practical stunts and effects to achieve a seamless, high-action, and almost cartoony level of fighting, which is not a bad thing here, because the tone is appropriate.
Speaking of the tone, these actors are all very aware of what film they are in, and relishing every second of it. Cate Blanchett steals the movie in a lot of ways, but not without fighting Hemsworth and his impeccable comedic timing. She feels like a classic Disney villain; evil for the sake of being evil, but it's with a comedic charm that you can't help but be intrigued and entertained by. She is one of Marvel's best villains since Loki and vulture, from earlier tis year. Speaking of Loki, Tom Hiddleston is in the film far more than I was anticipating, and is having more fun as Loki than I think we've ever seen before, despite it being the role that made him a household name. Idris Elba returns as Heimdall, the most serious character in the film, as he is a fugitive in Asgard and protecting other Asgardians from Hela during the invasion. But he adds an emotional centre for the film, as his presence and absence are felt throughout. Karl Urban makes his entrance to the MCU as Skurge, a temporary replacement for Heimdall, and Hela's right hand man during the invasion of Asgard. Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie is a wonderful light of comedy from a female character that is usually reserved for male characters, like Drax or the Hulk, but she has one of the most beautifully shot moments in the film shown in flashback, and manages to convey so much sympathy for her in just a few seconds of screen time. Anthony Hopkins returns briefly as Odin, but again, his presence and absence are deeply felt throughout the film. And we cannot forget the crown jewel of this film, the hammiest of the ham, Jeff Goldblum as the Grandmaster. He brings so much joy on a world that, because of him, is brought so much misery. He sets up gladiatorial games as a way to distract his population from their indentured servitude to the cause of "him". The last person I want to talk about is Mark Ruffalo, who has always been my favourite Bruce Banner, but is given some real character complexity and material to work with in this film, both as Banner and Hulk. Hulk is fleshed out as more than just as rage monster, and given some genuinely funny and heartfelt moments as the green giant. It's a version of the Hulk that has never been seen in live action on film before, and it's a very welcome change for the character.
The writing, and specifically the dialogue, in the film is far and away some of the best Marvel has put out. Taika Waititi directs this venture, but the screenplay is by some legends of comic and animated Marvel fair, Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost, who have both worked on previous Thor film iterations, but also wrote for "X-Men: Evolution", "Wolverine and the X-Men", and the "Hulk vs." films, which Thor: Ragnarok borrows a few story elements from, and they both wrote for the X-23 comics. Eric Pearson also joined as writer, but there is a comedic timing in this film that was somewhat absent in previous Thor films, and I believe it's the addition of Waititi, who is fresh off the success of "What We Do in the Shadows", a wonderfully funny mockumentary-style film on vampires and the interaction of modern living.
Overall, my only issues with the film are aesthetic, the same reason I thought it might flop. Some practical effects are weak, taking me out of the film in a few cases. Where one character should be bruised and bloodied, they are left with nothing, not even scratches, and in other instances, characters are blinded by a quick swipe, and even the makeup on that looks almost like halloween costume levels of makeup. It's not the best we've seen. The costumes, specifically Hela's, are to die for, but there could have been more variation with Thor and Loki in my opinion, as they don't stray far from their typical Asgardian armour and garb.
I think overtime my opinion of this film will lessen, as this film doesn't have too much weight on the overall MCU that they are building up, especially to Infinity War, but it is a very good and entertaining standalone film for the Thor mythos.
Final Score: 8.5/10
I would definitely recommend Ragnarok to the MCU fans, as it takes on what the MCU has built already and expanded in a way we've always wanted to see, incorporating comic book elements and witty dialogue to keep you entertained. The characters are as likable as ever, the villain is relishing the level of evil they are portraying, and the story is genuinely charming and interesting. I'd say if you're hesitant on seeing a comic book movies, this is a good stand alone to just have a good laugh with, but some references will throw you, and even some key plot points will require other films having been seen. I'd recommend watching Doctor Strange, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Thor: The Dark World, as these films are directly referenced and used in this film. As per usual, there are mid and end-credit scenes, so don't leave before they play. One is more plot based, setting up a future film, and another is just for giggles, but involves Goldblum doing what he does best; ham.