Thor: Ragnarok’ is one of the best MCU flms released to date
By Jack Murphy
“Thor Ragnarok” is directed by Taika Waititi and stars an A-list cast including Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Tessa Thompson, Mark Ruffalo, Idris Elba, Karl Urban, Anthony Hopkins, and Jeff Goldblum. Thor (Hemsworth) has returned to Asgard to discover that Loki(Hiddleston) has been undercover as their father Odin (Hopkins) controlling Asgard, while the real Odin is somewhere on Earth. With Oden gone, the villainous Hela (Blanchett) has returned to Asgard and has sent Thor and Loki to the other side of the universe to a planet run by the Grandmaster (Goldblum). Thor must fight the Grandmaster’s champion in the arena to escape this planet and return to Asgard to save his people. “Thor Ragnarok” is the seventeenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and is the third Thor film. “Thor” and “Thor The Dark World” are fine movies, but they’re are some of the weakest films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, mainly because they are forgettable and don’t stand out compared to films like “Captain America Civil War,” “The Avengers,” and “Guardians of the Galaxy.” To put it short, “Thor Ragnarok” is leaps and bounds better then the other two Thor films.
The best part about “Thor Ragnarok” is the script. The dialogue is interesting, investing, and really funny. This movie was so funny that I would almost consider it a comedy along with being a superhero movie. “Thor Ragnarok” has a style to it that is unique compared to any of the other Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. The movie has an electronic score, while being accompanied by an 80’s vibe, which is executed to perfection. Everyone gives amazing performances in this movie, but the two that stand out are Hemsworth and Hiddleston as Thor and Loki. These two have owned these characters for the last six years, and “Thor Ragnarok” is no different. Finally, the action is fantastic, as the special effects are seamless and unmatched compared to most other big budget films.
The first big criticism I have with “Thor Ragnarok” is the character of Hela (Blanchett). She is menacing and she gives a great performance, but she is the exposition machine of the movie. For example, the film will cut from a fun scene with Thor to Asgard, where Hela is doing evil things and she’s explaining her past, what she wants to do, and what her powers are. Whenever she comes on screen, there is an urge to go back to the weird alien planet with Thor, Loki, and the Grandmaster. Transitioning to my only other flaw with the movie, the Grandmaster(Goldblum) is such a fun and interesting character, because the character of the Grandmaster is basically Jeff Goldblum. It’s a delight to see Jeff Goldblum doing the same performances from films like “Jurassic Park” and “Independence Day.” The problem is that Goldblum is not in the movie enough. If there had been more Goldblum, it would’ve made “Thor Ragnarok” so much better.
Taking asides my two criticisms, “Thor Ragnarok” is one of the most fun experiences I’ve had in a theater this year and I one hundred percent recommend seeing this film. If I had to rank it with the other Marvel Cinematic Universe films, I would say it’s the fifth best, behind “Captain American: The Winter Soldier,” “Iron Man,” “The Avengers,” and “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Grade: A