Written by: Eric Pearson and Craig Kyle & Christopher Yost (written by), Stan Lee & Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby (based on the comics by)
Directed by: Taika Waititi
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Hopkins, Benedict Cumberbatch, Taika Waititi
Rated: PG-13
Plot
Thor must fight his way out of a lethal gladiatorial contest on a distant planet and race against time to prevent the all-powerful Hela from destroying his home and the Asgardian civilization.
Verdict
This is much more comedic and fun than the bulk of the Marvel movies. It's more Guardians of the Galaxy. It's a welcome change of pace. That's okay because Marvel can't churn out the same type of movie every time. Though I don't expect the tone of the movie to continue even in future Thor movies.
This has some great visuals, though if you've see the trailer a big moment in the movie will be spoiled. Even the premise posted in some places will spoil that moment. Despite the comedic bent, I really liked the story. It credibly set up a nearly invincible villain and came up with a believable out that had some consequences and brought the movie full circle. Even characters or scenes that are typically one off comedic relief play a part in the larger story. It's surprisingly well plotted for a super hero movie. Combine that with the humor and you've got something entertaining.
Watch it.
Review
This is a lot of fun, more comedy than super hero action movie. From the very first scene, this lets us know what this is when Thor is trapped in a cage talking to a skeleton. He soon finds himself hanging from a chain talking to a huge beast. As he's twisting on the chain, he interrupts the beast asking him to wait until he slowly spins back around to face the monster.
Some jokes are funny but stick around too much. The "Devil's Anus" sticks around a bit too much.
There's a lot of comedic timing humor, quirkiness, and awkward humor throughout. Some of that awkwardness originates from Thor when he's around "Scrapper-142" (Tessa Thompson). I like that the movie doesn't try to make her a love interest or attempt to pay that off. While you get the idea he likes her, that interest turns to admiration as he learns her background. The other two Thor movies were all too eager to give Thor a love interest. I'm glad this one doesn't.The trailer spoils Thor's big gladiator fight, and even that, right as the intensity reaches a peak, has Thor make a joke. The movie pivots again to make this fight intense.
Cate Blanchett plays the villain and does a great job. Jeff Goldblum plays Grandmaster, an incredible weird and quirky guy that is perfectly cast. Director Taika Waititi plays Korg, a made of stone gladiator that is pure comic relief, but will be a beloved side character. Korg steals every scene he's in, and even he plays a larger role in the overall plot.
There are some changes to Thor's appearance that I wonder how they will carry over to future movies.
While the first scene seemed like a one off to set the tone, it comes right back at the end. I was surprised at how well plotted the story is. Super hero movies often have the hero winning despite all odds. This movie still falls into the hero winning, but it has a big impact, a cost we don't usually see. Despite how powerful the villain is, the defeat doesn't feel like a cop out. I figure this movie would have Thor and friends team up, and through their collective might triumph, it doesn't go that way. The heroes actually sacrifice.
While I'm not a die-hard Marvel superhero movie fan, this movie did a great job of holding my interest and making me curious to see Thor in future movies. While Loki has always been a fun character, I didn't like him as much this movie. He was more just a prop for Thor. Korg stole the show, and he needs to be in more movies.
2021.05.12
I re-watched the three Thor movies, and this one is by far the best follow by the first and then second. Taika Watiti found a great tone for Thor, and he's writing and directing the upcoming fourth Thor movie. This movie makes Thor a bit more of a lovable oaf. He's sillier. Also this has the best looking cinematography. It's all around cooler. The action is more intense, the shots look better, and the comedy is really funny. It's the best Thor movie and a great Marvel universe movie.
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