Thor: Ragnarok (2017) [Movie Review]


Dir: Taika Waititi
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddlestone, Cate Blanchett, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson
Dur: 2 hrs 10 mins
Genre: Superhero
Rating: 6/10

Thor is a mighty hero within the Marvel Universe but alongside the Avengers, his awesomeness and divinity are somehow lowered. While in the Avengers he plays second-fiddle for the most part, in his own series he is the whole and soul of the drama which is to be expected. Here is already where Ragnarok departs from regular superhero films. You would think that this is a film about Thor and his adventures, and you wouldn’t be wrong in thinking so, but in fact, (SPOILER ALERT!!!) it is about a team of heroes. Yes, you read it right! I said TEAM of heroes! Though most of them aren’t ‘super’ they do play that role in this thriller.

Ragnarok did extremely well in the box office and was declared to be the highest-grossing film of the Thor series and eighth highest-grossing film of 2017. Many critics pronounced it as the best film of the Thor trilogy. Waititi’s direction, the cast performances, action sequences, soundtrack and humour were all well received and even applauded. I, however, have a few qualms with the film. Before that I must take a moment and appreciate the novelty of the scriptwriters, and I’m referring to the introduction of humour. Thor generally plays a no-nonsense demi-god who is charged with doing good and keeping evil at bay. However, in Ragnarok his playful side is brought out and showcased. Loki, believe it or not, plays the serious business-minded hero while Thor is all-over the place eliciting laughs and getting used to his novel ‘hero’ status.

The storyline is pretty messed up but most people don’t bother with storylines anymore, as long there is action to compensate for it; throw in some humour and you don’t even need a story anymore. Ragnarok introduces a number of new characters and gets them mixed up in a galactic cataclysm, in a style that Marvel is renowned for. The film didn’t feel right. It’s enjoyable, without a doubt, but there was this recurring empty feeling…  

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