Before I get into my review of “Thor: Ragnarok,” I ought to say that I liked the movie. I really liked the movie.
Although I will primarily focus on the film’s negative aspects, that is not an indication of its quality. I simply have more to say about the bad than the good. There’s only so many times one can say “Thor: Ragnarok” is great and really funny and a ton of fun. Got it? It’s a good movie.
When the goddess of death, Hela (Cate Blanchett, “Lord of the Rings”) arrives in Asgard, Thor (Chris Hemsworth, “Cabin in the Woods”) is challenged and subsequently made to leave his home. After crash landing in a garbage ridden planet, he’s forced to fight in gladiatorial battles. Thor must then team up with Hulk, a Valkyrie, and his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston, “Crimson Peak”) to take back his home world.
I’m getting a little bored with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I noticed this first when I saw “Doctor Strange.” It’s a good film with some impressive visuals, but the character Strange struck an obnoxious chord with me. I felt like I had seen the movie before, even though I never had. The feeling never left me and after much deliberation, it came to me. I actually had seen this film!
I saw this film in May of 2016 then by the title “Captain America: Civil War.” I saw it in July of 2015 when I watched “Ant-Man.” Again I saw it in May of 2015 when I watched “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Since 2008, roughly after “Iron Man” came out, I have since seen it almost a dozen more times.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe films are always high on my list of my favorite movies of each year, without fail. I love what Disney has managed to do with some of my favorite and least favorite heroes. But the formula has become more and more apparent throughout the years. The films haven’t decreased in quality, it’s just that the man behind the curtain has been revealed more and more with each movie.
That is ultimately my big issue with “Thor: Ragnarok.” Sure, it’s a great film. It’s hilarious, a lot of fun, and visually stunning. The action is well choreographed, the story is a series of snippets of the best Marvel stories, and the characters are as lovable always. It’s dripping with an ‘80s aesthetic, producing a spectacular score. But I’ve seen it before.
“Thor: Ragnarok” doesn’t challenge what we know about the MCU. It doesn’t change up the formula, and it doesn’t make the audience view this spectacular franchise in new, fresh way. That’s my hang up. There’s more I could talk about. I loved the movie, but would have liked to see more gladiatorial battles. I loved Jeff Goldblum, but I was upset by the quick pacing that prevented me from getting emotionally invested. I adored the soundtrack, but felt the CGI could have been better.
As I said before, I love this almost nonsensical bit of cinema known as “Thor: Ragnarok.” If you haven’t already seen it, do. It’s a blast.
Score: 7.5/10.0
