Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Release Date: 03 November, 2017


What's It About: Thor and Loki find themselves stranded on a distant planet when the goddess of death Hela is freed from her prison and invades Asgard.


The Good: Man this was unbelievably funny. Like, MCU films are funny but this was Guardians tier funny. We finally get to see Hulk doing something (and he can speak!), and this might be the first film where we see more Hulk than Banner. Admittedly it was surprising to see him have such a huge presence in a Thor film (which is fair because Marvel has to share profits with Universal). This film has a very 70s or 80s vibe to it, down to the over the top acting and soundtrack, and just the general bombastic attitude of it all. I love it. It's got some great action and character comedy and it never feels dull for a single moment. We even get to see Loki in a black suit!


The Bad: I find little to fault in this film because it was so damn entertaining. I suppose there isn't much thread to the big Avengers arc (so no Infinity Stones, although there are some references to them that help clarify a few things). I do wish Queen Hela was more powerful, and since she's the goddess of death, she doesn't seem all that terrifying (and she doesn't really get much screentime to do anything particularly villainous).


Best Performance: There are some fantastic performances in this film but I really have to give it to Korg, actually a minor character on the planet Sakaar who is made of rocks. He is by far the funniest character in the film (and there are very funny characters here), who speaks in this very soft Polynesian tone which is completely opposite to his large and bulky appearance. Korg is often seen with his buddy Miek, and together they help stage a revolution on Sakaar to help Thor, Loki, Banner and Valkyrie escape. He is portrayed both in motion capture and voice by director Waititi.


Should I Watch It: This is a highly important film in setting up the opening to Avengers: Infinity War, and the last of the films in Phase 3 that revolve around a central Avenger, so if you're planning on pushing ahead, this is required viewing. As for the film, Marvel Studios have really really stepped up their game and pulled out some winners, and this is one of the best. It's success can probably be attributed to the lackluster reception of Thor: The Dark World, which was already beginning to show signs of fatigue in the character.


Post-Credits Scene: Mid and post


Similar Films: Thor, Thor: The Dark World. Do you think a pattern is beginning to show?


Trailer: