Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Thor: Ragnarok

By Emily Hubbard 

Taika Waititi gives a much-needed makeover to the God of Thunder and crew

• 5/5 Cameras 🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥
• Directed by: Taika Waititi
• Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Mark Ruffalo, and Tessa Thompson
• Where to find it: Disney +

No Copyright Infringement Intended 

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (or MCU for short) is the world’s biggest movie (and now television) franchise. From the game-changing Iron Man to the unexpectedly great Guardians of the Galaxy, most people are likely to be aware of at least one entry in the ever-expanding superhero universe. You’d be forgiven, however, for not being all too familiar with the Thor franchise, as its first two movies are widely considered lacklustre compared to the rest of the MCU. However, just when it seemed like all hope was lost with the Asgardian God’s solo adventures, New Zealand powerhouse Taika Waititi swooped in and saved the day with the ultra-hilarious and refreshingly vibrant Thor: Ragnarok.

Following the events of Thor: The Dark World, our titular God of Thunder (Chris Hemsworth) finds himself imprisoned on the planet Sakaar along with former Avenger, Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). Whilst on Sakaar, Thor must team up with unlikely allies Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) to stop the destruction of his homeworld Asgard, otherwise known as Ragnarok, at the hands of his evil half-sister Hela (Cate Blanchett).

There are many aspects that make Thor: Ragnarok a great movie, but perhaps the most obvious is the tonal shift that Taika Waititi adds to the franchise, making it unlike anything else in the MCU. Fans of Waititi will already be aware of the goofy, yet heartfelt, flare he brings to most of his movies, most notably being the critically acclaimed Hunt for The Wilderpeople, and JoJo Rabbit and it’s nice for mainstream audiences to experience it in all its glory with Thor: Ragnarok. Right from the first scene, where Thor mocks his captor, the fire demon Surtur (Clancy Brown), whilst dangling from chains in a hellish underworld, Waititi’s touch is instantly recognisable and cements the film as an all-out comedy. This first scene not only gets instant laughs but also moves Thor away from the almost Shakespearian character that audiences laughed at in previous films, to a character who doesn’t take himself too seriously and who audiences can laugh along with.

In addition to Thor’s new sense of humour, as is standard with any MCU project, Thor: Ragnarok sees the return of some familiar faces, namely Bruce Banner, a.k.a Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), and Thor’s adopted mischievous brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Both characters undergo some major character developments during the film’s runtime, perhaps the most either have seen during their time in this collective universe. Despite this though, it’s the new additions that are the most fun. Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie, an alcoholic scavenger who’s formed an unlikely bond with Hulk, is a delight in every scene she’s in and has become a character that fans can’t wait to see more of. Another character making their MCU debut during this film is Jeff Goldblum’s The Grandmaster, a character who’s just as flamboyant and extravagant as you’d expect. Then there’s Korg (Taika Waititi), a character that’s made entirely of rocks and who utters some of the most memorable, and quotable, lines in the entire MCU. Not only are the new and returning characters a joy to watch but Thor: Ragnarok’s villain, the Goddess of Death, Hela (Cate Blanchett) is one of the most compelling in the MCU, although the universe isn’t particularly well-known for having complex villains.

Waititi’s take on the Thor franchise also looks and sounds different compared to its predecessors. The film is lathered in vibrant colours, from The Grandmaster’s lavish palace to the ever-beautiful rainbow Bifrost bridge in Asgard, it’s almost impossible to look away from the screen. The soundtrack and score are also knockouts, with the film boasting a rare, and impactful, use of Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin.

The people over at Marvel struck gold when they decided to hire Taika Waititi, and as we’ve seen in later years with James Gunn’s take on The Suicide Squad, superhero movies tend to be at their best when directors have full creative control. Thor: Ragnarok ranks pretty high on my list of favourite films, and I can’t wait to see Taika and co return with Thor: Love and Thunder in the summer of 2022.