To start off, Ragnarok is by far the best Thor movie, and arguably the funniest in the Marvel Avenger series, (yes, even considering GoTG 2) and that is definitely saying something.
The Thor movies have always been somewhat inconsequential; (but then again so have the Iron Man movies) this installment, however, came with a heavy dose of Norse Mythology (however butchered) and, probable consequences that probably affect everyone's character arc in Infinity War.
Odin's death, however, wasn't as impactful as Frigga's; mostly because he kept appearing throughout the movie to pep-talk Thor out of difficult situations, but mainly because it felt like Frigga died fighting and Odin just...dissolved into sparkles. On a peaceful day. In Midgard. While calmly telling his sons that the Goddess of Death (who is also their sister) is on her way, and will probably kill all of them. Father of the Year here, everyone. Also, how did Thor and Loki go all their lives without hearing about Hela? I mean...isn't she one of the more powerful Norse deities?
But this is a movie that doesn't let you question logic for long; simply put, it is fun, and the movie makes sure you enjoy it every minute of it. Benedict Cumberbatch is amazing as Doctor Stephen Strange, who, it seems, has come into his own as a Master of the Mystic Arts; and I can't wait to see him join forces with the rest of the Avengers in Infinity War.
I have said this before, and I will say it again. Tom Hiddleston is the main reason why people have had difficulty in accepting Loki as a typical bad-guy, because we want him so badly on our team. We've already forgiven him for New York, we've forgiven him for faking his death (though I think there was nothing to forgive, Odin had it coming), and when he turned up in that ginormous spaceship towards the end of the movie, (granted, in the most dramatic, self-centred, most Loki-way possible) we forgave him for almost-having betrayed Thor just twenty minutes ago on Sakaar.
Because, to paraphrase Thor, he will always be the God of Mischief, but we all know that he can be (and want him to be) much more. As for Thor himself, this is the first movie in which he fights for something other than personal gain, and that was something necessary for character growth. In the first movie, he was just a big blundering idiot with Greek (or Norse) God looks who wanted to prove to his father that he was worthy enough to wield Mjolnir. In Thor : The Dark World, he was just running around worlds trying to get the Aether out of his girlfriend. In this movie, however, we see him put the good of the people of Asgard before himself, and that is a refreshing change.
He still is a hot-headed muscle hunk, but he is wiser, and has a kickass sense of humor to go with it. This is a superhero profile that I dig. Chris Hemsworth has great comic timing, and coupled with the sass that Thor seems to develop on Sakaar, (the point obviously being to hate everything associated with the planet), when he says, 'The red, the white...ridiculous. Pick a colour.' And then you remember that he grew up in a world that was literally made of gold.
The Thor movies have always been somewhat inconsequential; (but then again so have the Iron Man movies) this installment, however, came with a heavy dose of Norse Mythology (however butchered) and, probable consequences that probably affect everyone's character arc in Infinity War.
Odin's death, however, wasn't as impactful as Frigga's; mostly because he kept appearing throughout the movie to pep-talk Thor out of difficult situations, but mainly because it felt like Frigga died fighting and Odin just...dissolved into sparkles. On a peaceful day. In Midgard. While calmly telling his sons that the Goddess of Death (who is also their sister) is on her way, and will probably kill all of them. Father of the Year here, everyone. Also, how did Thor and Loki go all their lives without hearing about Hela? I mean...isn't she one of the more powerful Norse deities?
But this is a movie that doesn't let you question logic for long; simply put, it is fun, and the movie makes sure you enjoy it every minute of it. Benedict Cumberbatch is amazing as Doctor Stephen Strange, who, it seems, has come into his own as a Master of the Mystic Arts; and I can't wait to see him join forces with the rest of the Avengers in Infinity War.
I have said this before, and I will say it again. Tom Hiddleston is the main reason why people have had difficulty in accepting Loki as a typical bad-guy, because we want him so badly on our team. We've already forgiven him for New York, we've forgiven him for faking his death (though I think there was nothing to forgive, Odin had it coming), and when he turned up in that ginormous spaceship towards the end of the movie, (granted, in the most dramatic, self-centred, most Loki-way possible) we forgave him for almost-having betrayed Thor just twenty minutes ago on Sakaar.
Because, to paraphrase Thor, he will always be the God of Mischief, but we all know that he can be (and want him to be) much more. As for Thor himself, this is the first movie in which he fights for something other than personal gain, and that was something necessary for character growth. In the first movie, he was just a big blundering idiot with Greek (or Norse) God looks who wanted to prove to his father that he was worthy enough to wield Mjolnir. In Thor : The Dark World, he was just running around worlds trying to get the Aether out of his girlfriend. In this movie, however, we see him put the good of the people of Asgard before himself, and that is a refreshing change.
He still is a hot-headed muscle hunk, but he is wiser, and has a kickass sense of humor to go with it. This is a superhero profile that I dig. Chris Hemsworth has great comic timing, and coupled with the sass that Thor seems to develop on Sakaar, (the point obviously being to hate everything associated with the planet), when he says, 'The red, the white...ridiculous. Pick a colour.' And then you remember that he grew up in a world that was literally made of gold.
'The sun's getting low, sun's going down' repetitions throughout the movie were a nice touch. We know what he is trying to do, and we are also painfully aware of the fact that it is probably causing the opposite effect of what he's intending to do. I wonder if the lullaby will still have the same effect now that Thor has basically reconditioned Banner to get upset everytime he hears it.
And with that, we come to the only character who has equally interesting personalities while in human form, as well as a CGI giant. When Ross asked Cap in the last movie if he knew where Banner was...we thought he crash landed somewhere and decided to go off the grid. Little did we suspect that he was stuck on an alien planet ruled by a megalomaniac dictator, employed as a crowd-pleasing gladiator. Way to jazz up that CV, Hulk. Seven PhDs isn't an easy record to compete with, but punching Surtur in the face as he brings about Ragnarok is not a feat to be overlooked. Though I am a little concerned about whether or not Banner will be able to resurface for the next movie.
There were a handful of new characters in the movie, and all of them seem to hit the mark perfectly. Cate Blanchett as Hela was on point, though she tended to go off on property destroying monologues...she is one the most memorable Marvel villians so far. (Although, why dress her up in green? Is that Asgardian dress code for not liking the royal family? If she liked to dress in black and green even before Thor was born...then why were Odin and Frigga not more alarmed when Loki's wardrobe choices were very similar to his older psychopath sister?)
X as, Skurge, does a great job of portraying a guilt - ridden warrior looking out for himself, his self - sacrifice was something I saw coming early on in the movie; if I had a complaint, it would be that his character was too predictable.
'Angry-girl' Valkyrie does an amazing job, her easy chemistry with Thor, Banner, and Hulk make her a treat to watch on screen. Though, I can't help but wonder, do Valkyries have a metabolism that makes them immune to alcohol? Because if not, she should have face planted in the ground and died about five minutes into the movie. As such, she and Cap (and maybe Bucky) would make for great drinking buddies.
Jeff Goldbum, as the Grandmaster, adds a lot of drama and pizzaazz to the proceedings; while hinting at an unforgiving dark side that tends to surface at times. Creepy, entertaining, with an occasional tendency to melt people...that's a good villian right there.
This list would go unfinished if I don't include Korg. The 'perishable rock' man with his Australian accent, the casual everyday attitude even in the midst of battle, the rock-paper-scissor jokes (there were a LOT) was just the perfect addition to the ensemble.
Idris Elba definitely deserves a mention, he was the unsung hero of the movie. It seems more and more like he is being set up to die in the next movie, what with the destruction of Asgard and the fact that he houses an Infinity Stone. He's going to die pretty soon, isn't he?
Looking back at the movie, what sticks with you is one lone piece of dialogue. 'Odin...Proud to have it, ashamed of how he got it.'
When Hela spits this out with venomous disgust, we don't quite understand that she may be referring to all great kingdoms. Makes you think, doesn't it? That's great dialogue for you.
I'm leaving you with one final thought. So, apparently, Thor and Loki draw their power from Asgard just like Hela did. Now, what with the destruction of the planet and all...what does that do to Thor's new-found lightening powers? (Just like, what happens to Quill's new energy-ball-making powers now that he destroyed Ego even before doing anything remotely interesting with them?) Or...are both of them going to try really hard with a constipated face and just somehow find that spark that was 'always in them'? That would be a massive letdown, not to mention repetitive.
Also, if I might add, I quite liked Mjolnir. That thing had more character than all of the Deadpool movies put together.
Rest in peace, mew-mew.
Jeff Goldbum, as the Grandmaster, adds a lot of drama and pizzaazz to the proceedings; while hinting at an unforgiving dark side that tends to surface at times. Creepy, entertaining, with an occasional tendency to melt people...that's a good villian right there.
This list would go unfinished if I don't include Korg. The 'perishable rock' man with his Australian accent, the casual everyday attitude even in the midst of battle, the rock-paper-scissor jokes (there were a LOT) was just the perfect addition to the ensemble.
Idris Elba definitely deserves a mention, he was the unsung hero of the movie. It seems more and more like he is being set up to die in the next movie, what with the destruction of Asgard and the fact that he houses an Infinity Stone. He's going to die pretty soon, isn't he?
Looking back at the movie, what sticks with you is one lone piece of dialogue. 'Odin...Proud to have it, ashamed of how he got it.'
When Hela spits this out with venomous disgust, we don't quite understand that she may be referring to all great kingdoms. Makes you think, doesn't it? That's great dialogue for you.
I'm leaving you with one final thought. So, apparently, Thor and Loki draw their power from Asgard just like Hela did. Now, what with the destruction of the planet and all...what does that do to Thor's new-found lightening powers? (Just like, what happens to Quill's new energy-ball-making powers now that he destroyed Ego even before doing anything remotely interesting with them?) Or...are both of them going to try really hard with a constipated face and just somehow find that spark that was 'always in them'? That would be a massive letdown, not to mention repetitive.
Also, if I might add, I quite liked Mjolnir. That thing had more character than all of the Deadpool movies put together.
Rest in peace, mew-mew.