Thor: Ragnarok

Image credit: Marvel Database

Marvel studios have been polishing up their films recently, dressing them in different genres to find the best-looking outfit. And it’s been working a treat. While the serious superhero movie has been a refreshing reprieve from the corny family-friendly comedies circa 1995 that age is ending and Marvel has foreseen the change and combated it with fun, action-packed romps.

Surpassing the galactic adventure of Guardians of the Galaxy and the high school fun of Spiderman: Homecoming is Taika Waititi’s contribution to Marvel’s line-up: a Thor movie that’s a little bit Gladiator, a little bit Ghostbusters, and a whole lot of ‘hell yeah!’

Beginning with a captive God of Thunder (Chris Hemsworth), some plot exposition and a kick-arse fight scene, the movie works on a simple quest narrative that paves the way for spectacular action and exquisite banter. When Hela, Goddess of Death (Cate Blanchett) is released all hells breaks loose as she seeks revenge and threatens Asgard with the Ragnarok: the end of the world. With the help of a reluctant Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), a confused Dr. Banner (Mark Ruffalo), and his ever-untrustworthy adopted brother Loki (Tom Hiddelston) Thor must defeat Hela and save his people from extermination.

From the first fight scene between Thor and a Balrog set against the perfect screams of Robert Plant, this movie is an ongoing rollercoaster of action, comedy, and all around brilliance. The script is a perfectly balanced seesaw of comedy and quest being occasionally raised and dipped with bursts of character growth. Looking back to the first movie and his involvement with the Avengers, it’s interesting to see how Thor has changed from serious God-Prince to comedic lead with Hemsworth doing an almighty job.

Image credit: The Art of VFX

While the trailers and posters may advertise a psychedelic testosterone trip for the guys, the girlfriends dragged along will also enjoy the romp. Despite the fact that there are really only three women with speaking roles, nearly all of the serious arse kicking is theirs! Thor and Hulk quickly become the guys in the backseat on this cosmic road trip, telling jokes and playing car-games while Thompson and Blanchett are up front fighting over which route to take… and it’s glorious!

Add to all of this the fact that the film just looks downright amazing! It’s a visual smorgasbord of glistening CGI, delicious references  - keep and eye out for the Wondrous Boat Ride, - and stunning achievements in set, makeup, and costume design with Hela’s smouldering dominatrix getup enough to inspire worship and Jeff Goldblum looking very cosmic-Egyptian.

Hailed as the film that "the other Thor movies should have been" Ragnarok is a must-see in the Marvel cannon of intergalactic proportion!

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Cate Blanchett, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tess Thompson, Karl Urban, Taika Waititi, Mark Ruffalo, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Anthony Hopkins