Thor Ragnarok [Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston]

Thor Ragnarok (2017) starring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson, Kate Blanchett

In Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok, Thor must race against time to stop Ragnarok. The destruction of his world and the end of Asgardian civilization at the hands of the ruthless Hela.

Review

In short, Thor Ragnarok is a very enjoyable movie. The best of the Thor movies to date, and one of the best of the MCU movies. It does a wonderful balance between comedy and drama, never going to far to either side for long. It has a wonderful story, with some wonderful highlight.

Positives:

• Thor defeating Surtur as the beginning of the film.
• The “ballad of Loki” in Asgard.
• Dr. Strange locating the missing Odin, having a beer with Thor, and sending him and Loki away.
• Odin’s death scene.
• Much of Thor’s time on Sakaar. From his haircut by Stan Lee, to the arena fight with the Hulk … To character development with himself, Loki, Valkyrie, Hulk, and Bruce Banner.
• The fight at the end – absolutely epic.
• Thor realizing that Asgard is a people … not a place.

Negatives

• The killing of the Warriors Three for virtually no reason.

Editorial review of Thor Ragnarok courtesy of Amazon.com

In Marvel Studios’ THOR: RAGNAROK, Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok — the destruction of his home world and the end of Asgardian civilization at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger — the Incredible Hulk!

Characters

Hela

Hela is a creature from a sinister and long-forgotten era. She’s literally the goddess of death. Able to raise the dead to serve as her army – including the Fenris Wolf. She also has the ability to unleash unlimited weapons to impale her enemies. Hela has returned to seek vengeance on those who cast her out. And, as Odin’s oldest child, to claim the throne of Asgard. With her army at her side, Hela intends to usher in a new era of cold brutality. Why should Asgard stop at only controlling nine realms?

Bruce Banner/Hulk

The Incredible Hulk hasn’t been seen since rocketing into outer space aboard the auto-piloted Quinjet after the Battle of Sokovia. The answer is: like many others, he’s been taken to the galactic garbage dump, Sakaar. Here, he’s become the master of the gladiatorial arena. For the first time he can remember, he’s appreciated. The people of Sakaar cheer him on. And then, Thor arrives on Sakaar. Despite being “friends from work”, the Hulk tries to defeat him. And nearly loses. If the Grandmaster hadn’t intervened, he would have. In addition, there’s been no sign of Bruce Banner for several years … Until Thor brings him out. And Banner’s afraid that, if he becomes the Hulk one more time, Banner will never be seen again.

Loki

Disguised as his father Odin, Loki has taken over Asgard as its king. And, caused the Nine Realms to fall into danger — unprotected. However, when Hela makes her terrifying grand entrance, Loki must ally with his adopted brother to stop her. If only either of them could trust the other. Or, along the way, learn to trust each other. For the good of the people of Asgard. Not to mention the enslaved masses of Sakaar.

Thor

After Thor and Loki find the missing Odin, things to from bad to worse. With Odin’s death, a great danger is released — his oldest child, Hela. After she destroys Mjollnir without effort, Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe. Just whn Asgard needs him now more than ever. He must find a way to free himself, return to Asgard, and defeat the unstoppable.

Valkyrie

Valkyrie is an exile on Sakaar, acting as a bounty hunter. She is technically an Asgardian … but she no longer cares. She’s been self-medicating her emotional pain with alcohol. Lots of alcohol. She’s the Hulk’s friend, and could care less about Prince Thor. Or Loki. Or Asgard. She frankly, just doesn’t care at all. Although Thor keeps trying to reach her anyway. And, eventually, succeeds.

Cast

• Thor Odinson (Chris Hemsworth, Ghostbusters 2016)
• Loki (Tom Hiddleston, Kong: Skull Island)
• Hela (Cate Blanchett, Lord of the Rings)
• Heimdall (Idris Elba, Thor).
• Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum, Independence Day)
• Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson, Avengers: Endgame)
• Skurge (Karl Urban, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)
• Bruce Banner / The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo, Houdini)
• Odin (Anthony Hopkins, Shadowlands)
• Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch, Amazing Grace)
• Korg (Taika Waititi). The revolution is on!
• Surtur (Clancy Brown, The Batman Superman Movie). The “big bad” who’s sworn to destroy Asgard. Who’s pitted against the other big bad.