We absolutely loved this Marvel superhero flick! This Marvels Thor Ragnarok movie review is a breath of fresh air in the crowded comic book movie landscape.
Director Taika Waititi brings his quirky humor and style to the Thor franchise, creating a fun and colorful adventure that had us laughing from start to finish.
Thor: Ragnarok stands out as one of the best entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, blending action and comedy in perfect harmony.
Chris Hemsworth shines as the God of Thunder, showing off both his comedic chops and heroic prowess.
The supporting cast, including Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk and Cate Blanchett as the villainous Hela, adds depth and excitement to the story.
While some fans might miss the more serious tone of earlier Thor movies, we think this new direction is exactly what the character needed.
The film’s vibrant visuals and rockin’ soundtrack make for an awesome cinematic experience. If you’re looking for a superhero movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously, Thor: Ragnarok is a must-see!
Marvels Thor Ragnarok Movie Review
Taika Waititi brought a fresh and fun approach to Thor: Ragnarok. His unique style shines through, giving the film a distinct personality that sets it apart from other Marvel movies.
Taika Waititi’s Influence
We loved how Waititi’s indie film background shaped Thor: Ragnarok. His quirky humor and offbeat sensibilities are all over this movie.
It feels like a perfect blend of big-budget action and indie charm.
Waititi’s previous work on “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” clearly influenced his Marvel debut. We see similar themes of found family and outsiders coming together.
His knack for balancing heart and laughs is on full display here.
The visual style is bold and colorful, with a retro sci-fi vibe that’s pure Waititi. It’s clear he had a lot of creative freedom to put his stamp on the Thor franchise.
Humor and Tone
Waititi cranked up the comedy in Thor: Ragnarok, and we’re here for it. The film is packed with witty banter and hilarious situations that had us cracking up.
But it’s not just about jokes. Waititi finds a great balance between humor and drama. The funny moments make the serious parts hit even harder.
We love how the characters feel more natural and relatable thanks to the humor. Thor especially benefits from this approach, coming across as more human than ever before.
The lighter tone breathes new life into the series without losing the epic scale of a Marvel movie. It’s a tricky balance, but Waititi nails it.
Star-Studded Cast Performances
Thor: Ragnarok boasts an incredible lineup of actors who bring their A-game to this Marvel adventure. The cast’s chemistry and talent shine through in every scene, making for an unforgettable viewing experience.
Chris Hemsworth as Thor
Chris Hemsworth nails it as Thor once again. He brings a perfect mix of humor and heroism to the God of Thunder.
We love how he shows Thor’s growth from a cocky prince to a more humble leader.
Hemsworth’s comic timing is spot-on. He handles the film’s lighter moments with ease. At the same time, he doesn’t skimp on the action. His fight scenes are thrilling to watch.
We’re impressed by how Hemsworth makes Thor relatable. Even as a powerful god, he feels like someone we’d want to hang out with.
Cate Blanchett as Hela
Cate Blanchett is a force of nature as Hela, Thor’s long-lost sister. She chews up every scene she’s in with gleeful menace. Blanchett clearly has a blast playing the villain.
Her Hela is scary, sexy, and powerful all at once. We can’t take our eyes off her when she’s on screen. Blanchett brings depth to what could have been a one-note baddie.
Her fight scenes are amazing too. Blanchett moves with grace and deadly precision. She makes Hela a worthy opponent for Thor and his allies.
Mark Ruffalo as Hulk
Mark Ruffalo does double duty as Bruce Banner and the Hulk. He nails both roles. As Banner, he’s charmingly awkward and confused. As Hulk, he’s a green rage machine with surprising depth.
We love the buddy comedy vibe between Ruffalo and Hemsworth. Their scenes together are hilarious. Ruffalo also shows us a new side of Hulk. We see the big guy struggle with his identity and place in the universe.
Ruffalo brings real heart to the role. He makes us care about both Banner and Hulk.
Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie
Tessa Thompson is a standout as Valkyrie. She’s tough, funny, and complex. Thompson brings a swagger to the role that’s totally captivating.
We love Valkyrie’s journey from a jaded loner to a hero. Thompson makes this arc feel natural and earned. Her chemistry with the rest of the cast is electric.
Thompson holds her own in the action scenes too. She’s believable as a fierce warrior. At the same time, she shows Valkyrie’s vulnerable side. It’s a well-rounded performance.
Tom Hiddleston as Loki
Tom Hiddleston slips back into Loki’s shoes with ease. He brings his trademark charm and mischief to the role. Hiddleston makes Loki both lovable and untrustworthy.
We never know whose side Loki is really on. That’s part of the fun. Hiddleston plays this ambiguity perfectly. He also shows us new sides of Loki. We see moments of real growth and vulnerability.
Hiddleston’s scenes with Hemsworth are always a treat. Their brotherly banter feels genuine and warm.
Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster
Jeff Goldblum is delightfully weird as the Grandmaster. He brings his unique Goldblum-ness to the role. It’s quirky, it’s fun, and it fits perfectly in this colorful world.
We love how Goldblum makes the Grandmaster both silly and menacing. He’s clearly having a ball with the role. His line delivery is spot-on, making even simple phrases hilarious.
Goldblum’s scenes add a dash of zany humor to the film. He’s the cherry on top of an already stellar cast.
Plot and Storyline Breakdown
Thor: Ragnarok takes us on a wild ride through cosmic realms as Thor faces his toughest challenge yet. We’ll explore the key events that unfold as Asgard falls under threat and Thor finds himself in an unexpected predicament.
Rise of Hela and Thor’s Exile
Hela, the Goddess of Death, bursts onto the scene with a vengeance. She’s Odin’s firstborn and boy, is she mad about being forgotten!
As Odin fades away, Hela smashes Thor’s hammer like it’s made of glass. Talk about a power move.
Thor and Loki end up stranded on a junk planet called Sakaar. It’s not exactly a 5-star vacation spot. Meanwhile, Hela’s busy taking over Asgard faster than you can say “Odin’s beard.” She’s got some serious plans for universal domination.
The Battle on Sakaar
Sakaar’s a weird place run by the eccentric Grandmaster. Thor gets his golden locks chopped off and is thrown into a gladiator arena. Guess who he faces? His old buddy Bruce Banner, aka the Hulk!
Thor teams up with Valkyrie, a hard-drinking ex-Asgardian warrior. Together with Hulk and Loki, they plot their escape. It’s like a cosmic jailbreak movie, complete with spaceships and wormholes.
The Return to Asgard
Our ragtag team heads back to Asgard for the big showdown with Hela. They’re outnumbered and outgunned, but Thor’s not giving up without a fight. He taps into his true power as the God of Thunder, no hammer needed.
But here’s the kicker – to stop Hela, they have to destroy Asgard itself. Yep, you heard that right. It’s a bittersweet victory as the Asgardians become refugees in space. Talk about a plot twist!
Action and Cinematic Sequences
Thor: Ragnarok brings the thunder with its eye-popping action and stunning visuals. We were blown away by the creative fight scenes and colorful cosmic settings.
Battle in the Bifrost
The opening battle in the Bifrost is a wild ride. Thor swings his hammer through hordes of fire demons as Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” blasts.
The mix of slow-mo and fast cuts keeps us on the edge of our seats.
We love how the rainbow bridge lights up with each strike. The CGI fire effects look amazing too. It’s a perfect intro that sets the tone for the rest of the movie.
This scene shows off Thor’s powers in new ways. He zips around like a pinball, taking out baddies left and right. The camera work makes us feel like we’re right in the middle of the action.
Sakaar’s Gladiatorial Contest
The gladiator fight between Thor and Hulk is a real showstopper. The neon-lit arena pops with color and energy. We can almost feel the crowd’s excitement as the two Avengers duke it out.
Thor tries his usual moves, but Hulk isn’t having it. The back-and-forth between brute strength and godly powers keeps us guessing.
There are lots of funny moments mixed in too, like Thor trying to calm Hulk down.
The CGI for Hulk looks better than ever. His facial expressions add so much to the scene. We also dig Thor’s new look without his hammer – it forces him to fight in creative ways.
Asgard’s Final Stand
The last battle for Asgard is pure superhero movie magic. Hela’s army of the dead clashes with the Asgardians in epic fashion.
The Valkyrie flashback scene is gorgeous, with warrior women riding winged horses into battle.
Thor’s lightning powers reach new heights here. We get chills when he leaps into action with bolts crackling all around him. Loki and Valkyrie team up for some great fight scenes too.
The destruction of Asgard looks amazing on screen. It’s a bittersweet but visually stunning end to Thor’s home world. This scene really shows off the movie’s top-notch special effects.
Artistic Elements and Soundtrack
Thor: Ragnarok wows us with its visual flair and rocking soundtrack. The movie’s stunning effects and iconic music create an unforgettable cosmic adventure.
Visual Effects and CGI
The CGI in Thor: Ragnarok blows us away. Asgard shines with golden glory, while alien worlds pop with vibrant colors.
We’re in awe of the rainbow Bifrost bridge and Hela’s spiky headdress.
The film’s space battles dazzle us with laser beams and exploding ships. Thor’s lightning powers look better than ever, crackling with electric energy. Hulk’s transformation is smooth and realistic.
We love how the effects blend seamlessly with the actors and sets. It’s hard to tell what’s real and what’s digital. The CGI brings the comic book feel to life without looking fake or cheesy.
Iconic Musical Score
Mark Mothersbaugh’s soundtrack rocks our world. It mixes synth-heavy 80s vibes with epic orchestral themes.
The music perfectly fits the movie’s fun, retro sci-fi tone.
We can’t get enough of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song.” It plays during Thor’s big fight scenes, pumping us up with its thunderous beat. The song feels like it was made for the God of Thunder.
The score’s electronic elements give the film a unique sound. It’s different from typical superhero movie music. We find ourselves humming the catchy themes long after leaving the theater.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Thor: Ragnarok shook up the superhero genre and left a lasting mark on pop culture. It brought new energy to Thor’s character and paved the way for future Marvel films.
Revamping of the Thor Franchise
We think Thor: Ragnarok breathed new life into the God of Thunder’s solo outings. The movie’s colorful visuals and humor were a stark contrast to earlier Thor films.
Director Taika Waititi gave Chris Hemsworth’s Thor a fun makeover that fans loved.
The film showed Thor could be both powerful and funny. This fresh take made Thor more relatable and popular than ever before. We saw Thor’s character growth as he faced losing his hammer and home.
Ragnarok also introduced scene-stealing new characters like Valkyrie and Korg. These additions expanded Thor’s world in exciting ways.
Influence on the MCU and Future Films
Ragnarok’s success shaped Marvel’s approach to future movies. Its blend of action and comedy became a template for other MCU films.
We noticed this style in movies like Avengers: Infinity War and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
The film’s cosmic setting opened up new story possibilities for the MCU. It paved the way for more space-based adventures and weird alien worlds.
Thor’s new look and personality carried over into Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. This consistency helped tie the MCU together. Ragnarok’s impact on Thor made him a fan-favorite Avenger.
Cameos and Easter Eggs
Thor: Ragnarok is packed with fun surprises for Marvel fans. We spotted tons of hidden references and cameos that add extra excitement to the movie.
Stan Lee’s Memorable Appearance
Stan Lee pops up in a hilarious scene as Thor’s barber. He works for the Grandmaster and gives Thor his new short haircut. We loved seeing the Marvel legend wielding some crazy futuristic scissors!
It’s one of Stan’s funniest cameos yet. This appearance ties into the movie’s themes of change and reinvention.
Thor losing his long locks symbolizes his transformation throughout the story. Stan Lee’s cameo is more than just a fun surprise – it actually moves the plot forward in a clever way.
Surprise Connections to the MCU
Dr. Strange makes an unexpected appearance early in the film. He helps Thor and Loki find Odin on Earth.
This scene sets up Strange’s larger role in future Marvel movies. We also caught a quick Iron Man reference.
When Thor crashes on Sakaar, there’s Stark Industries tech in the junk piles. This hints at Tony Stark’s far-reaching influence across the galaxy.
These cameos and Easter eggs show how interconnected the Marvel universe is. Even in a wacky space adventure, Earth’s mightiest heroes find ways to pop up!
Themes and Character Development
Thor: Ragnarok takes our favorite characters on wild journeys of growth and change. We see Thor, Valkyrie, and Loki face tough challenges that push them to evolve in surprising ways.
Thor’s Journey
Thor starts off cocky and sure of himself, but loses everything he holds dear. His hammer gets smashed, his hair gets chopped off, and he ends up stranded on a weird junk planet. Talk about a bad day!
But these setbacks force Thor to dig deep and find his inner strength. He learns he doesn’t need his hammer to be mighty.
We love watching him discover his true power comes from within. By the end, Thor becomes a wiser, more humble leader. He realizes being king isn’t about the throne, it’s about protecting his people. Way to go, Thor!
Valkyrie’s Redemption
Valkyrie starts as a drunk, bitter scrapper who’s given up on life. But meeting Thor reignites her warrior spirit.
We see her slowly let down her walls and remember who she used to be. Her journey back to heroism isn’t easy.
She has to face her painful past and the trauma of losing her fellow Valkyries. But fighting alongside Thor helps her find purpose again. By the final battle, Valkyrie is back in full warrior mode. She even dons her old Valkyrie armor!
Her redemption arc is super satisfying to watch.
Loki’s Path to Allyship
Loki’s always been a wild card, but this movie pushes him in new directions. At first, he’s up to his usual tricks. But being stuck with Thor forces him to confront his choices.
We see cracks in Loki’s selfish facade as he bonds with his brother. When push comes to shove, he chooses to help save Asgard instead of betraying everyone. Is Loki fully redeemed? Not quite.
But he takes big steps towards being a true ally. His growth feels earned and adds depth to his character.
Criticism and Controversies
Thor: Ragnarok brought some fresh changes to Marvel’s formula, but not everyone loved them. The movie also faced some questions about diversity.
Divergence from Traditional Superhero Films
We think Thor: Ragnarok shook things up in a big way. It was way funnier than most superhero flicks. Some fans loved the new direction, but others weren’t so sure.
The movie felt more like a comedy than an action film at times. This was a big change from earlier Thor movies.
We saw some critics say it went too far with the jokes. There were worries that all the humor took away from the serious parts of the story.
Some people felt the emotional moments didn’t hit as hard because of all the laughs.
Representation and Diversity Issues
Thor: Ragnarok tried to be more diverse, but it didn’t quite hit the mark for everyone. We noticed a few problems that got people talking.
The movie added some new characters of color, like Valkyrie and Heimdall. But some critics said these roles weren’t big enough. They wanted to see more screen time for these characters.
There was also talk about Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie. In the comics, she’s bisexual. But the movie didn’t really show this part of her character.
Some fans were upset about this missing piece of representation. We also heard complaints about how the movie handled its few Asian characters. Critics said these roles were too small or played into stereotypes.
Conclusion
Thor: Ragnarok is a cosmic delight that brings new life to the Marvel franchise. We loved the vibrant colors, witty humor, and thrilling action sequences.
The cast shines bright, with Chris Hemsworth’s comedic timing on full display. Cate Blanchett makes for a formidable villain as Hela, while Jeff Goldblum steals scenes as the Grandmaster.
Director Taika Waititi injects his unique style into the film, creating a fresh and fun superhero adventure. The ’80s-inspired visuals and soundtrack add to the movie’s charm.
While some may miss the more serious tone of previous Thor films, we think this new direction is exactly what the character needed. It’s a bold reimagining that pays off in spades.
We give Thor: Ragnarok our enthusiastic stamp of approval. It’s a must-see for Marvel fans and newcomers alike. This cosmic romp proves that sometimes, a little shake-up is just what a franchise needs to stay exciting.
We hope you enjoyed this magical journey through Marvels Thor Ragnarok movie on Disney Plus. If you’re eager to discover even more Disney movie magic, check out 10 Best Action Movies on Disney Plus or Best Family Movies on Disney Plus. You can see all of these popular family films on Disney Plus.