Let's get one out of the way right off the bat: this isn't going to be another review where it can be summed up as "Lol, it was so funny". This isn't to say that the film isn't funny at all (certain moments had me rolling on the floor and laughing until I was out of breath); yet, that isn't its greatest strength. No, the best thing about THOR: RAGNAROK is just how bonkers and mythic it was. While I can't say this is the closest the Marvel Cinematic Universe has come to a full on classic (that distinction belongs to Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 as far as I'm concerned), this is easily the gleefully out there film in their already expansive catalog.
Outside of eclectic mastermind James Gunn, I thought for the longest time that Marvel would play it safe and mute every visionary creative instinct within the directors they hire for their releases. Thank God I've been proven wrong by the choice of a quirky unknown filmmaker by the name of Taika Waititi (best known for idiosyncratic cult flicks like What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople). His outsider sensibilities are very apparent, resulting in a film that's as refreshingly epic as it is amusing. There are shots in this film that would've made Jack Kirby and Frank Frazetta prouder than humanly possible. Its the kind of high sci-fi fantasy that was the bread & butter of dozens upon dozens of amazing heavy metal album covers in the 1980s; yet, that art style seems to have faded away aside from this film and that's a real shame. Speaking of which, this might be the most effective use of a Led Zeppelin song in any movie. Waititi seems to be in tune with the untouched upon fact about how electrifying classic rock tracks are practically tailor made for this kind of adrenaline-fueled action. On the subject of music, Mark Mothersbaugh does wonders with the score here. His hybrid of soaring orchestras and vibrant synth rhythms makes for the best soundtrack work attached to the MCU that isn't from Michael Giacchino. Mothersbaugh channels Queen's score for Flash Gordon and Tangerine Dream's work for Legend in every composition while being entirely its own thing.
The performances here are all top-level stuff. Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston retain their stoic charm. Mark Ruffalo still leaves me wondering why we haven't gotten another solo Hulk movie just yet. Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie works as a manically charming drunk who can also be the most manically unpredictable adventurer in the room, similar to Simon Pegg's character in The World's End (only not as dark or R-rated). Cate Blanchett is a thing of beauty whenever she's on screen, showing a respectable amount restraint of amount while not being below just wallowing in mustache-twirling evil from time to time. Karl Urban and Idris Elba bring their usual levels of cinematic gravitas to each of their small moments in the spotlight. As for Jeff Goldblum, he almost steals the whole movie as the Grandmaster. Considering how this is Jeff "Man of a Thousand Uh's" Goldblum in a cosmically fantastical Marvel picture, you better believe that he's as as you'd hope for him to be in this.
Now, I'll talk about the humor. Let me just say how happy I am that this breed of humor is becoming more prevalent instead of the overly self-satisfied snark of Joss Whedon's contributions. This, along with the aforementioned Guardians of the Galaxy films, recognizes the silliness of all of this comic book madness while understanding how much sincerity lies in both the source material and the love for said source material. Although, there is one instance where the devil-may-care indulgence does a disservice to the film's more dramatic moments near the end that happens to be my only major problem with the production. Regardless, its not so tone deaf to a degree where it becomes a deal breaker.
All in all, THOR: RAGNAROK does manage to end the world as we know it while feeling strangely fine. It manages to take countless potshots at the biggest superhero movie cliche known to man while also making the stakes feel tangible and actually suspenseful. Plus, it helps that this sort of nonsense is my cup of tea and its executed with unbridled precision.
THOR: RAGNAROK, naturally, GETS A...
BADA$$ out of TEN
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