Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Hopkins, Benedict Cumberbatch.
Director: Taika Waititi
Release dat: 24th October 2017
We re-join Thor (Chris Hemsworth) hanging, trussed up in a cage and in imminent peril. We soon see his captor and find out a bit more about his situation. After freeing himself and taking a trophy, he returns to Asgard. Things are not as he remembers and many changes have occurred since he left. Warnings start to circulate of the Goddess of Death, Hella (Cate Blanchett), who just happens to be Thor and Loki’s older sister. She was banished many years ago and rumours are rife that she is going to return. After a big punch-up between the siblings, Thor ends up being kidnapped by a girl and sold to a guy called ‘The Grandmaster’ (Jeff Goldblum. Amazing!!). Unfortunately for Thor, he is now going to be a Gladiator in a publicly viewed tournament. He is relieved to see his old mate, The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) is his opponent but suffice to say, Hulk is blinded by his anger and rage and their battle is fierce. Thor knows he must escape somehow to sort out the problem with his sister taking over Asgard and killing a load of people. Will Thor be able to reason with his old friend, Hulk and convince him to become an ally or is Asgard doomed to fall? What is Ragnarok and what part does it have to play in the greater scheme of things?
‘Thor:Ragnarok’ is the third in the series of Marvel’s Thor stories, following on from ‘Thor’ and ‘Thor: The Dark World’. This movie sees Thor basically growing a pair and stepping up as the Protector of Asgard.
This movie sees a new Director at the helm, in the shape of New Zealander, Taika Waititi. With a brilliant catalogue of work in his portfolio, including; ‘Hunt For The Wilderpeople’ and ‘What We Do In The Shadows’, he brings a wealth of experience to what could have been a mammoth task. He really does put his mark on the movie as a whole and appears to get the best out of the actors featured, Chris Hemsworth especially. There’s a lot of comedy throughout the movie and a lot of quirkiness too. If anything, it makes the whole thing much much more enjoyable. He also uses actors from other movies he’s directed in this one, including the wonderful Sam Neill and Rachel House, both of whom I love. Then there’s one of my favourite characters in this movie, who doesn’t even have a lead role. It’s a character called Korg, who Thor meets not long before he’s put in the arena to fight Hulk. Voiced by Taika Waititi, he’s a Rock creature with a New Zealand accent. Absolutely brilliant.
The more I think about it, the more it feels like ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ is possibly one of my Films of the Year. It has pretty much everything you could want from a movie of this type. Coming in at just over two hours, the film doesn’t drag at all and keeps you hugely entertained for the duration.
There’s always that sense of trepidation with a new Marvel movie release, but with this one you needn’t worry in the slightest.
Believe the hype. This is a must see movie which most people will love.
I’m definitely going to watch it again.
Overall: 9.5/10
