'Thor: Ragnarok' (2017)

Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, and Sci-fi

Director: Taika Waititi

Writer: Eric Pearson & Craig Kyle

Editor: Zene Baker & Joel Negron

Production Design: Dan Hennah & Ra Vincent

Extra Clips: Post and After Credits

Rated: PG-13

Two years after ‘Avenger: Age of Ultron’ Thor winds up in a wild planet called Sakaar, which forces him to battle against other fighters to escape to save Asgard from falling.

======Continuing may contain Spoilers, but not too much I believe========

The beginning monologue reminded me of Kuzco from ‘Emperor’s New Groove’, which lead me to believe that the opening format would be similar to the Disney film. The first talk between Thor and Surtur felt a bit too much for me in trying to be funny.  I understood the joke they were playing, but since it took place so earlier on in the film it dragged a bit. For me, my first laugh was a line from Skurge in the beginning. After that, the film started to pick up the pace and I started enjoying the movie. I always enjoyed how the movie tile appears on the screen along with the look, and ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ didn’t disappointment me.

Comedy mixed with action appears more in the Thor movie, with funny lines and slapstick. One of the Editors, Zene Baker, had worked on several Comedy films such as ‘Neighbors’ (2014) and ‘The Interview’ (2014). The Editors joined their past experiences to create a superhero action film with a good amount of Comedy that all ages could enjoy.

The interaction between the characters are all enjoyable, especially between Odin, Thor, and Loki. My favorite character in the film is the Rock Alien, Korg. His lines were all humorous making the audience laugh each time he speaks. A neat fact, the director, Taika Waititi, voices Korg.  From the trailers, Hulk appears in this third installment of the Thor trilogy. It gave a better look on the relationship between Thor and Hulk/Bruce Banner.

Sakaar’s art design were bright and colorful, which represents all aspect of the planet. The charismatic leader, The Grandmaster’s personality and fashion were just as bright and colorful as the landscape.  The planet is also a junk planet where trash from other places dropped unto Sakaar.  Various Aliens around the galaxy who seem on the planet to escape their past or appear by accident maybe. The Grandmaster also appears in another Marvel film, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol.2’.

If you seen ‘Doctor Strange’ you may have seen the after-credit clip where Doctor Strange and Thor meet up to discuss Thor’s family issue. Doctor Strange introduces himself to Thor in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ and displays his powers as he helps Thor look for Odin. I enjoyed the calling card that lead Thor to Doctor Strange which paid tribute to the actor Benedict Cumberbatch who plays Doctor Strange and Sherlock Holmes in the BBC ‘Sherlock’ series.

         Identity was the overall theme in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ in my opinion.  Thor always had his handy Hammer to help him battle his enemies, but once that reason shattered, Thor considered himself powerless in saving Asgard. Thor was asked several time in the film who he was, but part of his identity isn’t acknowledged or seen till towards the end. Loki’s identity throughout the film on which side he stands with or against Thor is question in the film. Hulk and Bruce Banner battle with identity as each has their own identity which conflicts with one another. Thor meets a woman, Valkyrie, who works on Sakaar to escape her past. The antagonist, Hela, Thor and Loki’s older sister had return to take her rightful place as the ruler of Asgard and to bring back the real identity of the city. The minor character Skurge also questions who he was as he joins Hela to survive, but still feels for his fellow Asgardians. He dreamed acknowledgement for his glory, which becomes twisted as Hela appears. Even the city, Asgard itself, deals with the identify on what defines Asgard. The film has its own action packed, comedy hero movie, but with some themes that the audience can relate to as people at least once in their life think about their identity.

 ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ is a fun superhero watch with a good mixture of comedy, a different style compared to the other Thor films. It almost feels like it should be release during the summer. 
Fun Fact:
- 'Thor: Ragnarok' is the first film where Mark Ruffalo voices Hulk~
- The 'Pure Imagination' song from 'Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'  (1971) plays as Thor is forced to watch the promotional video of Sakaar and The Grandmaster
- Matt Damon, Chris Hemsworth's older brother Luke Hemsworth, and Sam Neill appears as actors in Loki's play as Loki, Thor, and Odin.
- They filmed the whole scene with Doctor Strange and Thor right before they take down the 'Doctor Strange' set.
- This is probably the most we hear Hulk speak.