Ultimately, surprise, surprise, the hero wins, but only at great cost. It has been drawing the crowds since The Bible gave us Samson.
Thor: Ragnarok (Rialto and Reading) stays true to the format but, thanks largely to director Taika Waititi, manages to feel fresh and invigorated.
Ragnarok is the third standalone Thor film, and Chris Hemsworth has consistently pulled off the role of lug-head muscle man who never bothers thinking too much because his hammer can solve any problem. In the Avenger films, Thor is used as comic relief. Here he is finally allowed to not take himself too seriously in his own movie.
This is the Thor film we were not aware we wanted, but now that it is here, boy, are we glad.
That Waititi has massaged so much individuality into a big budget studio movie with his choice of music and careful placement of Kiwi actors is rather impressive.
Even if you are not a fan of comic-book films, it is sort of your patriotic duty to see this and the real pay off is getting to see Rachel House, who stole huge segments of Hunt for the Wilderpeople, out comic act Jeff Goldblum.
Thor: Ragnarok
Rating: (M) ★★★★★
