If you asked me at the beginning of the year to predict which Marvel Cinematic Universe movie would be the best, I would have never guessed “Thor: Ragnarok.” Sure, the lineup of stars and the fact that director Taika Waititi (“What We Do in the Shadows,” “Hunt for the Wilderpeople”) was at the helm had my hopes very high for the film, but I didn’t think I would enjoy a movie in the “Thor” universe as much as — or even more than — a “Spider-Man” or “Guardians of the Galaxy” flick. I was wrong.
Relying on its humor and wacky yet grounded performances, the franchise has finally found its true voice with Waititi’s “Ragnarok.” The two previous installments in the franchise felt like bland films merely there to setup future occurrences in the M.C.U. but the third decides to go in a completely different direction, ditching its Tolkien-esque approach to the god of thunder and instead embracing a whimsical cosmic adventure feel with plenty of funky visuals.
“Ragnarok” is easily the funniest movie in the franchise and possibly the entire 17-movie M.C.U. Waititi sets the tone from the first scene of the film, which has Chris Hemsworth’s (“Avengers,” “A Cabin in the Woods”) titular hero turning a war of words — and eventually fists — with a melodramatic baddie into a spoof-like encounter only seen on “Saturday Night Live.” The rest of the film follows suit, toeing the line between an over-the-top comedy and an end-of-the-world action flick. Often, movies have trouble finding balance between the two, end up losing sight of their tone and devolve into a messy pile of what-could’ve-been. But Waititi does a fantastic job of coming back to center just before a back-and-forth quip fest between characters is about to knock the movie off the tight rope.
Hemsworth has some serious comedic chops and everyone else also has their time of impromptu hilarity. Tom Hiddleston’s (“Avengers,” “The Night Manager”) Loki is still the perfect foil for Thor but he’s mostly used as a punchline this time around. Mark Ruffalo (“Spotlight,” “Shutter Island”) has never been given this much freedom in his role as Bruce Banner and it’s refreshing, although he spends most of his time in this flick as the Hulk. Tessa Thompson’s (“Creed”) Valkyrie is a solid supporting character, Jeff Goldblum (“Jurassic Park,” “Independence Day”) is in full Goldblum as the quirky Grandmaster and Waititi brings some of the biggest laughs as the voice of Korg, a rock monster that simply wants to be Thor’s friend.
Cate Blanchett (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Carol”) and Anthony Hopkins (“Hannibal,” “Westworld”), however, do not get enough time on screen for them to matter much and that’s where the movie falls short. Blanchett’s Hela, the main antagonist, hardly ever feels like a complete character, even though the Oscar-winning actress flexes her range in the role. She’s simply not given enough to do and the same could be said of Hopkins’ Odin. He’s supposed to bring the movie its heart but his appearances are so brief that they never hit, leaving the film a bit hollow in points that are suppose to be filled with emotion.
Usually, the lack of heart is a critical sin but everything else in this film is so well done that its omission didn’t completely lose me. The pacing is tight, the story is good enough and the acting and comedy is all well done. I can’t see another director helming this franchise after Waititi, who somehow managed to make a god from norse mythology into a relatable character. “Ragnarok” doesn’t make you feel much but it will keep you entertained and make you laugh plenty.
8/10
•••
BOX OFFICE REVIEW
1. “Thor: Ragnarok”: $122,744,989 (Week 1); Buena Vista/Disney.
2. “A Bad Moms Christmas”: $16,759,161 (Week 1); STX Entertainment.
3. “Jigsaw”: $6,558,146 (Week 2); Lionsgate Films. Total gross: $28,694,617 .
4. “Tyler Perry’s Boo 2! A Madea Halloween”: $4,541,190 (Week 3); Lionsgate Films. Total gross: $42,849,613.
5. “Geostorm”: $3,194,031 (Week 3); Warner Bros. Total gross: $28,929,372.
COMING SOON
“Murder on the Orient Express” — A lavish train ride unfolds into a stylish & suspenseful mystery. From the novel by Agatha Christie, Murder on the Orient Express tells of thirteen stranded strangers & one man’s race to solve the puzzle before the murderer strikes again.
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench
“Daddy’s Home 2” — Brad and Dusty must deal with their intrusive fathers during the holidays.
Director: Sean Anders
Cast: Linda Cardellini, Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, Will Ferrell
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” — In this darkly comic drama, a mother personally challenges the local authorities to solve her daughter’s murder, when they fail to catch the culprit.
Director: Martin McDonagh
Cast: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Caleb Landry Jones
“Thelma” — A woman begins to fall in love, only to discover that she has fantastic powers.
Director: Joachim Trier
Cast: Eili Harboe, Kaya Wilkins, Henrik Rafaelsen, Ellen Dorrit Petersen
“Amanda & Jack Go Glamping” — With his marriage and career against the ropes, dejected author Jack Spencer travels with his wife, Amanda, to an isolated glamping retreat in search of a spark. When a surprise double booking finds their private retreat anything but private, Jack spins into a comedic exploration of love, lost dreams, small-town-wisdom, and friendship with a miniature donkey to get over himself before he loses all he holds dear.
Director: Brandon Dickerson
Cast: Amy Acker, Adan Canto, David Arquette, June Squibb
