Even though Hela didn’t get the exposure I would have liked, Waititi did a wonderful job exploring Thor and Hulk’s personalities. We get to see a Thor that is powerless and vulnerable, which is a welcome change given how overpowered he’s felt in previous films. But above all else,we got a taste of what the Hulk is like without Banner, as Mark Ruffalo spends a lot of time as the former. As a longtime fan, the evolution of the Hulk-Banner dynamic is an intriguing one, which is why I was so happy to see Waititi take the approach he did, allowing us to see the other side of the big green monster.
While I’m always impressed with Waititi’s work behind the camera, I like that he steps in front of the camera from time-to-time. In Ragnarok, Waititi plays a character from Planet Hulk, Krog. His take on the character is hilarious and it will make you forget about past iterations. Much of the same can be said of Jeff Goldblum’s Grandmaster – who is nothing short of perfection. Goldblum is his typical weird and quirky self and it works splendidly. I wasn’t sure about the choice originally, but after seeing the film I’m convinced Waititi made the right decision. Goldblum can do no wrong!
Thor: Ragnarok – Marvel
Another performance I was fond of was Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie, the last remaining Valkyrior (a group of female lead warriors). Filled with sorrow and regret, Valkyrie spends the majority of her time booing, as she’s also stranded and working for the Grandmaster. She has a friendly relationship with Hulk, which is interesting because very few do.
I also love how colorful and vibrant Ragnarok is, to the point where it actually made me wish I had seen it in 3D. It reminds me of a mixture of Tron, Gladiator and Guardians of the Galaxy all wrapped up in one. It had a killer soundtrack, is hilariously clever and has some of the most memorable fight scenes the MCU has to offer. What could be better than Hulk vs Thor in a gladiator-style arena, surrounded by screaming fans in a fight to the death?
Thor: Ragnarok – Marvel
Thor: Ragnarok is a knockout and delivers in almost every way imaginable. Waititi’s patented brand of quirky humor and charm marries with the story perfectly. It brought a fun and refreshing feel to a franchise that desperately needed a ‘jolt’ (pun intended). While I wish they had spent more time focusing on Hela, the film is still a massive success. From Thor and Hulk’s hysterical chemistry to Goldblum’s zany interpretation of the Grandmaster, Thor: Ragnarok will go down as one of Marvel’s greatest movies. Bring on Infinity War!
9
A hilariously colorful and entertaining experience that will leave you refreshed and ready for Infinity War.
Riley Jones (@moviemanjones)
Riley is the Managing Editor of Goliath. When he's not at the movie theatre or binging some new tv series, he likes to spend his time shooting hoops and play MTG. He doesn't like 'Breaking Bad,' loves 'The Simpsons,' hates mayonnaise, and has been repping the Toronto Raptors since '95. Follow him on IG and Twitter @moviemanjones.
