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THOR: RAGNAROK

Sci-fi adventure. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has been wandering the galaxy looking for the Infinity Stones. When he learns he has a psychotic older sister, Hela (Cate Blanchett) – who now reigns over their home planet, Asgard – he races back, only for her to defeat him and send him to the planet of Sakaar, where he’s forced to fight as a gladiator. Here he encounters both friend – his fellow Avenger Bruce Banner, aka the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) – and foe, his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston).

This fun third instalment in the Thor series is quite a departure from the previous two films. Thor (2011) and Thor: The Dark World (2013) were mostly serious sci-fi sagas although they did poke gentle fun at the god of thunder’s fish-out-of-water situation whenever he found himself on Earth.

But Ragnarok throws Thor into outlandish scenarios where he’s usually the butt of the joke. This makes for engaging entertainment and gives the charismatic Hemsworth a chance to show off his comedy skills, but it undercuts any sense of danger and dulls the impact of the vast destruction caused by Hela.

Some previously important characters’ deaths are blinkand-you’ll-miss-them and Jane and Thor’s centrally important romance is glibly dismissed. But pairing the two weirdest Avengers as a comedy double act is delightful, Loki is as entertaining as always and the wacky and colourful setting is a feast for the eyes.

A breath of fresh air that gives a flagging character his second wind. 2017. 125 MIN. 13LV. ALSO OUT ON DVD.