Review: ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ a great pick for families
Parents need to know that “Thor: Ragnarok” is the third chapter in Marvel’s solo-superhero series about the ancient god of thunder, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) — and the first to be directed by cult favorite Taika Waititi (“What We Do in the Shadows”). It’s much less serious and dark than the previous Thor installments (especially “The Dark World”); humor/tone-wise, it’s a lot more like “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Antman.” Violence will probably be the main issue for most parents: Characters die, and there’s more slashing and stabbing than in other Marvel movies, though it’s still mostly gore-free and non-graphic. You can also expect plenty of big, explosive comic book-style moments. Language includes “ass” and “s--t,” as well as adolescent humor-style references to masturbation and orgies. One character drinks a lot, but it’s not treated as a serious problem. There’s a theme of facing major, traumatic change that will have ripples throughout future Marvel titles and may have an impact on younger viewers; characters also display positive traits including courage and perseverance. WHAT’S THE STORY?
Plagued by visions of Ragnarok — that is, the death of the gods and the end of Asgard — Thor (Chris Hemsworth) moves to avert the long-foretold disaster in “Thor: Ragnarok.” After suffering a terrible personal loss, the son of Odin discovers lifechanging truths about Asgard, his family, and the true threat. He finds he must escape captivity and recruit friends both new (Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie) and old (Mark Ruffalo as Hulk) for an epic confrontation against the most powerful forces he’s ever faced (namely, Cate Blanchett as Hela, Goddess of Death). IS IT ANY GOOD?
The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most audacious entry so far, Thor’s third stand-alone movie goes there with wild, bold choices — and it succeeds, epically, on many levels. “Thor: Ragnarok” is a triumphant unification of diverse MCU elements. It’s as gonzofunny as the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, it steps up the sci-fi from those and the Avengers entries, it expands on the best mythological threads of the previous Thor films, it introduces exciting sword-and-sorcery action, and it even allows for real, believable character growth. Director Taika Waititi and the screenwriters have realized that all these things exist simultaneously in this everexpanding storytelling cosmos, and they embrace it all.
Ragnarok has dragons and demons and the Goddess of Death, spaceships and lasers and wormholes, gladiatorial combat and revolution, and even some magic in the form of a Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) crossover. Not ony does Waititi stir these ingredients together with the aplomb of a mad-but-brilliant chef, but he boldly adds his own special sauce with his quirky humor and even the use of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” as a kind of new, perfectly chosen theme for Thor.
We’ve seen hints of it before, but “Ragnarok” fully unlocks Hemsworth’s Thor as a likable comic figure capable of personal growth. He’s actually evolving into the great king he must become, while getting funnier with each appearance. The return of Ruffalo’s Hulk is more than welcome — so much so that the only complaint with the film’s eye-popping action is there isn’t enough of him in the final battle.
Waititi shows, as James Gunn did with the “Guardians” movies, that an artist can be oneself and play within the same sprawling sandbox as others. The ambitious “Thor: Ragnarok” mixes wildly disparate elements — and achieves a kind of alchemy.