In his youth, he courted war with his rage and arrogance that led him to being exile on Earth, where he gradually learn the humility and grace of being a hero. In his adult, he became an Avenger in the battle of New York against his adopted trickster brother. Now, he is about to come full circle in Thor: Ragnorak with Chris Hemsworth back for another bout as the Asgard god of thunder. The film finds Thor once again allying with Loki (Tom Hiddleston), who’s been alive and well since The Dark World: taking his “rightful place” as the king of Asgard … in the form of their father Odin (Sir Anthony Hopkins). With the help of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), the brothers found Odin, who warns them of their sister Hela, the Goddess of Death (Cate Blanchett), who definitely brought the hammer of Thor down … permanently.
Her purpose? To take HER “rightful place” as the ruler of Asgard, making her a female Loki of sorts.
And speaking of Loki, he’s enjoying “glad tidings” when he and Thor were sent to another planet: the planet of a certain mean green “big guy”. It is on this planet that Loki is friends with the Grand Master (Jeff Goldblum), while Thor was sold into slavery by Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), and he must fight against Grand Master’s undefeated champion: The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). Thor may no longer have his hammer and long hair, but he is about to show everyone that he is still the god of thunder: convincing the Hulk and Valkyrie to help him in his fight against Hela and save the people of Asgard … as the Revengers.
Why? Because Thor wants revenge, Valkyrie wants revenge, but that’s the second reason. The first? It’s what heroes do. It’s who Thor is, and continues to be in Ragnorak.
The film is more funnier, lighter, and cooler than the previous two – especially with Hemsworth rocking Thor’s new look that would make Russell Crowe’s titular Gladiator very proud. And let’s not forget the smashdown between Thor and Hulk as the highlight of the film. The question still remains, though: who is the most mightiest AND most strongest Avenger/Revenger of all? We may never know, but there’s no questioning the worthiness of Thor: Ragnorak.
Rating: ****