11/5/2017 - Thor: Ragnarok (2017) -  6+/10

What a fun time at the movies, which is exactly what it is trying to be. This a a loud, gregarious, and non-self-serious firework. It is exhilarating joy that is ideal for groups/friends, but is fleeting and scant in meaningfulness. Ragnarok has the quirk of the proposed Ant-Man, the humor of Guardians, and the comic book action of...well, most of them, but it is proper COMIC BOOK amusement.

This is by no means my favorite of Taika Waititi’s films (Hunt For the Wilderpeople and What We Do in the Shadows are better), but I love the voice he brought to this movie; literally and figuratively. He obviously had to get from point A to point C, but we were allowed to zip over, around, through, and dance about B, before we ended our journey. This film breathes character and flaunts personality, while still fitting in the precious Marvel mold. That is a win, and a safe win at that.

Such camaraderie between the actors, namely Hiddleston and Hemsworth, but the whole cast seemed attuned to the right vibe. Thor/Loki had a fine interplay that really comes into its own with this tongue-in-cheek slyness. Blanchett is pitch perfect, as one would expect and Jeff Goldblum definitely makes a move steal the show, with the perfect intergalactic weirdness.

Not a “great film” but a great deal of fun. Perhaps tried a bit too hard to be funny but it clicked most of the time. They consistently tried 3 jokes when 1-2 were needed, but it didn’t seem out of place or over-the-top in a way to disrupt my enjoyment. The action was a little more bland and typical. I would also say that the juxtaposition of the outlandish emptiness of the fun didn’t always jibe with the world ending tragedy that is the titular crux of the film. The apotheosis and catharsis felt truncated and neutered, for the totality of the Thor/Marvel saga.

That said, despite or because of its simplicity and goofiness, I couldn’t help smile and find myself being into the whole thing. Entertainment was splattered over this entire film, just like the Kirby and Simonson influences & references (bonus!). I didn’t love this film. I liked it, but I did love a moment. Call me a sucker, but it had the best use of a song to really nail an intense fun moment with Zeppelin playing over the finale. It has stuck with me since seeing it and makes me want to see that scene again.