Review of Thor: Ragnarok (2017) by Reviewergirl — 11 Nov 2017

OK, I first want to say that this movie was funny. I did laugh in the theaters as I saw it. So if you are looking for pure laughs and just a chance to see some old characters again the movie is fine. All the director wanted to do was make people laugh and he achieves that. Its a weak goal for a superhero movie, but I give him the credit he did what he set out to do. This movie is funny and that's where it ends.

I love the MCU and had such high hopes for this film, Thor's story (not necessarily movies) is one of my favorites in the MCU. I thought that Ragnarok would take us on an epic journey to save the fate of the Nine Realms, but it did not.

Ragnarok has entirely too many jokes for something about the end of the world. Ragnarok refuses to take the event or the characters seriously. There are so many emotional moments that need to happen in this movie that don't happen.

SPOILERS:

During the death of major characters there is hardly any emotional response from Thor or Loki or the people of Asgard as a whole. The forced relationship between the villain and Thor and Loki is unnecessary, Hela did not have to be their sibling. It could have easily been that she was a rogue warrior, Odin's first wife or even Odin's sister. The fact that they make her Thor and Loki's sister undercuts the relationship between Thor and Loki. The heart of the Thor story is the bond of brothers having Hela come out of nowhere just doesn't add to the development of the main relationship in the Thor arch which is Thor and Loki. She is a good villain though, but she doesn't need to be related. It's forced for shock value. Then it comes down to the biggest issue I have with the movie is the complete lack of development of Characters. Thor's character has regressed. He was supposed to become wiser, but he's actually become quite dumb. He was supposed to become stronger, but he's actually become quite weak... he can't hold his own against the villain and instead of gain strength and confidence he actually becomes weaker. He is no threat to the villain and the villain knows it. He can't save his people and he knows it. That is rather disappointing for a hero. Also Loki's character, one of the most compelling characters in the MCU who had a beautiful arc gets watered down. His powers, intelligence and personality get watered down. I wanted a cathartic moment between Thor and Loki when they reveal that they need each other and miss each other, but instead everything is played for laughs. Loki's character never had to make a choice to do the right thing... we don't see motivation or the sympathetic emotions that make this character so well loved. The movie is funny, but its no substance. I miss the old characterizations. I miss the poignant emotional moments that Thor and Loki's relationship offered. But the director got what he wanted he made me laugh in theaters and then when I left he made me cry.