“Thor: Ragnarok” Is Unlike Any of Its Predecessors

With the release of Thor: Ragnarok’s first trailer, fans and movie goers alike knew they were in for something unique. From the rolling thunder of Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song to Thor’s entire body rippling with electricity, the trailer boasts a Thor movie unlike any other. And it delivers. A combination of Guardians of the Galaxy meets Asgardian domain, this movie creates a hilarious fresh adventure spanning worlds previously unexplored by the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Chris Hemsworth is one of the big names in cinema right now and pretty much any movie he is tied to promises a great return on investment. Raking in a staggering $121 million on opening weekend Thor: Ragnarok is no different. Returns are not always a solid indicator of acting prowess but in the case of Ragnarok they most definitely are. Taking on an almost improvisational tone, the film seamlessly connects scene upon scene with its hilarious characters flying through every preposterous conflict imaginable. Korg with is hefty rock frame and formidable stature, finds his comical niche with a falsetto voice that only adds to the absurdity of the movie. Voiced by none other than Taika Waititi the film’s director, Korg is a key part of what makes Ragnarok gold.

Tom Hiddleston coming back as Loki, God of Mischief and brother of Thor, is a welcome familiarity among the multitude of new faces. Among these new faces, academy award winning Cate Blanchett enters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Hela, Asgardian God of Death. With her signature dramatic flair, Blanchett’s performance boarders on the melodramatic but never quite crosses the threshold. This being said, there is one character who just gets it right on all accounts. This is Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie. The actress nails the part and leaves nothing to be desired as the once strong and beautiful female defender of the Gods, now a fallen angel. Her drunk antics and endearing indifference only make the audience love her more. Then, last but not least, is Jeff Goldblum’s eccentric Grandmaster of Sakaar. The man ties together an otherwise wild plot into a manageable line with unparalleled comedic style.

Thor: Ragnarok cannot be explained without discussing its incredible aesthetic visual effects. From the twisting trash piles of Sakaar to the spiraling gold columns of Asgard the team responsible for Ragnarok’s digital environments deserves a raise. Thanks to them, the Marvel Cinematic Universe seems even more real than before and Thor is now one of the more interesting Avengers.