This 3rd Thor solo movie starts great, with some pleasant surprises in the opening half hour, including some clever cameos. Thor is railroaded by Surtur (a huge fiery demon) who warns him of Ragnarok (Armageddon for Askgard). Thor is reunited with Loki and then shortly meets
with Doctor Strange who gives Loki a taste of his own medicine.
The force behind Ragnarok is Hela, Thor’s older sister and rightful heir to the throne. Cate Blanchett’s has become accustomed to villainous roles and once again she proves she can do evil and devious. Boy is she a force to be reckoned with.
Idris Elba returns as Heimdall but for reasons unknown is absent his post, while Tessa Thompson (“Creed”) joins the Marvel world as Valkyrie. But the main selling point here is Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner/Hulk is also back in the game. As crazy as it sounds, the Banner/Hulk character brings a much-needed sense of reality to things. In a way this is Marvel’s attempt to incorporate the planet Hulk story-line.
Director Taika Waititi does instill some much-needed energy into the “Thor” series with some fresh locations and inventive creatures. Compared to the first two films this has a much different feel.
This is quite a mix of 80’s retro nostalgia, with a “Star Wars” feel when it comes to action and a lot of “Guardians of the Galaxy” vibe in respect to comedy and soundtrack.
Jeff Goldblum rounds out the cast as the Grandmaster kind of a Batiatus (“Spartacus”) and Herod (“The Passion of the Christ”) type of character.
What doesn’t work is the 3D format while the depth is clearly visible and done well the in your face aspect is nearly non-existent.
PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive material
The action is fairly light here, but the main issue is with the sexual material, in terms of several racy references that are border lined R rated, to nearly seeing Hulk’s rump and junk.
LOGAN AT THE MOVIES RATING B+
