I truly believe Thor: Ragnarokwill stand as Marvel's most beloved God of Thunder movie.
Certainly it will be Watch Russian Mom (2016) Korean moviethe best-reviewed, highest grossing at the box office, superior to Thorand The Dark Worldby any tangible measure -- and introduces a vibrant new character in Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) who damn well better get her due screentime in future movies.
Indeed, Ragnarokis colorful and accessible and full of Taika Waititi's playful spirit, and it does its part to raise the stakes of this particular Marvel franchise. Big stuff happens, stuff that will reverberate into Infinity Warand possibly beyond, stuff you kind of can't believe they actually went through with in this little segue before the whole team gets back together next summer.
SEE ALSO: Jeff Goldblum improvises all the answers to the meaning behind 'Ragnarok' in the latest Thor movieBut there was something about Ragnarokthat didn't sit well with me.
Something I can't believe I'm even leveling as a criticism, especially after falling so hard for Ant-Manand both vols. of Guardians of the Galaxy.
Something that is making me feel like Emperor Joseph II (Jeffrey Jones) criticizing Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" in Amadeus:
How shall one say, Thor: Ragnarok?
Too many jokes.
Too many sight gags. Too many knowing character beats. Too many winky-winks at past movies, too many one-liners and witty ripostes, too many quick cuts away or long lingering looks for maximum comedic impact, too many nonchalant responses to what should be tense and dire situations.
If none of the characters feel any real peril, then why should we?
There are in fact only so many jokes the ear can hear in the course of an evening ... just cut a few, and it would be perfect!
If Ragnarokis an adjustment to the overly serious, faux-Shakespearean theatrics of Thorand The Dark World, then it feels like a slight over-correction, to the extent that it's hard to take any of this very seriously. If none of the characters feel any real peril, then why should we?
Make no mistake: Chris Hemsworth is worthy of goofball comedy -- achingly so, proven time and again outside the Marvel Cinematic Universe -- and his sidekick in this case, Mark Ruffalo's Hulk, is the endearing straight-man, whose big green form has since evolved rudimentary conversational skills that are used to very funny effect indeed.
After the events of Age of Ultron, these two prideful Avengers find themselves captives on a distant planet where they're perfectly suited as contenders in a sort of interplanetary gladiatorial combat. Jeff Goldblum plays planet leader Jeff Goldblum, and as always he's perfect in the role -- I daresay this is the best Jeff Goldblum that Jeff Goldblum has played since his excellent turn as Jeff Goldblum in Jurassic Park.
And all of this would be of little consequence, except that back home in Asgard, Hela (Cate Blanchett) is busy bringing about "Ragnarok," which is some kind of cryptic code-word for the destruction of this little slice of Valhalla that Thor calls home. Of course he wants to stop it, but he's trapped in this proverbial Thunderdome (pun intended).
Maybe the trouble here is that once again, Marvel stumbles on its villain.
Blanchett gnashes and gnaws on the role but can't seem to bite into it; she looks and sounds great as Hela, and I just don't care. Is it because she's ... telling too many jokes?
And to be fair, this movie is funny! Truly funny. You will laugh out loud and have a great time. And good on Marvel to keep trying things, banking on a decade of good will and crowd-pleasing hits in the name of keeping things fresh, feisty and yeah, funny.
But on its own Ragnarokjust winds up feeling manic, slap-happy, maybe even trying a little too hard. I don't know how else to put it.
There are just ... too many jokes.
Topics Marvel
'Counter11 tips for pooping at work when someone's in the next stallA very bendy man is confusing Hong Kong commuters'Through the roof' Christmas trees are the season's most festive prankProve your undying allegiance to 'Harry Potter' with golden snitch engagement ringsThis online retailer is now selling cash!After hacking Netflix, OurMine hits Marvel accounts'Smog refugees' struggle to escape 'Airpocolypse' in BeijingThis site will provide 'Star Wars' autographs that are 100% realFacebook reveals how many times governments requested data in 2016The best 'Mega Man' games ever are going mobileLiam Hemsworth makes an adorably awkward appearance in the Cyrus Christmas photoThese Hogwarts House prints could be the perfect 'Harry Potter' Xmas present11 good things of 2016Uber's selfNASA just performed a 'miracle save' for its farthest spacecraftCheeky sunbathing seal is a literal traffic stopper and locals kind of love itWar of words after flashy headlines claim hackers can take down a planeMenstruationFire station Christmas card features 6 super cute firefighter's babies Blizzard and Twitch just had the most amazing 'Overwatch' GIF exchange Ellen DeGeneres had the best time ever at the People's Choice Awards The deplorables have arrived in Washington, but they're not exactly united Trump's 2017 vs Obama's 2009: A brutal inaugural concert comparison The Trump livestream is unbearable but 372 people are holding on for dear life Webb telescope took a direct image of two exoplanets. See it now. The number of LGBTQ The 'most anticipated' Sundance movies top bloggers can't wait to see Here's why those tech billionaires are throwing millions at ethical AI Donald Trump's official inauguration cups are essentially red Solo cups Serena Williams gracefully disses a reporter who called her 'scrappy' How to watch Donald Trump's inauguration Watch Russell Westbrook commit quite possibly the funniest traveling violation in NBA history Facebook just replaced your desktop inbox with Messenger Bless these feminist 'Young Pope' tweets 'Split' review: M. Night Shyamalan's new film is a tense, entertaining mess The important reason women are tweeting photos of their shoes How to lose your verified account: Pretend to be communist Jackie Onassis Feds sue student loan giant Navient: What borrowers need to know Not even the Minions are safe from Trump's inauguration
2.7404s , 10134.6328125 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Watch Russian Mom (2016) Korean movie】,Charm Information Network