Laugh-Thor,the best medicine
Film review: Thor: Ragnarok
MANILA, Philippines — Over time, the Marvel Comic Universe (MCU) has taken several different approaches in presenting its superheroes. From earnest do-gooders to brooding, troubled figures, from bright, airy stories to dark, driven narratives; and oftentimes, peppering humor into the proceedings. But rarely has humor and comedy taken full center stage in terms of film treatment (Deadpool being one previous exception).
The unusual choice of Kiwi Taika Waititi to direct Thor: Ragnarok, the third in the Thor franchise, affords us this unique opportunity, and we can thank our lucky stars that Disney and Marvel gave relative free rein to Waititi to stamp his idiosyncratic style on the proceedings. I loved his work on What We Do in the Shadows and The Hunt for the Wilderpeople, and the broad comedy he brings to Thor: Ragnarok works wonders for turning it into an entertaining romp without losing sight of superhero happenings and situations.
The multi-strand narrative has as its main frame the return from exile of the Goddess of Death Hela (Cate Blanchett) to Asgard, sister to both Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Loki (Tom Huddleston), as their father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) takes his leave to exist on another cosmic plane. Interspersed throughout this are episodes set in other worlds such as Hell and junk-strewn Sakaar, where a Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum) holds sway over Gladiator-like entertainment. What’s impressive and a delight is how Waititi squeezes every scene for one more laugh, guffaw, or wry smile at the expense of our erstwhile noble superheroes. Whether it’s Thor, Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) or the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), no opportunity is squandered in eliciting an extra laugh or joke, and no superhero or villain is made untouchable.
The moonlighting Hemsworth put in with films such as Ghostbusters comes in handy here, as his comedic timing is top notch, making even the most tired or repeated joke a pleasure to behold. Tessa Thompson’s surly Valkyrie is the most impressive of new characters, while Blanchett comes on with a full head of steam but unfortunately, is the one character asked to just play one note throughout the film. I loved how this is the film with the most talkative Hulk, and how even in moments of distress or tragedy, it isn’t long before we’re brought back to this land of silliness and buffoonery — one prime example of this being how a naked Hulk is the source of a joke and even our director doesn’t spare himself from getting onscreen with a lot of CGI, as the rock-hewn Korg — the one in Gladiator-land with the wonderful asides and droll commentary.
I realize this is not a formula that can now take the MCU by storm. It’s a one-off that works precisely because it’s such a surprise and Waititi has such a deft touch in mixing up the silliness with the straightforward superhero tropes. Referencing all over the place, there are nods to such films as Star Wars and Trek, to Lord of the Rings and Gladiator.
What makes this all so fresh and unique is how the humor and comedy are not just sprinkled or done as undertones, but virtually propel and favorably suffuse practically every scene or character. To have achieved this without sacrificing the nobility of Thor or the seriousness of the enterprise he embarks upon is the special magic Waititi has conjured up, making this my best Thor ever.
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