Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

3 1/2 Stars (out of 4)

Ragna-rific

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

The seventeenth movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Series, Thor: Ragnarok feels quite a bit like the fifteenth, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. It looks amazing, like a 1960s art-deco sci-fi movie gone bonkers in a whirl of colors and shapes; it's often thrilling, sometimes touching, and above all, it's very funny.

But is it too funny? This Thor (Chris Hemsworth, his fifth time in the role), with a spiffy shorter haircut, is a total goofball, and quite a far cry from the noble Thunder God created for the comics in the early 1960s by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby. That Thor was a bit of a stiff. In Thor (2011), director Kenneth Branagh attempted to fit him into an action movie with some Shakespearian elegance. It worked, but then Joss Whedon allowed Thor to be a little silly with his fellow Avengers (2012).

Game of Thrones veteran Alan Taylor attempted an awkward compromise in Thor: The Dark World (2013) and came up with what many consider the worst in the series.

Now New Zealand director Taika Waititi takes over. With films like the funny, heartfelt coming-of-age stories Boy and Hunt for the Wilderpeople and the found-footage vampire comedy What We Do in the Shadows, he had nothing like this on his resume.

With spry style, Waititi pushes Thor all the way into comedy, and even though it might not be the honorable thing to do, it feels good. It's done with joy and confidence, and a measure of love.

The "Ragnarok" of the title is a kind of armageddon, coming soon to Asgard. Thor hasn't been back home in some time and discovers that Loki (Tom Hiddleston) has taken over the throne, disguised as Odin, while the real Odin (Anthony Hopkins) is gone.

This leads to the release of their long-imprisoned elder sister, the Goddess of Death, Hela (Cate Blanchett); she wishes to claim her rightful place on the throne, and doesn't mind destroying just about everything to get there.

Unfortunately, while fighting her, both Thor and Loki are flung to a far corner of the universe, the planet Sakaar, ruled by the hilariously weird Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum). Thor is forced to fight a champion, which turns out to be the long-lost Hulk (Mark Ruffalo).

In short, they must escape, accompanied by a former valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), return to Asgard and save the day.

Though Thor: Ragnarok may feel like a lightweight entertainment, it comes packed with the same ingredients that made Whedon's The Avengers so good. It has a sense of teamwork, of very human connections, but it also comes with a sense of the individual.

Unlike so many other franchises, Waititi has been allowed and encouraged to bring his own touch to this expensive movie. It feels less like mass-manufactured fast-food and more like a home-cooked meal, complete with drinks and laughs, for his friends.

Part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise.

Released in March of 2018, Disney's Blu-ray release is absolutely superb in both audio and visuals and in extras. It comes with a DVD and a digital copy, and a very entertaining commentary track by director Waititi. There are great deleted scenes (with more business by Jeff Goldblum) a funny gag reel, and lots of EPK-type featurettes, which are still fun for Marvel fans. We also get a funny little fake documentary wherein the Grandmaster becomes Darryl's roommate, and 8-bit sequences that the filmmakers made in preparation for two of the big battle scenes. This is great, fun stuff, worth owning and watching again and again.