Movie Review: ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ Cool, Amusing Despite Formula

 

(Photo Credit: Walt Disney Pictures) 

 

 

Cool and Amusing, But Formulaic

 

1/2

 

Comic book fans might place me on their hit list for the next statement, but Marvel and DC Comic films have fallen head first into the Hollywood formulaic trap.


The trap exists in many major motion pictures of the day.


A planet or realm (as in the case of “Thor: Ragnarok”) is in danger because of the devastating plans of a malevolent leader and it is up to the good guys like Thor (Chris Hemsworth) to save the day and restore peaceful order to the universe.


Yes, superhero movie fans will say that obviously superheroes are supposed to save the world from evil because that is why they are superheroes.  But maybe having more tragic superheroes would make these films less predictable.


And while “Thor: Ragnarok” is a cool and enjoyable movie, it breaks no new ground in the flooded movie marketplace.


The lack of uniqueness tempers the amusing and well-written dialogue because the formulaic approach leads to predictability and inevitability.


In the film “Thor: Ragnarok,” the realm of Asgard is in danger from the ragnarok, which is a rapture/apocalyptic event that will destroy the realm in which Thor and his family originated.


The god of thunder, Thor is the son of Odin (Anthony Hopkins), the ruler of Asgard.


However, Odin is missing in action and Thor and his adopted brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) have to locate him in order to stop the ragnarok from occurring.


Unfortunately, Thor learns from his father that the ragnarok is irreversible and inevitable because they have an older sister name Hela (Cate Blanchett), the goddess of death, who is the true heir to the throne of Asgard and she is hell bent on returning Asgard from a benevolent dictatorship to an en evil dictatorship.


Before Thor was born, Hela and Odin ruled the nine realms with violence and malice.


However, a change of heart from Odin strained his relationship with his daughter who wanted to retain their violent ways.


In order to stop her evil desires, Odin had Hela imprisoned so that she could not proceed with her evil plans.


However, her imprisonment will end upon Odin’s death, and when that happens no other being on the planet is strong enough to stop her malicious plans for the world.


What happens next is what is expected.


Thor gathers a bunch of his friends to fight his newfound sister for the future of Asgard and for the protection of its people.


Actually, Thor and all of his friends and enemies do a good job with a good script.


Tessa Thompson plays the powerful alcoholic of the crew, Valkyrie.


She is beyond powerful while inebriated, so just imagine how powerful she would be sober.


Maybe she is the tragic or fallen hero that Marvel Studios needs to break the formulaic cycle of superhero movies.


Benedict Cumberbatch makes a brief appearance as Dr. Strange, which is still one of the best superhero films of the last couple of years.


And Idris Elba makes a brief appearance as well as Heimdall.


Furthermore, the visuals are exquisite like in every other Marvel movie.


Nevertheless, the good performances and good dialogue in “Thor: Ragnarok” just cannot overcome the same storyline in almost every big budget movie.


Hollywood studios should spend a little more time changing up the script, because it is the same story over and over.


REGAL RATINGS

FOUR CROWNS=EXCELLENT

THREE CROWNS=GOOD

TWO CROWNS=AVERAGE

ONE CROWN=POOR


 

 

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