Direction: Taiki Waititi; Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom
Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Hopkin; Screenplay:
Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle, Christopher Yost;
Based on Thor by Stan Lee; Cinematography: Javier Aguirresarobe;
Editing: Joel Negron, Zene Baker;
Producer: Marvel Studios; Music: Mark Motherscaugh; Genre:
Sci-Fi Action; Distributor: Walt Disney Motion Pictures; Location:
Asgard, Sakaar; Running Time: 130
minutes
Technical
assessment: 3.5
Moral assessment: 3
CINEMA rating: V14
MTRCB rating: PG13
Thor (Hemsworth), imprisoned by fire demon Surtur learns that the
prophesy of Ragnarok – the destruction of Asgard – is going to happen soon
because of the absence of his father Odin (Hopkins). Thor returns to Asgard and
finds his brother Loki (Hiddlestone) impersonating Odin. He forces Loki to look
for their father and finds him in Norway. As Odin dies, Hela, his firstborn
daughter imprisoned long ago because of her ambition to take over the Galaxy
escapes. She destroys the Mjolnir and upon return to Asgard kills the loyal
soldiers and resurrects her ancient army. Before she is able to expand the
Bifrost Bridge and expand Azgard’s empire, Heimdall steals the sword
controlling the bridge and hides the rest of the Asgardians as a resistance
against Hela. Meanwhile, Thor and Loki
crash land on Sakaar. The Grandmaster (Goldblum) forces Thor to compete in the
contest of champions and faces off with Hulk.
Eventually, Thor, Loki, Hulk and a former Valkyrie team up to escape
Sakaar and save Asgard. A fight ensures with Hela proving to be too powerful
despite the combined forces and powers of Thor and company. Left with no
choice, Thor asks Loki to allow Surtur to reunite his crown with the Eternal Flame
under the city. Hela is destroyed but so is Asgard. In the end, Thor and the
remaining Asgardians escape in the Grandmaster’s ship enroute to Earth.
Thor is a combination of a sure win
blockbuster: comical heroism, kick ass villain, mesmerizing visuals,
recognizable characters, and action-packed scenes. There was no way Thor
Ragnarok could have failed in the box office with its irreverent comedy and
lighthearted storytelling. You more than relate with the situation because you
fall in love with the characters. Overall, the film is enjoyable despite
occasional difficulty in keeping up with the names, characters and subplots.
But the visuals and action make up for these.
Amidst the predictable courage and
teamwork in superhero films, two ideas stand out. First, we are shown the
meaning of citizenship. Love of country supersedes self-preservation. Both Loki
and Thor made their choices while on Sakaar. Loki saved himself and was
contented to be at the beck and call of the Grandmaster, Thor would not stop until
he returns to Asgard to save his people. Love of country is not conquering
others or expanding an empire as Hela wants. It is protecting the people and
making sure they have a decent life. Second, people can always become a better
version of themselves. Loki, Valkerie, Hulk and Scourge recognized their past
mistakes and followed their heart to take the higher road and fight for what is
good. Of course, the transformation comes after admission and with the
willingness to embrace selflessness. The movie is a superhero film and
naturally would entail fighting and violence. It is advisable to have a mature
adult accompany young audiences.
