Here’s the thing about a good parody. The gag only works if the dig packs a powerful punch. The latest Thor film, Love and Thunder, looks more like a sketch for an MTV movie award show than a full-length feature film. But don’t blame it on the hammerman. Blame it on the pressure to deliver a hit when every other MCU [Marvel Cinematic Universe] actor is now floating in his or her own superhero universe.
A lot is going on in Love and Thunder. The plot is twofold, with Thor (Chris Hemsworth) fighting alongside the Gods to save a group of children from the hands of a butcher named Gorr (Christian Bale). Simultaneously, he is navigating his rocky love story with Dr. Jane Foster aka The Mighty Thor (Natalie Portman). Thor meets old friends, makes new ones, and goes from flexing his big guns to doing the full Monty in a matter of minutes.
Taika Waititi’s personal take on pop culture, music, fashion, and humour is evident throughout the film’s 120 minutes. To be sure, there are some genuine laughs in the film, but the majority of them do not involve Thor. There will be many familiar faces from Thor’s universe, as well as numerous references to previous films and some cross-over moments. In fact, one of the best scenes in the film is a lengthy show reel that introduces the audience to Thor.
What the film excels at is providing the audience with a good value for their money. The visual effects, sets, and action scenes are all excellent. In fact, The Might Thor and Gorr’s fight scenes are among the best choreographed in recent MCU history. Russel Crowe’s Zeus act is hilarious, and you can’t help but wonder if this is the same guy who played a Gladiator in the past.
Here’s the trailer of Thor: Love and Thunder
As Gorr, Christian Bale is rock solid and menacing in most scenes. Portman and Hemsworth have fantastic chemistry, and their comic timing is spot on. The soundtrack, particularly the late 1980s rock songs, adds flavour to the major scenes.
Love and Thunder is enjoyable if not compared to Ragnarok. There are classic Thor moments, as well as larger-than-life action sequences. Let’s hope the next Thor film feels more organic and wholesome than just a stopover to make a quick buck for Marvel’s executives.