Thor: Love and Thunder: More Ragnarok, More Heart (SPOILER-FREE Review)
Thor: Love and Thunder hits like a bolt of lightning. At just over two hours including the full credits this film is quick and punchy. Below is my spoiler-free review, so anyone who hasn’t seen the movie and wants to avoid spoilers will be fine, assuming you’ve seen the trailers. There will be a full spoiler-filled version posted tomorrow, if that is more your speed.
We start with Christian Bale, who I believe will never phone in a performance. He plays Gorr, the last believer of a god in the desert. Following a tragedy, he meets his God, and quickly becomes a villain, Gorr the God Butcher, chosen by the Necrosword, the only sword that can kill a God.
This all happens before the title card.
I wish I could say this film wastes no time, but I don’t think it would really be a Waititi movie if there wasn’t some wasted time.
If you liked Thor: Ragnarok you will probably enjoy this movie. It’s Ragnarok with a big bleeding heart and even more Taika Waititi-isms. Largely, I think that works. Chris Hemsworth really does a lot of good work in this film, playing obliviousness, kindness, strength and weakness with surprisingly dexterity.
And then we have Natalie Portman as Jane Foster. I’m not sure what I can say about her performance that will begin to encapsulate it but she absolutely steals this film.
A lot of this film is told through narrated flashbacks. While I understand that this may seem patronizing to some, I loved them. They provide a clean entry point for casual fans, fill in gaps in the chronology and are usually pretty funny as they’re told by Korg (again played by Waititi).
The introduction of Zeus (Russel Crowe) and other Gods create an interesting franchise expansion possibility, but I do feel that scene drags somewhat. (Though I will never, ever complain about some good old fashioned superhero butt.) The film really shines when it is about characters trying to open themselves up to each other and that doesn’t really happen in this scene.
Perhaps for the first time in recent memory the idea that love is what saved the day is presented in a way that feels realistic and complicated. Without giving anything away, the story has both Thor and Jane do what they do out of an expression of love.
At the end of the day Thor: Love and Thunder is about human connection and love, and it does not mind telling you so. It’s refreshing to see a superhero movie be so sweet. Waititi brings his wicked sense of humor as both the story writer and director. I know that may not land for some people, but I happen to find this movie darn near perfect. Long live Love and Thunder (if you know you know).
I could’ve done with a few less goat screams, though. That’s the only thing I wish they had reined in.
I give Thor: Love and Thunder (Marvel Studios; PG-13; 2hrs, 5mins) a 4.5 out of 5
