Thor is the most impressive Avenger to have undergone a major overhaul. The Marvel Cinematic Universe’s two Thor movies were among the worst. However, things changed once Taika Waititi, director of the Thor movies, got his hands on this character. Thor: Ragnarok is one of the highest-rated MCU movies to date, and managed to completely rework the Marvel character to better suit Chris Hewsworth’s strength as an actor. Five years later Waititi, Hemsworth reunited for the second time. Thor: Love and ThunderYou can find our review of the book below.
Thor: Love and ThunderReview without spoilers
In the final minutes of Avengers: Endgame, Thor joined the Guardians of the Galaxy as they departed Earth in the wake of Thanos’ defeat. Love and Thunder gets us up to speed on the team’s exploits since the finale. Thor has gotten back into godlike shape, but he’s still in the midst of a midlife crisis when we rejoin him and the Guardians.
Thor and the Guardians make a decision to part ways after saving an ill-fated planet. Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), leaves Thor with a message. He tells Thor to find his reason to be alive, much like Peter Quill with his team of intergalactic warriors.
Thus begins Thor’s journey to find himself, which means reconnecting with his ex-girlfriend, battling a god-slaying villain, meeting his idol, and, of course, saving the universe.
One reason is Thor: RagnarokIt was so refreshing to see that the stakes were so low. The majority of the time, Thor: RagnarokThis buddy comedy-comedy featured two of the most powerful characters in the MCU. It was heartfelt, but humor was the main focus.
Can’t match Ragnarok
Meanwhile, Love and ThunderIt attempts to balance heavier concepts and storylines. If you’ve read the comic book run that Waititi drew inspiration from, you’ll already know why Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) ends up wielding Mjolnir.
The movie doesn’t take the time it should to fully reckon with her condition, and that makes it difficult to revel in her superpowered glow-up. Similar to Elizabeth Olsen. Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of MadnessPortman clearly has a lot of fun in her most exciting MCU role. It just doesn’t quite do her justice.
Love and ThunderIt is also a very economical job to set up Gorr, the God Butcher (Christian Bale), a sympathetic antagonist. To save his daughter, he asked for the help of the god that his people worshiped. Gorr was refused by the god and tried to kill him. However, the Necrosword gave Gorr the opportunity to wield it in his final moments. Gorr was able kill his god. Gorr then set out on his own quest to destroy all gods in the universe.
And honestly, it’s hard to blame him. Every god we encounter throughout the world is represented. Love and Thunderis either a buffoon or a dick, but not both. There was an opportunity to explore a very interesting dynamic between Thor and Gorr, but, once again, there isn’t enough time.
Action is more important than heart
Thor: Love and ThunderThe most entertaining entry in Phase 4 so far, featuring some of Marvel’s best fight scenes. Set pieces will keep you on your toes. But the plot and the character development can’t measure up to the action this time around. As the MCU waits for the next big villain, Thor doesn’t seem to have the same momentum as his past appearances.