Endgame Thor/God of Thunder - Chris Hemsworth

[harlequinade]

Definitely, but it's probably gonna be GotG3 first

 

[KRYPTON INC.]

Spoiler

They made a choice with Thor here that frankly is emblematic of the MCU as a whole, but which always gets dismissed by the die hard uber fans.

And it's not an easy complaint to take stock of for some because... This strategy is working for Marvel because fans and the majority of the audience is rewarding them for this approach. And it's not a question of something being outright "bad".

First off... Let's give a hand to Hemsworth in general. He's no less than Evans or RDJ been a cornerstone of this universe. I know from the first I loved this guy in the part. THOR 1 is a great phase one film in my eyes. Yes... It could have used a goose to bring it up to a more epic scale in terms of budget. But Thor was the one property at the time that for me was make or break for Marvel Studios. Iron Man, Hulk, Cap? I think by comparison they are easy sells to the audience. But the world of Thor from the comics? If you are doing that you have to commit. In doing it you are showing that you are COMMITTED. And... They pulled it off with flying colors. The first Thor film, whatever quibbles you might have gave us Asgard in all it's proper glory, it gave us Hopkins as Odin, Tom as Loki, Chris as Thor and it delivered on the grand family drama of the gods that IS Thor. This wild and outrageous concept was made to seem both reasonable and larger than life. They cast a spell of suspension of disbelief and a very big part of that was getting Hemsworth in the role. And in this two film cycle of IW and AEG Thor has been front and center, and given some good material to showcase that despite how crazy the idea is, this super hero is formidable and interesting and engaging.

All that said...

I am not at all one of those that thinks Thor needed to be "fixed". He worked fine in his first film, fine in A1 and fine in AoU. His second film was simply very lackluster. Ironically because of aspects they actually doubled down on in his third film... And here's the rub. I enjoyed Ragnarok. It's immensely entertaining. It's "fun". But I think if you had a problem with Thor in ENDGAME but you embraced Thor in his third film... Well that's part of the problem. AND... This is a thorny little conundrum as is a lot of the issue that in the MCU "fun" means usually heightened amounts of humor and often perfunctory super hero dramatics. That was the biggest issue with THE DARK WORLD. It felt like much more time and effort went into ensuring the comedy than the drama and action. But then... The same could be said for Ragnarok. There... I can't deny the jokes worked. They do employ effective humor. But I also can't deny the stuff that should be SOUL SHATTERING or given more time and depth is kinda on the back burner. Thor learns he has a long lost exiled sister and that the history his father told him was all bull****... Does that really register in the movie? Is it given time to? No. I'm sorry but it's not. And yet... The humor and light tone of TR did work. I can't say it didn't. But it did so at the expense of what should be huge character building and revealing aspects of our main character. Again... I know we all loved his "power up" but that's not character building. It's just cool that he was more powerful than before in presentation. And with the wider audience, that's not even what clicked with them. They loved that now, Thor, like every other headliner character in the MCU sans maybe Cap, Panther and Vision, is a humorous hero, quick with a joke and used for heavy comedic purposes within the script. So... Is it any surprise they leaned so heavily into that in AEG? And I will admit... I'm a bit torn because there is a logic to his arc. They built on the fantastic aspects we saw in IW. IW was a really great outing for the character. And here... I liked what they were going for and showing more vulnerability... But they went to the joke well a tad too much overall, even if I liked it generally. Like... Once he actually met his mother, they needed to turn the joke-o-meter down from the 11 they set it at and maybe go down to a seven. As in TR, the humor cut into what should have been deeply emotional for Thor.

On the flip side of that though... I don't think the overall execution was as devastating as some fans here are making it out to be. Thor was still badass in the final third and frankly if you want comic accuracy well, look at the classic clashes between the Avengers and Thanos and you'll see that even when Thor is serious as a heart attack that he can't once punch Thanos or something. He certainly isn't shown that way in those old Starlin stories. And... That's fine. It was fine then and it's fine now. Thor gave a great showing.

Once again though... I think they did lean far too heavy into the humor. At the same time... Maybe the fans that so uncritically embrace this side of the MCU should start asking if continually rewarding Marvel for doing this, even when the comedy is good and the films aren't precisely "ruined" by this heavy dosage of "fun" didn't in the long run contribute to this outcome for a character that was never really known for being associated with laugh a minute stories? I might even add... I loved AEG, but the timey whimey nonsense of the ending and the way that they wrote a conclusion that has incredibly far reaching implications that I am pretty goddamned sure they will never get into.... Because that wouldn't be "fun", well.. Maybe once more they feel they can get away with that... Because we kept letting them get away with that in general?

 

[HammerDown]

10 seconds of magic!

Spoiler

The scene where Thor armors up has landed on Youtube. I love it so much.

 

[harlequinade]

He had so many lovely moments in this movie, I just cannot wait to see his scenes again

 

[Shuri]

They did Thor so dirty in this. Regressed his character and didn't even give him one outstanding moment. I love fun Ragnarok Thor, and I defended him against those that thought he was too funny. But they went too far with him here. I spoiled myself before watching it, so it didn't enrage me much in the cinema. But I was so disappointed. After this, they owe Thor, Hemsworth and Taika Thor 4 so he can end Thor's arc properly.

 

[First Avenger]

I love seeing characters at their worst as much as I love them at their best, so I loved Thor here once again. The most exciting thing for me is that he has a new starting point at the end of the movie and I can't wait to see more of him.

 

[ciscostudent561]

Spoiler

The scene with his mom was the most touching for me. Ironically he was at the state Valkyrie was before he showed up in Ragnarok 3.

 

[Shuri]

Yeah I see why guys werent huge fans of Thor's portrayl in this, but outside of the action I did really like his scenes with certain characters. Hemsworth was definitely firing on all cylinders here with his performance, although its easy to overlook that stuff when hes lacking in other areas.

Loved his scene with

Spoiler

his mother

. Best performance from Hemworth.

 

[harlequinade]

Him

Spoiler

breaking down as soon as he heard Thanos' name said by banner was even more impressive for me

 

[Shuri]

As always Hemsworth's a fantastic Thor, but -

Spoiler

the character has basically become Chris Pratt's Star Lord 2.0

This! Hemsworth said something about loving the gotg so much he wanted something fun like that for Thor. I think that's why they brought in Waititi. And it worked out. But I'm weary of Thor being in

Spoiler

gotg. Gunn might take it too far again

. I just want Thor 4.

 

[harlequinade]

I'll watch anything with Thor in it so I'm happy about either one of those lol

 

[Shuri]

Spoiler

(unabashedly shipping Thor and Star-Lord, btw).

Spoiler

Both are going to be fighting for the affection of past Gamora . Just kidding. I'm still shipping Thor/Valkyrie, too bad we didn't get more of them in Endgame.

 

[BigThor]

They did Thor so dirty in this. Regressed his character and didn't even give him one outstanding moment. I love fun Ragnarok Thor, and I defended him against those that thought he was too funny. But they went too far with him here. I spoiled myself before watching it, so it didn't enrage me much in the cinema. But I was so disappointed. After this, they owe Thor, Hemsworth and Taika Thor 4 so he can end Thor's arc properly.

Straight up

 

[Shuri]

I hope Thor gets to appear in a bunch more MCU films.

I want him in every team up movie. I think will get more of that in place of Avengers movies for a while.

 

[Shuri]

I love Chris and I wish he had the better luck outside of MCU. He is so funny!

I can't wait for MIB. He has great chemistry with Tessa. I hope it doesn't flop.

 

[BigThor]

Thor better have a badass fight with Adam Warlock in GOTG 3.

I'm excited to see Thor in a film that's going to be set 100% in space with lots of space travel. We should finally get to see Thor fly through space and have some cool aerial space battles.

 

[Shuri]

Him

Spoiler

breaking down as soon as he heard Thanos' name said by banner was even more impressive for me

I forgot that. Great scene. This movie has some of the best acting in the MCU. Hemsworth, Johanssen, Paul Rudd and Tilda Swinton were MVP to me. Tilda's range is not a suprise, but the other three took me by surprise.

 

[BigThor]

Him

Spoiler

breaking down as soon as he heard Thanos' name said by banner was even more impressive for me

I agree, it sent chills down my spine I really felt the pain and anguish of someone who desperately tried to fix a mistake only and in the end nothing was changed.

 

[harlequinade]

I can't wait for MIB. He has great chemistry with Tessa. I hope it doesn't flop.

It will flop so hard :/

 

[RoastBeast]

They did Thor so dirty in this. Regressed his character and didn't even give him one outstanding moment. I love fun Ragnarok Thor, and I defended him against those that thought he was too funny. But they went too far with him here. I spoiled myself before watching it, so it didn't enrage me much in the cinema. But I was so disappointed. After this, they owe Thor, Hemsworth and Taika Thor 4 so he can end Thor's arc properly.

I was sitting here, considering, almost thinking that there was some kind of a need to dismantle all of the success of Ragnarok in this and IW. Loki was well-received? Kill him brutally. Hulk- chicken-show in IW when he's needed most. Thor was more popular than ever? well... this. Only Valkyrie came through unscathed.

Definitely need a Thor 4, and without the Russo Bros. involvement, as I just think they don't get it with this little group of characters. Thor shouldn't be an infinite fat alcoholic joke.

This issue is my one quibble with Endgame.

 

[HammerDown]

The funniest scene for me was...

Spoiler

The Aether story. The movie basically stopped so that Lebowski Thor could has his moment and it was freaking hilarious. CH is so funny with his mannerisms... The whole scene is gold, from Thor sitting down on the corner with the shades on and "sleeping", to the begining of the story where he was clearly intoxicated... "I'm from Asgard" lol... Then he goes into the Jane Foster bit... Everyone's reaction is so funny and Professor Hulk signals that someone should stop Thor and in the end Tony Stark tries to take him away with the promise of breakfast to what Thor responds "No... a bloody mary." Even RDJ was almost bursting out laughing.

 

[B]

This! Hemsworth said something about loving the gotg so much he wanted something fun like that for Thor. I think that's why they brought in Waititi. And it worked out. But I'm weary of Thor being in

Spoiler

gotg. Gunn might take it too far again

. I just want Thor 4.

I know I'm probably in the minority, but I thought Thor was in a decent place pre-Ragnarok, he still had his moments of humour & quick wit without it being too over the top.

Spoiler

Which I felt it was in Ragnarok & again in Endgame, they had him in a nice place for Infinity War, he had his moments of humour but still kept that essence of seriousness throughout the film.

The reason he was able to keep that essence in Infinity War is because, unlike in Endgame, everything he did or said wasn't designed to get a smirk or a laugh from the audience which is what it felt like for the majority of his lines/actions in Endgame.

 

[harlequinade]

My crowd loved Thor the most so I really doubt this, the only people complaining are people here and on some of the reddit, GA will love him here

 

[harlequinade]

The funniest scene for me was...

Spoiler

The Aether story. The movie basically stopped so that Lebowski Thor could has his moment and it was freaking hilarious. CH is so funny with his mannerisms... The whole scene is gold, from Thor sitting down on the corner with the shades on and "sleeping", to the begining of the story where he was clearly intoxicated... "I'm from Asgard" lol... Then he goes into the Jane Foster bit... Everyone's reaction is so funny and Professor Hulk signals that someone should stop Thor and in the end Tony Stark tries to take him away with the promise of breakfast to what Thor responds "No... a bloody mary." Even RDJ was almost bursting out laughing.

Rocket and Lang's reactions were killing me

 

[HammerDown]

It will flop so hard :/

I think it will be just fine. The second trailer was much better received and Sony was smart to capitalize on Post AEG buzz for Chris Hemsworth and Tessa Thompson. CH comedic timing, delivery, maneirisms... coupled with his chemistry with TT, already shown in Ragnarok, should do enough to carry a movie that has a strong brand attached to it.