It's interesting that outside the Avengers franchise, it would be Thor that hits the 4th solo film milestone first. Thor didn't seem like many people's favorite Avenger, until Thor: Ragnarok happened. That film did for Thor what Captain America: The Winter Soldier did for Steve Roger's. Taika has come back for another whacky Thor adventure, and I was curious to see this given the 70ish Rotten Tomatoes score it was receiving, not so far from Thor: The Dark World territory. Upon seeing the film, I don't get the hate at all. This film is great.
What seems to be the point of division is Taika's style of comedy. This film takes the comedy further than even Thor: Ragnarok did, which seems to be what most people who disliked the movie key on. Taika going full Taika may not be for everyone, and there are gags in the film i dont think work or overstay their welcome. The Goats come to mind. But whatever jokes fall flat ultimately dont matter cause Taika brings the feels when he has to. Taika has a talent for working in tragedy amongst the yucks. Jane's story in particular has a ton of emotional weight, and Jane Foster is a major stand out in this film. Several scenes around her struggle with cancer got me misty. Gorr is also treated with seriousness whenever he is around, and as a character he is very complex. To just write this movie off for maybe a few bad jokes is just not seeing the forest from the trees IMO.
The performances are all on point here as well. Hemsworth and Portman are major standouts, as is Christian Bale. But I also loved watching Russell Crowe chew scenery as Zeus. Give that man a one man show. I also really enjoyed the various characters from past movies who were not in this a lot, but were worked into the story well when they were there.
Visually this movie is very striking. The way they play with colors when confronting Gorr gives this movie some visual flair the MCU often lacks with the flat green screen we see accustomed too. There is also an intentional use of bold colors all around, and everything just works. Between this and the recent Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, please keep up the interesting visuals Marvel! Maybe adopt some of this flair to the Disney+ shows as well.
When I watched Eternals, I can see where that may not be everyone's favorite movie. But with this one, I don't see it. Yeah, some jokes didnt work and Taika makes bold choices, but this story has a lot of meat on the bones. It has a wonderful message of love, great emotional weight, great character driven drama and arcs, and it does all that without being an overstuffed film. It also manages to work in great use of the Marvel cosmology for fans of the MCU to nergasm over. In short, this is either the best or 2nd best Thor film and maybe Phase 4's standout to date.
5 out of 5 - I just dont see the hate here guys
