Film Review: "Thor Love and Thunder"




The journey of Thor has been a unique one to watch over the timeline of the Marvel Cinematic universe. Since his introduction in 2011, Thor has gone from a self-serious Shakespearean character to someone who’s able to laugh at himself. In “Thor: Love and Thunder” our titular god (Chris Hemsworth) goes on an adventure with old friends Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and Korg (Taika Watiti), and his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster. Their mission is to travel across the cosmos to find the mysterious and brutal Gorr, “The God Butcher” (Christian Bale). What follows is a cosmic comedy, with some superhero elements thrown in. 

Director Taika Waiti revitalized the character in 2017’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” making him a fan favorite. He amplifies the character's ridiculous side here in “Love and Thunder” which could be a deterrent for some. It helps Hemsworth deliver one of the funniest comedic performances in quite some time. He seems to have found his stride playing Thor, in a way that is goofy and endearing. Make no mistake though, Hemsworth is up to the task of the film's action sequences as well.

 These action-heavy moments pack some surprises thanks to Natalie Portman. How her character factors into the story is a bit of a spoiler that the marketing hasn’t revealed. To avoid spoilers, I will say her arch of becoming the superhero “Lady Thor” let Portman loose comedically. She shows an entirely different side of the character and delivers some of the film's funniest moments. Her interactions with Thor make the film feel like a funny romantic comedy. There are the typical “end-of-the-world” level stakes, but it’s the relationship between these characters that’s interesting. It is interesting with characters like Valkryie and Korg who are given great comedic moments. Even with the quality of these ingredients, their success matters against a villainous threat.

Christian Bale is undoubtedly one of the best actors working in the industry today. His portrayal as the villainous “god butcher” is a serious threat. Bale is definitely chewing the scenery and enjoys every minute of it. This is even in service of a screenplay that gives him ludicrous lines of dialogue. He gives the character enough of a presence on screen, making him one of Marvel's better villains. This character is not on the level of something like Thanos but makes the most of what he’s given. Great performances cannot save audiences from asking the unavoidable question, “How does this fit into the larger cinematic universe?”

If you’re looking to get answers to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s future you will be sorely disappointed. Waititi is much more focused on making a comedic space adventure that delivers. Sequences involving Russell Crowe as Zeus and a couple of surprise cameos are serious highlights. They are consistently hilarious and help to create well-rounded arcs for these characters. The problem for many is that they will be expecting something much more grandiose. In this fourth adventure, we’re given more of a  meaningful character study. It’s the sort of fourth adventure that shows just how much this character has evolved.

After two lackluster films, Watiti has been the first to understand what makes this character work. His work on “Ragnarok” morphed Thor’s arc into something more than just a “god.” Instead of an heir to a throne, Watiti employed goofy humanity that makes the character more endearing. Coming off the heels of Thor's story in the “Infinity Saga,” this funny and mature approach feels earned. In the hands of Watiti, he gives Thor room to grow by not taking things seriously. He is certainly still a heroic character, but he isn’t someone who is always in a moral conflict. Hemsworth gives us an adventurous Thor, which is so much fun to watch on screen.

“Thor: Love and Thunder” does not quite reach the narrative heights of “Thor: Ragnarok” surprises. The tension is present but minimized for more comedic and colorful sequences. The humor is in service of our titular character’s evolution. It’s a great way to continue Thor’s journey, without recycling the lessons he’s learned from earlier films. We’re not given any answers as to where Thor may go, but he is left in a place that feels wholesome. As another piece to the MCU canvas, “Thor: Love and Thunder” shows there is still more to learn about these characters. 


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