The Marvel Cinematic Universe is still going strong after almost a decade of ruling the box office, having become the highest-grossing franchise of all time.
Now the Disney property is about to release it’s 17th outing, which also happens to be the third film in a trilogy.
Thor Ragnarok could be very easily have been a lazy cash-in of the same ilk as the Game of Thrones-esque action seen in its predecessor, Thor: The Dark World – considered by many Marvel fans to be one of the weakest entries in the franchise – yet this is anything but.
What keeps Marvel’s empire going at this stage is the constant risk taking of trying something totally new, built on the solid foundation of what they’ve already established.
This was something the star, Hemsworth, was keen to do; having admitted boredom with the Asgardian prince he’s now played in five movies.
This time Marvel fans will be introduced to the technicolour splendour of Jack Kirby’s comics as a freshly shawn Thor finds himself channelling the fall from royalty to the arena from Russell Crowe’s Gladiator.
The action begins with the Asgardian Prince discovering his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) isn’t dead after all and has been posing as their father Odin (Anthony Hopkins), who Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) helps them locate back on Earth.
Meanwhile the Goddess of Death, Hela (Cate Blanchett) invades Asgard and banishes Thor – having destroyed his mighty hammer Mjolnir – to the rough end of the universe where he’s captured by Jeff Goldblum’s Grand Master, who’s as amusingly suave as ever, to fight in the arena.
However it’s here where he discovers his “friend from work” – fellow Avenger the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) who has become something of a champion after a two year absence since Avengers: Age of Ultron. Can they work together to defeat Hela with the help of boozy fighter Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson)? Well fans will have to wait and see.
Apart from a fresh looking lead and the film’s vibrant texture, the whole style of Thor Ragnarok has had a reboot thanks to director Taika Waititi, the comedy genius behind What We Do In The Shadows and Hunt For The Wilderpeople.
As with Star Wars, although to much better success, Marvel have been hiring up-and-coming indie directors to breath new life into the blockbuster franchise – keeping the decade old series fresh and quirky, by pushing boundaries but holding to the main form.
And boy does this Kiwi director do this, with 80% of Thor Ragnarok’s dialogue being improvised comedy, something that Hemsworth has taken to like the Hulk to smashing.
The result is what is easily the funniest Marvel films to date, a huge achievement this far down the line and something that will have audiences crying tears of laughter.
Taika himself almost outshines the Aussie star here, taking the part of Korg, a stone alien – complete with New Zealand accent – at the arena who tried to Really the only aspects of Thor Ragnarok that could have used some improvement was a slightly rushed first act and the occasional dodgy CGI on one of the villains and Korg.
Nevertheless Thor Ragnarok will easily go down as one of the favourites in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – alongside Guardians of the Galaxy and Iron Man 3 – for the simple reason that the movie is one giant, colourful ball of fun.
Thor Ragnarok will be released in UK cinemas on October 24, 2017.