This 2017 American superhero film, based on the Marvel Comics, is the sequel to 2013s ‘Thor: The Dark World’ and the seventeenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is directed by Taika Waititi and stars Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson, Karl Urban, Mark Ruffalo and Sir Anthony Hopkins.

As the Avenger and God Of Thunder Thor (Hemsworth) continues to seek the Infinity Stones following the Battle of Sokovia, he learns of Ragnarok; a phrophecy spelling out the destruction of Asgard.

When Hella, Goddess Of Death (Blanchett), arrives at Asgard, she defeats Thor and Loki (Hiddleston) and sends them catapulting across the galaxy to the remote junk planet of Sakarr where Thor is held prisoner by the eccentric Grandmaster (Goldblum).

Learning that his fellow Avenger and friend The Hulk/Bruce Banner (Ruffalo) is also on Sakaar, as well as a former Valkyrie (Thompson), Thor must survive long enough to escape with his allies and find way back to Asgard, defeat Hella and prevent Ragnarok at all costs...

The “forgotten Avengers” in the guise of Thor and Hulk (both absent from ‘Captain America: Civil War’ and not seen since ‘Age Of Ultron’) finally get to remind us why they are fan favourites and just as important as ever away from the dark and brooding world revolving around The Cap and Iron Man.

In fact, this is the perfect blend of all current Marvel attributes. Take the fantastical Norse myth launched in 2011, mix it with the grandeur of 2012s ‘The Avengers’ and throw in the cosmic fun of ‘Guardians Of The Galaxy’ and you have ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ from the director who gave us ‘Hunt For The Wilderpeople’ in his first major US directing effort.

After 17 movies (bloody well played, Marvel!) we know what to expect. Superhero tackles a mighty supervillain to save the city/world/galaxy with a host of spectacular action and characters in the mix. It’s simple, but it works. It entertains us. It’s escapism. So now as you sit down thinking you know what to expect from the God Of Thunder, think again. Leave what you thought you expected at the door and just...brace yourself!

From seeing Hulk’s naked, green arse, to Thor pratfalling, to Jeff Goldblum on a mixing desk and...Matt Damon...as...Loki....? Director Taika Waititi injects his off-the-wall humour into the fun yet dangerous Marvel world to give us a very surreal yet coherent and engaging story that continues both Thor and Loki’s story as well as setting up the future yet to come.

It’s full of trademark Waititi nods and winks - the film itself is populated with many of his usual actors, some of which appear in previous Waitit films - a familiar face crops up as Odin; trust me - and even filmed around Brisbane and Sydney itself. There is a subtle hint of Maori tribalism to things and a strong sense of family and heart around all the spectacle. While his comedic flair adds many, many laughs and giggles to otherwise semi-serious situations in a very logical way, sometimes the humour does get a little...silly.

Not enough to spoil things, but some of the laughs don’t really gel within the Marvel world. Most do, but it’s the subtle ones. Hemsworth and Hiddleston continue their perfect chemistry together, as if it hasn’t 4 year since ‘The Dark World’. Jeff Goldblum is clearly enjoying himself and being, well, Jeff Goldblum, and even the likes of Mark Ruffalo is let loose a little more with Hulk to develop more than Banner. They all have goals, objectives, troubles and triumphs in their own way and thankfully the humour doesn’t ruin the pay-offs.

As for our female leads, I must say contrary to other views, Tessa Thompson is GOOD and certainly fits the part of a Valkyrie better than a smart-mouthed bounty hunter, certainly helping to kick ass for the female sex....but Cate Blanchett nails is at Hela for me. She looks gorgeous and dangerous at the same time, and really crafts a vengeful, powerful villainess who kicks just as much ass as Thompson and her environments and action sequences are beautifully executed. One of my favourite villains in the MCU after this.

Going back to the tone, it’s refreshing for a Thor movie to feature so much cosmic sci-fi elements, bleeding into ‘GOTG’ territory for the second half and borrowing that Marvel spectacle of vivid colours, expansive worlds and physics defying action. Hemsworth loses his golden locks as Thor, Norse God, but becomes Thor, Norse God-Damn! He is as engaging as ever, and maintains that cocky, smug yet honorable aura about him where we finally SEE him as our God Of Thunder and want to cheer him on!

It flies by at 130mins, never dragging or suffering under the weight of it’s content. There are minimal locations, sparing new characters who all add to the story and never forgetting the old characters who are just as important as ever. With a couple of very welcome cameos from other Avengers, this stands tall as one of the best of the Marvel offerings and certainly up as the best ‘Thor’ movie following ‘The Dark World’.

The humour may push the boundaries at some point, but with the tone set out from the opening minutes, it’s hard to not find yourself chuckling away at some point or other while getting absorbed into the fantastical worlds presented before you with exciting action blending sci-fi and mythology in the only way Marvel can, with having a galactic worm-hole called ‘Devil’s Anus’. You expect Chris Pratt to pop up at any time after that.

And Led Zeppelin’s ‘Immigrant Song’ has never been used better in a film, following on from the teaser.

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