“Asgard is not a place, it's a people. And its people need your help.”

As much as I truly enjoyed Thor and Thor: The Dark World and everything they had to offer, the average film fan did not. Chris Hemsworth’s Thor truly needed a makeover, an entire reimagining of the character. Before Thor: Ragnarok, Hemsworth supposedly considered leaving the role, which is unfortunate because he was incredible in Avengers: Age of Ultron and I certainly wanted to see more of him. Though I can admit until Thor: Ragnarok, we hadn’t seen the character change very much. Then, thankfully, Taika Waititi and his genius talent came along and offered a new angle for Thor and his side of the Marvel universe.

Taika Waititi revived Thor in a way that was unimaginable beforehand. He created an extremely memorable third Thor film and even improvised a majority of the films script. It’s so well done and it took fans by storm. My favorite part of Thor: Ragnarok is that we see where Hulk went after the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron. The decision to up the action in Thor: Ragnarok by pitting two of the strongest Avengers against one another is such a mind blowing idea and I’m thankful to get more Hulk content. 

Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner was so fun to see bounce off of Thor’s personality. Plus, the brief cameo by Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange really elevates this film and expands the connectivity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe so well. Not only do we see a couple great avengers, but we’re introduced to new planets and realms, with threats to follow. Jeff Goldblum is introduced in this film as the Grandmaster of Sakaar. He has an obsession with manipulating the lives of lifeforms he deems lesser than and throwing events such as the Contest of Champions. I think this whole concept was fascinating and it was the perfect way to introduce Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk. 

Two of the greatest additions to the Marvel Cinematic Universe have got to be Tessa Thompson and Cate Blanchett. Tessa’s incredible role as Valkyrie is the result of a wonderful casting, the character wouldn’t be who she is if it wasn’t for Thompson’s talent. I love that we are getting more of her character in Thor: Love & Thunder and her brief appearance in Avengers: Endgame solidifies her as a badass through and through. Cate Blanchett as Hela is a wild casting and she really sells us on the story that the Asgardian history revolving around her was erased. Her design is incredible and she is out for revenge. 

Idris Elba reprises his role as Heimdall and Karl Urban sees his introduction to the universe as Skurge. He’s very funny but also has a menacing presence especially alongside Cate Blanchett’s Hela. Tom Hiddleston is fantastic as always and this film has my favorite scenes of his. The “Get Help” scenes never fail to amuse. 

Overall, Thor: Ragnarok is yet another MCU film that has set a precedent other comicbook films only hope to reach. It is a masterpiece and it revitalized Thor and helped set up the epic journey that followed it. Thor is so much like me, hot headed and unsure of himself at times, but there comes moments where he is sure of himself and finds the strength to be who he is meant to be. Thor God of Thunder. Not hammers, as the hammer is only there as a tool to wield what is inside him. His strength, his courage and his unwillingness to see his people, his home destroyed. I can not wait to see Chris Hemworth return as Thor in Thor: Love and Thunder. Natalie Portman’s The Mighty Thor is coming...

Reviewed as part of my MCU rewatch & ranking