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Sarah here, teaching English around the world. Living life and seeing things.
Marvel’s latest addition to their cinematic universe has arrived, and what an addition it is! A fantastic film that reinforces the fact that Thor is the best film series in the MCU at the moment. Thor: Love and Thunder stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, Christian Bale and Taika Waititi. The film is directed by Taika Waititi and written by Taika Waititi and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson.
Bring The Fun-der
Thor has always been one of the most entertaining characters in the MCU. And the humour and fun is only amplified once you add Taika Waititi into the mix. Thor: Love and Thunder is no exception to this pattern, and the humour is on point throughout.
From Korg’s (Taika Waititi) humorous voiceovers to Valkyrie’s (tessa Thompson) wit, the humour throughout the film is perfect. It makes this film stand out from other MCU offerings and is a new type of film. And while the jokes are ever-present throughout – even in the most intense parts of the film- it never feels forced or out of place.
We even get a little bit of playfulness from our villain, but this is quickly balanced with his menacing presence. Each character feels natural and in place, and they never go too over the top. Thor is the perfect chance for Marvel to be a bit more whimsical and jokey and they don’t shy away from this opportunity at any time.
The real GOATs of the MCU
One thing that we may be getting a little tired of with Marvel is how the storylines all feel a little similar. But recently, they have been breaking the mould and bringing in new characters. New characters like Moon Knight and Ms Marvel avoid this formula somewhat. So it’s refreshing to have a well-known character like Thor who isn’t following the same old routine that Marvel usually offers us.
Part of the reason Thor: Love and Thunder is successful with this are the fantastic characters we have. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is his brilliant self (as always), and you can tell how much fun Hemsworth is having. Valkyrie is my personal favourite, and I need to see her more in everything Marvel gives us. She’s funny, commanding, and fiercely loyal. She’s the friend we all want when things go wrong.
We also get some fantastic moments with Korg and learn a little more about Kronans. It’s fun to see him take a more central role in the franchise, and Waititi does a fantastic job. And while we have a lot of our favourites here, I think it’s pretty safe to say that Thor’s goats are scene-stealers. Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder are a brilliant addition. Their comical and well timed inclusion lights up the screen whenever we see them.
The Mighty Thor
The biggest character development in the film is definitely Jane Foster (Natalie Portman). She shines as The Mighty Thor, and seeing more of her than we have before is a great change for this character. While she was obviously a major part of the first two Thor films, this feels more like her film. It’s a love letter to her character and what she should have been all along. Portman is fantastic and leans into the comedy with great timing, as well as having great depth when needed. She gives a beautiful portrayal of someone suffering from cancer. It is respectful and sorrowful at all of the right times but also shows her determination. She explores this part of the character in a considerate and well rounded way.
In The Shadows
We were all excited to finally see Gorr (Christian Bale) appear on the screen. He promised to be a formidable foe to the Thunder God, and while his scenes are great, there just isn’t enough of him. We get very few scenes with The God Butcher, and it’s easy at times for him to slip out of mind. He feels like he’s wasted, and we don’t see enough of him. Most of his butchery is implied or shown as the aftermath. We don’t need to see 2 hours of brutal slaughter, but giving the villain a bigger presence would have helped to make him a little more frightening.
When he is on screen, he’s a fantastic villain. His shadowy scenes juxtapose the brightness of the rest of the film, and Bale does a great job of being just terrifying enough. There’s one section in particular where the use of colour and shadow is brilliant and makes for some stunning visuals.
Thunderstruck
Thor: Love and Thunder is one of the best additions to the MCU in a while. The use of colour and shadow throughout makes it a beautiful film to watch. Add in the great storytelling and brilliant characters, this feels less like a part of the MCU, and more like a stand-alone film. We also get a fantastic soundtrack that always seems to hit perfectly. All of this makes for a very different type of Marvel film.
It isn’t perfect though, and some parts feel underdeveloped. It’s clear that the film is meant to focus on Jane and Thor’s relationship and growth, but this means there is a lot that has been sacrificed. Some characters are underdeveloped, others feel like they are taken out of the action too soon. And the final confrontation between Thor and Gorr is great to start, but then becomes a little anticlimactic.
The aspects of the film that are lacking don’t necessarily take away from the greatness of the film but just leave you wishing for more. We want more Gorr, more Valkyrie and Korg, and more of a resolution that doesn’t feel as rushed. What we do get is still a great film with good pacing and brilliant characters. It’s funny, heartwarming, and a beautiful addition to the MCU.
Thor: Love and Thunder is not showing in cinemas worldwide.
Add Some Thunder to Your Funkos
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If you love the latest addition to the Thor franchise, then add a little spark to your collection. Check out these Funko Pop Vinyls for The Mighty Thor, Valkyrie, Korg, Gorr The God Butcher and Thor with his Goat Boat.
Sarah here, teaching English around the world. Living life and seeing things.
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