Product Info

Studio

Marvel Studios

Director

Taika Waititi

Genre

Action, Adventure, Comedy

Rated

PG-13

Theatrical Release Date (NA)

Jul 8, 2022

Film Length

1h 59m

Purchase From

Thor: Love and Thunder is the fourth film of the Thor films since 2011 and while it’s not the best Marvel film in recent years, it is also not the worst. It doesn’t strike gold like its previous 2017 film, Thor: Ragnarok but still holds its own pretty well.

Last Time on Thor

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The film continues the events after Avengers: End Game. Thor leaves planet Earth with the Guardians of the Galaxy, a small team of misfits who travel around the galaxy. Those who’ve watched many of the Marvel films leading up to Avengers: End Game have a familiarity with the characters in the latest Thor film. If there are any Marvel films you shouldn’t skip before watching Thor: Love and Thunder, it’s at least these three films: Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: End Game.

Love and Thunder does try to give the audience up-to-speed on the events with Thor and some of his backstory, thanks to Korg (a rock-creature from space that joined Thor’s adventures). Korg’s been a big hit with the audience since his debut in Thor: Ragnarok. His comical lines bring some laughter and positive vibe to the story’s narrative. Korg is voiced by Taika Waititi and also the director of Thor: Love and Thunder and Thor: Ragnarok. 

Guardians of Thor

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In Thor: Ragnorak, Thor had a strong supporting cast of Marvel character the Hulk throughout the film. Unfortunately the green monster is not in this but another set of characters, The Guardians of the Galaxy, are there for support. However, they’re not in the film for too long and it’s a positive thing too. With Thor added into the mix of the Guardians of the Galaxy, he feels out of place. Even in the heat of battle, he feels more of a misfit than the other Guardians. The two parties end up going their own paths after their latest mission, leaving Thor and his friend Krog to go move onto their next journey; why Gods across the universe are being wiped out.

Love of Thors

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With the Guardians out of the film, Love and Thunder now feels like a return to the previous Thor films. Thor’s ex-lover, Jane Foster (played by Natalie Portman) returns and makes the relationship between Thor and Jane awkward. No surprise since her last appearance was in 2013’s film Thor: The Dark World, which was one of the least favorite films to the audience. Jane’s send-off was explained better in Love and Thunder but it felt rushed and disconnected. During the film, Jane and Thor’s reconnection had some moments but still felt out of place. The film tries multiple times to retell the love story between the two but felt all over the place. However, the two sharing the same type of power and working as a team made Thor and Jane an interesting couple.

The film’s direction where they were taking Jane foreshadowed her role in the film once explained what the power of Thor’s hammer was doing to her. At first, Jane used it for her needs but quickly used it to help others, especially for Thor. Jane’s role was better at the end of the film than the beginning. It’s too bad Waititi didn’t direct The Dark World, which could have made the connection between Jane and Thor much smoother.

God Destroyer

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Gorr (played by Chrisitan Bale), wasn’t a big name drop in the Marvel Universe but delivered the creepiness style and voice as he looks to wipe out the Gods across the universe. Gorr’s backstory, explained at the beginning of the film, was touching and understanding why he turned against Gods.

This is also the first time fans will see Zeus in the Marvel films. Thor and his team’s scene where they take on Zeus and his guards is one of the best parts of the film. From screaming goats, women fainting at the sight of Thor’s naked body, to taking on Zeus’s thunderbolt was full of fun and laughter. Afterwards, the battle on a black and white colored planet made it challenging to keep up with the fight scenes as they battled Gorr and his shadow minions.

Like Ragnorak, Love and Thunder adds in comical briefs and off-the-wall moments. Though the film seems to do it too much in Love and Thunder. Earlier in the film after completing his mission with the Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor was rewarded with two giant screaming goats. At first it was humorous but the movie kept showing the goats too much in a short timeframe. The film did stop for a time period and brought them back at better times. Some action scenes use too many comical moments, especially in the beginning. Making it feel overwhelmed and slowing down the film’s pace.

Thunder and Roll

The movie’s soundtrack list isn’t surprising based on the title of the film. Bringing in Guns ‘N Roses tracks such as “Welcome to the Jungle” and “Paradise City” helped bring that ‘80s vibe. At first it felt like the film was going to stuff us with ‘80s tracks but no. Michael Giacchino’s tracks bring in the suspense from Gorr’s demonic scenes to Jane and Thor’s battle. Jane’s intro track as she appears with Thor’s old hammer was filled with excitement. 

The Final Battle

Thor: Love and Thunder may not be the best Thor film but it holds enough to stand up with its tag team battles, the antagonist’s backstory and screaming goats. Hop on your viking ship and set sail for a fun ride with Thor and company.

An early screening provided for this review.