This a review for the 2D cinema screening of Thor: Love and Thunder – starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, Jamie Alexander, Taika Waititi and Tessa Thompson.
Synopsis
This fourth installment is about Thor going on a journey of self-discovery in the MCU. He’s lost his way since Endgame and doesn’t feel like the Thor that he used to be. This journey is interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher‘s plan to seek the extinction of all Gods. As well as Thor being shocked with the re-introduction of his ex; Jane Foster, now as Mighty Thor.
Review
This review contains spoilers.
For the majority of the movie, it was like watching a high budget SNL sketch, with some slight serious moments added in. Most of the jokes were not funny and some inappropriate for kids. There wasn’t that perfect balance of comedy, drama and action like Taika Waititi was able to do for Thor: Ragnarok.
The plot in the movie actually followed what the synopsis said, unfortunately this was with very little of everything sprinkled messily throughout, until the end.
Putting aside Thor being made to seem like a clown during the movie. Thor Odinson’s character development has definitely progressed for a better outcome, he’s been through a lot of struggles and loss in his journey. Now’s he’s reached an ending where he’s at his most happiest.
Jane’s storyline about her illness and to becoming Mighty Thor are rushed. There are some very sincere scenes between Jane and Thor when they stop the jokes, to show what she is going through, and then it’s back to goofiness again. However, Mighty Thor did look epic when fighting, the new use of Mjolnir piecing itself together and then crumbling again to attack enemies was my one of favourite parts of her action sequences, as well as that final fight.
Marvel wasted Christian Bale’s potential as Gorr the God Butcher. He was so under-used, could have been more frightening and is rarely on-screen killing many gods. Only the aftermath’s of their deaths are shown briefly. Where were all of the cool god killing/fighting scenes!? It’s like Taika wanted him to remain redeemable by not actually showing him peform much kills on-screen. Christian Bale gave a decent performance that carried the movie, but it could have been so much better than this if he wasn’t directed to be in a Pantomine or SNL Sketch. It was my least favourite Bale role; after having so many incredible performances in The Prestige, The Dark Knight trilogy, American Psycho, 3:10 to Yuma etc.
Most Marvel/DC villains have throw-away minions/dozens of henchman for the hero to fight their way through, it was creative; with the way shadow creatures were forming and fighting out of… well, the shadows of existing objects. It reminded me of the way this was visually shown in the romantic/Supernatural movie Ghost starring Patrick Swayze; the demons formed from the shadows and took Carl’s spirit away.
The inclusion of the Guardians of the Galaxy characters served little-to-no purpose whatsoever in this movie. Star-Lord gave a speech that was turned into a joke and then the rest of the team were just as useful as that X-Men group cameo in Deadpool 2.
Zeus played by Russell Crowe matched more close to the character than most media portray him. Zeus is one of the gods that just sits on his backside and gets everyone else to do all of his work for him. Crowe’s somewhat questionable accent is a put off though. These scenes represents that the gods are not all worth protecting and makes me wonder if Gorr trying to kill a lot of them is actually a good thing.
Taika Waititi has really over indulged himself this time while directing, starring and narrating the whole movie… not to mention narrating as if he’s reading a bedtime story. The goats were also annoying with that screeching!
Visuals
A few moments of CGI needed polishing, most things about this film are rushed. The masks on Mighty Thor and Thor’s faces needed more work done; they don’t sit on the face right and Thor’s mask design doesn’t look good. The background scenery on that planet when the goats are being gifted to him is lacking detail. Enjoyed Marvel’s creative choice to use a monochrome setting for the shadow-realm and how only Mjolnir, stormbreaker and Zeus’ bolt generated colour was a nice touch. The Omnipotence City setting looked really pleasing to the eye and the use of gold blood during the fight was quite extravagant!
Music
Firstly, I liked the guitar version of the Marvel Studios Fanfare music in the beginning. I don’t mind Guns ‘n’ Roses music, however, their music has been so over-used in this movie with about 4 or 5 of their songs (not too sure on the exact amount), when there’s more than just this rock band out there. Have some variety!
Final thoughts
It’s a disappointing fourth movie. A big step down in terms of acting quality and lacking that decent balance between humour, action and drama. Had some cool action moments in the last part and some sincere moments for Jane’s storyline. Overall one of my least favourite Thor movies, with Thor: The Dark World being at the bottom. Phase 4 has been a hit or miss situation and this is a miss.
If Marvel Studios are reading this, you should definitely focus on changing directors now, if the intention is to make a fifth movie.
Credit scenes
There are two credit scenes in Thor Love and Thunder. Not going to spoil them here. The first one is an extension of the movie and includes a character that’s not been seen in the MCU on-screen before. Second credit scene was quite a surprise as it opens up the MCU to a larger environment; also includes a cameo from previous Thor movies.
