The third time proved to be the charm for Marvel Studios' Thor franchise. Not only is "Thor: Ragnarok" the best Thor movie by a long shot, but it also serves as Marvel Studios' funniest offering in a slate of movies that now stands at 18 films. "Ragnarok" also provides a new team-up formula (successfully inserting the Incredible Hulk into the film) that could serve as a template for future Marvel Studios films.
"Thor: Ragnarok" is available now to bring home on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD (it has been available for digital download since Feb. 20). This is the second Marvel Studios film to get the 4K treatment for a home release; "Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2″ was the first. Whether Marvel Studios will release every Marvel Cinematic Universe film in Ultra HD remains to be seen, but it looks like from now on, 4K will be an option. This bodes well for high-definition junkies who will be eager to take home box office record-breaker "Black Panther" and April's highly anticipated "Avengers: Infinity War."
There's a good chance that "Thor: Ragnarok" will be the last solo "Thor" film. Chris Hemsworth has at least two more appearances as the God of Thunder in the next two "Avengers" movies, but is otherwise "contractually" done, and could be hanging up his cape for good and making room for the next generation of Marvel Studios heroes. His performance as Thor - heroic and surprisingly hilarious at times - has been one of the most spot-on performances in the MCU, right up there with Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man and Chris Evans' Captain America.
Here are our five favorite moments from "Thor: Ragnarok."
1. Mjolnir's last stand
Thor has to say goodbye to many things beloved to him in "Ragnarok": an eye in battle, his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and his blonde locks of hair (cut by Stan Lee in one of his funnier cameos). But perhaps nothing was more emotional than the severed connection between Odinson and his mystical hammer Mjolnir. Mighty Mjolnir is crushed to cosmic rubble in the hands of Thor's newly revealed older sister Hela (Cate Blanchett). The destruction of the trusty tool happens early in the film, but not before Mjolnir is given one last blaze of glory in the fiery realm of the gigantic demon Surtur. We're treated to images of Thor handling his hammer just like he does in the comics, spinning Mjolnir so fast he forms a shield against fire, and striking down dragons and demons alike.
2. Jack Kirby's undeniable influence
The late Jack "The King" Kirby's artistic influence is all over "Thor: Ragnarok," especially once the film arrives on the planet Sakaar. Bright colors and strong lines pop out as a tribute to the man who helped give birth to the Marvel comic-book universe with his pencils. But it's in the scene where we see the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum) preparing to watch his "champion" (Hulk) take on Thor in battle that the setting truly looks like a Kirby comic book panel come to life. The tribute is strong - from the walls to the people - and beyond deserving for someone who drew Thor as good as anyone ever has.
3. Talking Hulk
Talking Hulk is humorous and a brilliant move by Marvel Studios, and a way to add something new to the character that hadn't been heard as much in previous Hulk films and "Avengers" appearances. Sure he's said "Hulk smash!" and called Loki a "puny god" after tossing him around like a toy, but complete sentences? That was new. It added another comedic aspect to "Ragnarok": There's only one guy who can call Thor "baby arms," and that's the Incredible Hulk.
This third Thor movie plays off the very first seed planted in the Hulk/Thor cinematic rivalry, a rift that goes back to their comic book days. "Ragnarok" takes the geektastic moment of the first Thor vs. Hulk bout in "Avengers," when they had a fistfight, and gives it a few more rounds in this installment as both refuse to admit that the other just might be stronger - this time in front of a crowd - highlighting one of the most fun comic-book movie brawls ever.
4. Doctor Strange
A movie that has Thor, Loki, the Hulk, a new villain (Hela) and a fresh adversary (Valkyrie) probably didn't need an appearance by Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), but "Ragnarok" makes it work, and humorously, in a short amount of time. The Sorcerer Supreme, used as a magic gateway to hiding Odin, makes quick work of Loki (who takes offense given he's somewhat of a sorcerer himself) and engages in a conversation with Thor that involves many a mystically produced frosty beverage after Thor makes it clear he's not a tea guy. This scene contains perhaps the film's biggest LOL moment when Doctor Strange informs Thor he couldn't have told Thor that his father Odin was exiled in Norway because Thor doesn't have a phone. Thor quips back that Doctor Strange could have sent an "electronic letter." "It's called an email," Thor says. But when Doctor Strange asks Thor if he has a computer, Thor says, "No, what for?"
5. Valkyrie's debut
Despite being the love interest in the first two "Thor" movies, the absence of Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is barely noticed (and briefly mentioned) because of the overpowering performance of Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie. Despite being a newcomer to this franchise, Valkyrie makes her presence known and holds her own as the Hulk's new best friend, an Asgardian rival to Thor (with slight romantic sparks that aren't really delved into) and strength as powerful as both Avengers. From her heavily armed debut on Sakaar to a redemptive battle against Hela on Asgard, here's hoping there's just as much Valkyrie as there is Thor when we see her again in "Avengers: Infinity War."
- The Washington Post.
