Thor: Love & Thunder
Directed by Taika Waititi
Starring Chris Hemsworth, Christian Bale, and Natalie Portman
Of course I saw this film back when it first was released to theaters back in July. I left my screening feeling conflicted, and needed to think on it for awhile. Ultimately I think the version of this film I envisioned in my head for years (A MCU equivalent to Toy Story 4 with Thor as our Woody-I knew that wasn't gonna come out right.) was keeping me from enjoying the film I got. After rewatching the film last night on Disney Plus, I can say that Thor: Love & Thunder is an enjoyable adventure with a lot of heart.
After Korg (Waititi), the film's narrator, gives the audiences a recap of all the loss Thor (Hemsworth) has suffered throughout the years, we see The God of Thunder is still traveling the cosmos with The Guardians of The Galaxy. He has shut himself off from love, afraid of losing it again, but Peter Quill/Star Lord (Chris Pratt) tells him it's better to feel sh!**y about losing love than to feel nothing at all.
Soon Thor is called back to New Asgard, when a villain known as Gorr The God Butcher (Bale) emerges, kidnapping all the Asgardian children as part of a plan to wipe out all Gods. Joining Thor on his quest to rescue the children and stop Gorr is Korg, the newly appointed ruler of Asgard, Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), and his ex-girlfriend Dr. Jane Foster (Portman), who has been deemed worthy of the reforged hammer Miljonir and now possesses the power of Thor.
As if saving the world while reuniting with your ex, who is now your super-powered equal wasn't enough, Jane is also battling stage-four cancer, and her new powers may or may not be helping her fight the disease...
The core of the film is Thor and Jane's relationship, which arguably hasn't been the strongest aspect of the Thor films in the past, but Waitit does a great job retroactively building the foundation of their bond, and giving the audience reason to root for them. Thor is given a second chance with a lost love, but also risks losing it again. Thor, while he can be a very comedic character, is also a very tragic one in this franchise (Remember that opening recap). Love & Thunder definitely favors the comedic, but the tragic side is still on display, and Hemsworth does a great job navigating both sides. It's why he's played the character for over ten years.
Love & Thunder is a spectacular homage to the fantasy-adventures of the eighties, from the vibrant color palette, to the stellar use of music from Guns N'Roses, and how it plays with various tones. A lot of people have criticized this film for having tone problems. However many 80's films played with tone in a similar way, One moment things are bright, colorful, and making us smile, and the very next they're dark, cheery and trying to scare the sh!t out of us. And those dark moments sure are creepy.
Waititi loves his comedy, and the film has plenty of laughs, but he knows when to cut the jokes and focus on the moment. I will say though some jokes are run-in to ground, specifically the screaming goats that pull Thor's ship, and an odd love-triangle that develops between Thor, Miljonir, and his new weapon Stormbreaker. I'm just not sure when these weapons became sentient...or love interests (Unless you remember Stormbreaker was made from Groot's arm).
The film has a wonderful cast. I've already praised Hemsworth. Natalie Portman's return is more than welcome. As Jane she is "adorkable" as she learns to become a superhero, while also nailing every emotional moment. This is easily her best outing as Jane Foster in the MCU. Christian Bale leaps into the conversation of "Best MCU Villain" as Gorr. He's scary, charismatic, and endearing all at once. One particular scene gave me the creeps. Bale brings his A-Game. Korg remains a favorite of mine, but Waitit risks over-using his character this time around. Less is more with Korg. Tessa Thompson continues to be suave and charming as ever as Valkyrie, although I do wish her character got more development this film.
I think that is probably my biggest criticism of the film. Its untapped potential of its supporting players. We could have seen more of Valkyrie's time ruling Asgard (and her search for a Queen, but I guess that was cut). Jaimie Alexander returns as Lady Sit, but she doesn't do very much of anything. Even the Guardians of the Galaxy don't get much to do. They didn't have to be in the whole film, this is a Thor film, but Pratt's Peter Quill could've offered a lot more to Thor and Jane's stories. Again, at the end of the day this is a Thor film, and Thor has to be the priority.
I will say though credit has to be given to Russell Crowe for his portrayal of Zeus. He could've so easily phoned it in but he's giving it his all, and you can tell he's having a lot of fun with it.
There's been a lot of contentious debate about not just this film, but pretty much every entry in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I remain on the positive side of things. Thor: Love & Thunder may not be the next Avengers: Endgame, or Captain America: Civil War, or even the next Thor: Ragnarok (Well, I guess it technically is that..) but it doesn't need to be. The beauty of the MCU is its diverse body of stories. Love & Thunder stands strong as a heart-warming, entertaining adventure that is worthy of your time.
