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It is not everyday that one gets to feast on a Marvel spectacle featuring an endearing OG Avenger, in a fourth installment that is supposed to further MCU’s phase 4 agenda. Not to mention, the introduction of another seemingly menacing villain that had fans vying and rooting for the antagonist. Plus a ‘Mighty’ wielder of Mjolnir. Sure, the stakes have never been higher but who better than Taika Waititi to bring it home? Or so we thought! Thor: Love And Thunder is here in India a whole day before its worldwide release and boy, is it bonkers! The film has Chris Hemsworth’s Thor reprising his role as the God of Thunder who is reunited with his love Jane Foster played by Natalie Portman. Although she is not the earthling who dumped him. We also have Christian Bale’s MCU debut as Gorr The God Butcher, the bad guy of your nightmares. But is it worth the watch? Read the spoiler-free review below to find out.
Here comes the controversial take: I loved Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok! Eclectic, electric and everything awesome; the third film in Thor’s MCU journey gave Hemsworth so much to play with. It is the same that allowed him to dispell the character’s gloom appeal and replace it with a fun, humorous side that still tickles my funny bone. Obviously, it helped that the actor’s comic timing is unmatchable but it was the writer/director’s credit that he could take it to the heights that he did. Which is why I was beyond thrilled that Thor 4’s trailer showed signs of the same and more. Music? Check. Loony? Double Check. It even promised to build on Bale’s baddy rep that he showcased with films American Psycho, coupled with a Necrosword and looks that could easily pass for horror films. To be honest, the film delivers in heaps. Its fun, frivolous and is sprinkled with the hoot-worthy moments that we have come to expect from Marvel films.
Chris Hemsworth is even more endearing if its possible as Thor in his quest to become who he is and not how he is supposed to be. Yes, he has tried out the zen way of living and meditation and realized that it only makes him angry. Relatable max. He may not be the king of Asgard anymore but the way Odinson fights for his people proves that he doesn’t need an army of God or viking warriors to butt head against a shadow monster.
Natalie Portman’s Mighty Thor has her moments and leaves you rooting for her. Even she is determined to make catchphrase ‘Eat the hammer’ click. Obviously, major hoots are reserved for Christian Bale who is menacing as Gorr The God Butcher. From Batman to a devilish creature, one has to hand it to him for being the character chameleon that he is. Although it is not easy to set him apart, certain mannerism of the face and signature conviction is intact amid all the ashy facepaint. He obviously didn’t have three movies to tell his back story but Bale somehow manages to justify his motives and subsequent character arc. He certainly deserves his own spin off movie, after stealing the thunder from everyone else in the frame.
Let’s talk about the writing; if you thought that Waititi’s previous work was unconventional, be prepared to be blown away by the extent to which he can go in committing to his sub-genre in superhero films. Turning the script on its head to induce surprises and giggles even in the most tense situations. Including a plot where the filmmaker and co-writer has Thor pacifying and cajoling storm-breaker, his current hammer, with the re-entry of Mjolnir, his ex hammer. A love-triangle for the books!
Having said that, Thor: Love and Thunder unfortunately never goes beyond the surface level. Often too frivolous for its own good. We have none other than Waititi spell out and narrate stories of the legends in the voice of Korg, who is has established himself as an inseparable part of the gang, but the treatment often makes the material look skittish.
It doesn’t help that the BGM score doesn’t live upto the hype. In fact, I’m grooving and nodding to Ragnarok’s theme song as I file this review and that should tell you everything you need to know.
On a bigger scale, the film surely fumbles to place itself as a concrete building block in Marvel’s ambitious Phase 4. After a long discussion with fellow fans and critics, it seems like both viewers and makers are still confused about the phase 4 and the way it ties into the scheme of things.
Verdict.
Watch it for Christian Bale’s Gorr The God Butcher that deserves its time to shine in Marvel’s cinematic universe. But don’t expect an Avenger: Endgame takeaway.
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