The Reel Review
Chris Hemsworth is back in this fourth installment in Marvel’s Thor saga, reuniting with New Zealand writer/director Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok, Jojo Rabbit) and his unique, quick paced comedy. Natalie Portman is also back as ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, who through circumstance also becomes a Thor as they and Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) battle the vengeful Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale).
Marvel fans looking for a more serious film after Thor: Ragnarok will be sorely disappointed. From screaming goats, a chronically jealous battle ax, a hilarious Russell Crowe as an orgy-obsessed Zeus, Bale’s off the rails villainy and a slew of goofy celebrity cameo appearances, Thor: Love and Thunder is classic Waititi. It is entertainingly silly with a very game (and funny) Hemsworth, who also looks terrific in his big shirtless, bare-assed nude scene.
Some sweet, heartfelt moments and Waititi’s quick pacing and whip smart humor helps distract from his predictable, ho-hum plot that otherwise is pretty standard Marvel fare. But Thor: Love and Thunder is laser-focused on one goal – creating a couple of hours of fun, mindless escapism – in which it joyously succeeds.
REEL FACTS
• Thor is the first Marvel character to have four stand-alone films.
• Chris Hemsworth trained heavily, consuming eight meals per day to achieve his heaviest-ever, 231-pound physique in Thor: Love and Thunder.
• Natalie Portman and Tessa Thompson also appeared together in the 2018 sci-fi thriller Annihilation.
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