Review: Thor: Love and Thunder

In the fourth instalment of his journey, Chris Hemsworth takes on the role of playing a broken and deflated Thor, in dire need of finding himself once again. With an incredibly enticing story and a fabulous filmography and soundtrack, Taika Waititi has directed a humorous knockout film with Thor: Love and Thunder. However, it could be questioned whether this instalment took a step too far in its comedic attempts, making a joke out of the beloved superhero and overshadowing the success and significance of his character and his journey.

After the destruction of Thor’s confidence in Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Love and Thunder turns to focus on recovery. We find Thor touring with the Guardians of the Galaxy (including Chris Pratt), answering distress calls and fighting for those who need defending. This is until they go their different ways when Thor and Korg (Taika Waititi) head to answer an alarming call from an old friend, Sif (Jaimie Alexander). From here, he learns of Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), setting the plot in motion, also featuring Korg, King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and, much to Thor’s distress, Dr Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and Mjölnir, Thor comes to realise that his once-girlfriend Jane has now also harnessed the power of Thor, named The Mighty Thor, and joins the team to bring down her “first bad guy”.

As well as needing to save the children that Gorr has kidnapped from New Asgard, Thor and his team must also stop Gorr from reaching Eternity and getting the chance to wish for the death of all Gods. Along the way, Thor: Love and Thunder takes us on this beautiful voyage, introducing us to characters such as Zeus (Russel Crowe), in Omnipotent City, and Hercules (Brett Goldstein), introduced in the post-credit scene. With such an interesting storyline and a huge, exciting cast, further including Chris Hemsworth’s brother, Luke Hemsworth, and daughter, India Hemsworth, this film was set up for greatness, but whether it was able to deliver is a question worth debating.

The soundtrack and cinematography of Thor: Love and Thunder is one of perfection

When it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it has become inevitable that the soundtrack and cinematography are going to be enticingly remarkable aspects of the film – Thor: Love and Thunder is no exception. Not only does the soundtrack accompanying Thor always project the ‘badass rock and roll’ essence that surrounds the God of Thunder, but the ensemble, created by Michael Giacchino and Nami Melumad, always supports and compliments the story that is so thoughtfully being developed. With some of the greatest hits by Guns N’ Roses, like ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ and ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’, the soundtrack becomes so immersive that you find yourself getting lost within the music, and so the story.

Furthermore, something that the Thor films have seemingly improved and found their footing on throughout the years is the cinematography. Unlike the first two original films of this story where there was an ever-present dark and gloomy filter over the film, the director Taika Waititi, who took over with Thor: Ragnarok and now Thor: Love and Thunder, appears to have completely changed the direction of the production of the films. Where dark and serious undertones were once used, the use of vibrant and futuristic colours are instead adopted.

From the places they briefly visit within this film, like Omniscient City and the Shadow Realm, to the places frequently involved throughout all the Thor films, Asgard/New Asgard, the stunning scenes all become uniquely significant and overwhelmingly telling of the story, without the need for words. This simple change in adoption of vibrancy and colour breathes a beautiful new life into Thor’s story. Ultimately, the soundtrack and cinematography of Thor: Love and Thunder is one of perfection, no faults, or mistakes, but just an encouragingly significant story-telling tool that appears to become more important with each instalment of Thor’s character journey.

Furthermore, another aspect of this film that did not fail to disappoint is the compelling story. In recent MCU films, it is arguable that most stories lacked in a direction or purpose, frequently forcing a story out of nothing. However, Thor: Love and Thunder was able to portray not only an interesting plot, but a journey that was complimentary to the development of Thor’s story and his character’s development. Chris Hemsworth’s Thor is the first Marvel character to have been awarded a fourth film, beyond the trilogies that the main characters normally have. Arguably, this was originally a cause for worry as it became a concern that Thor’s character was going to be hindered to the point beyond help, used and abused to make the Marvel and Disney franchises more money.

The story that has been created for Thor: Love and Thunder is one of great brilliance

Thankfully, Thor: Love and Thunder proved these worries wrong, with a captivating story that does wonders to develop the story and character of Thor, beyond love interests and jokes. To comment on the story further, a specific aspect that this film has welcomingly honed in on is Thor being a Norse God. Throughout Thor’s role within the MCU, he has mainly been on earth and seemingly rather disregarding of his role as a God, however, with this new component of the story, it appears that this element of Thor’s story is finally being lovingly embraced. Not only is this pleasing to fans of the MCU as it allows for further growth of Thor’s character journey, but it creates an opportunity to expand the fan base, to fans of mythology for example.

Essentially, the story that has been created for Thor: Love and Thunder is one of great brilliance, it is compelling and new, rather than the overdone or worn-down typical superhero film that it was feared it could have been.

However, there are still factors of Thor: Love and Thunder that lack slightly; this specifically being the approach to attempt humour and also the way they go about character deaths. After the success that came with Thor: Ragnarok, it was inevitable that the humour which had such positive impacts on the film was going to once again be adopted. Unfortunately, the over-exaggerated attempt at this humour cannot be ignored, ruining the development and journey of Thor, making the character look like a joke almost. Although not all attempts at comedy were a miss, cringe worthy moments of silly and overly done humour unfortunately still make this film seemingly like a spoof, ruining the purpose of a semi-serious superhero action film. Since the adoption of this humour in the MCU films, obviously realising the success it adds to their films, Disney and Marvel have seemingly upped the volume on this comedy, moving away from serious films.

It is also difficult to say that [Thor: Love and Thunder] didn’t hold any faults, specifically through the over-the-top attempt at humour

However, in this instance, it feels like they may have finally reached the point that is considered too far, feeling forced and like a betrayal of Thor’s development. As well as this, without spoilers, another aspect of the film that does not settle right is the faking of deaths. A trick that has seemingly increased over the years of the MCU, the tactic of convincing the audience that a fan favourite has been killed off and then surprisingly appears unharmed later is something that, occasionally, brings relief and joy to a fanbase. However, when it occurs repeatedly and is taken advantage of as a tool, as it may have been within Thor: Love and Thunder, it becomes ridiculous, an increasingly frustrating element for the audience. It is undeniable that the film holds a great amount of brilliance, however it is also difficult to say that it didn’t hold any faults, specifically through the over-the-top attempt at humour.

Verdict:

As this is Thor’s fourth instalment of his solo adventure and the MCU’s first attempt at a fourth solo film altogether, there was a lot that relied on this movie, specifically setting an example for future projects that may hope to grace our movie screens in the future. It is undeniable that it delivered in this challenge of creating an action-packed superhero film worthy of Thor’s character and journey development. Not only this, but Taika Waititi was successful in bringing together yet another film that contains a significantly beautiful cinematography and soundtrack, one that can allow the audience to submerge their selves into this wonderful world. Although it shouldn’t be forgotten the failure that some of the attempts at humour could be, in no way does it ruin the film. Overall, Thor: Love and Thunder is a film of beauty, that demonstrates the significance of having and losing Love, and finally portraying the ultimate power of the God of Thunder.