Thor: Love and Thunder review: A romp that reuses old material

Thor is one of the most fun characters in the MCU. Alongside Star Lord and Spider-Man they bring a level of comedy to the movies they appear in. In some cases, like in Infinity War and Endgame, it’s much needed. It offers a lighter moment in otherwise dark movies. And it’s that juxtaposition that I find makes many movies work. An opposite to a heavy moment is a lighter one. It allows heavier moments to stand out. Sadly, Love and Thunder is just one, long, funnier moment that doesn’t capitalise on the trauma that Thor has gone through.

*(to save time, you might just want to go to the bottom)

So what’s it about? Well, Gorr the God Butcher, a person who has been let down by the gods, wants to kill all the gods. Bale gives a great performance here, as a tortured father whose daughter died when a god could have easily saved her. For once you have a bad dude who seems to have a real believable motivation.

I honestly think he needed more screen time as he’s absolutely wasted in the movie. When he’s on screen he brings a real menace to his scenes, and his base, which is a moon that literally strips the movie of colour, is awesome! Also, his idea that the gods are all jerks, well that’s one I can also agree with. Alongside this you have Thor. He’s back in shape and he’s been helping out with the Guardians with missions where they do most of the heavy work, while he sits under a tree. Then, when really needed, comes and saves the day while also destroying what he’s supposed to save. So yeah, this is a heavily comedic movie.

Love and funny

Now don’t get me wrong, Thor is great as a funny man and Chris Hemsworth brings his comedic A-game to the movie. The issue I had is that many of the jokes have been done to death. Like the ol ‘this is my ship’ when it’s clearly Star Lord’s. Or the ‘No, but really, I am better’ etc. I think there is an audience for this, though, and I realize I am quite demanding when it comes to my humour tastes. I just wanted a bit more new from Director and cowriter Taika Waititi. And I can tell you now, if you are not a fan of his movies, you will not like this.

Taika Waititi’s DNA is very strong in this film; It reeks of it. And as a general fan of his, that’s great. The visuals are superb, with some breath-taking scenes. And damn, the music. I think riding in on the waves of Stranger Things season 4 helped increase the love of the 80s theme that Waititi loves so much.

Holy Zeus!

The ideas and world-building are also great. In particular, Omnipotent City was awesome. It’s a City where all the gods of the universe get together to… Fuck? What? Yes. Russel Crow appears as an over-weight, Greek/Russian-accented… Zeus. In a tiny skirt. What? Yes.

That is damn funny though and played nicely on the idea that Zeus really is/was an absolute, imbecilic entity who would fuck just about anything. Some fun moments in the new Asgaurd too. With MAT DAMON, Sam Neil and Luke Hemsworth once again appearing in a play about Thor, Loki and Odin. Even Daryl makes an appearance (first seen in mini ‘Living with Thor’ funny features).

Love and Thunder is crammed to the hilt with blink-and-you’ll-miss it funny bits. Like the goats. I probably gave myself a headache laughing at the screaming goats! I also liked this pseudo love triangle between Thor’s new Axe, and his old lover, Mjölnir.

Sadly it’s often too much that it takes away from any drama. And there should be a lot, the story has some sad bits in! I want to address the Padme in the room, as some have voiced their distaste for a female Thor. So minor spoilers that won’t ruin the movie.

Minor spoilers

I always liked Jane, but that’s because I think Natalie Portman is a bloody good actress. So I was curious how they’d spin her becoming a Thor-type hero. Well it turns out that while Thor and Jane were together, he orders Mjölnir to always protect her. So, when Jane goes to visit the shattered hammer, and it detects she has cancer, it turns her into a version of Thor to save her. Because Thors can’t get sick. Simple as that. And I liked her as this new hero. She’s got a new Mjölnir, in the sense that it can split apart and come back together, and she’s fun to watch. But again, the humour overrides this, with her constantly trying to come up with a catchphrase.

The chemistry between Hemsworth and Portman is still there, and they do share some great scenes together. In fact they are bloody charming. As are the other main players. Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie is awesome as is Taika Waititi as Korg. If anything, the latter being a little over the top. Korg was a fun character when it was added to the mix. I think being a major part of said mix made him a little trying at times…

The post credits scene set up a potential new enemy for Thor, Hercules. I don’t know if it’s because I happened to have a headache by this stage, but the CGI of Hercules was… Not great. Or maybe it was the 3D. The after credits scene was rather touching though.

I don’t think Thor: Love and Thunder, is as good as Waiti’s brilliant Ragnarök. Given free reign means this is very much the director’s movie, funnies and all. It’s worth a watch as it’s probably one of the lightest, and sadly, most inconsequential instalments in the MCU.

I give Thor: Love and Thunder a…

7/10

Crammed with too many slapstick moments, the script is all over the place and the funnies undermine the serious aspects of the story.

* But then again, all of this might mean nothing as you get to see Hemsworth’s naked arse!