Thor gets it right in "Ragnarok"

Rating: 9/10 (6 November 2017)

"Thor: Ragnarok" rocks as the best "Thor". Chris Hemsworth is hysterical and heroic as the God of Thunder in Director Taika Waititi's "Ragnarok" which refers to the Norse mythology's End of Days. This is the delightful narrative recreation in the screenplay by Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle, and Christopher Yost. Yet as whimsical as the movie becomes with Thor battling his Avengers mate The Hulk in the gladiator arena on planet Sakaar saying "Yes! We know each other. He's a friend from work!", "Thor: Ragnarok" underlines hero and family. Tom Hiddleston and Anthony Hopkins are both funny and poignant in that capacity.
Hopkins returns as Norse god Odin. His first born daughter Hela, Goddess of Death, regally malevolent Cate Blanchett, returns from Odin's banishment in vengeance imposing Ragnarok upon Asgard. In the touching scene in Norway, Odin tells his warring prodigal sons Thor and Loki, charismatic Tom Hiddleston, "I love you." While escaping from Sakaar, Thor tells Loki he thought growing up that they would "fight side by side forever". That was not to be. Loki is who he is.
With the impending conflict with his sister the Goddess of Death, Thor seeks out Odin in the realm of dreams. Thor says, "I am not as strong as you!" Odin reminds, "No, you're stronger." Waititi pokes fun and creates amazing visuals of distant worlds, but never forgets what moves are heroes and love. In his recurrent theme, Thor says, "Because that's what heroes do." "Thor: Ragnarok" may make you laugh out loud in irreverence as Thor and Hulk talk about being "hotheads". Yet, "Ragnarok" is about reclaiming one's greatness and family.
Chris Hemsworth is awesome. He looks like a Norse god: handsome, chiseled body, and with his long blonde locks shorn. He has great comedic timing and delivery. His Thor reveals as self-deprecating, funny and humbled by circumstance. Hemsworth's Hero emerges in his vulnerability. This comical saga of good and evil compels with Cate Blanchett, who is formidable evil power in Hela. Blanchett is beautiful in sleek wardrobe, antlered helmet, onyx mane, and Goth eyes. Cate restrains from total camp by harnessing some of Hela's fury within. Hela was the merciless warrior in Odin's bloody wars that united the "8 Realms". She embraced her darkness which resulted in her exile as Odin reinvented peace for Asgard.
Blanchett brilliantly nuances Hela's rage and betrayal. She easily disposes hundreds of Asgard warriors. She even shatters Thor's Might Hammer like glass, as seen in movie trailers. Thor may not be strong enough to defeat Hela's great evil.
In silly convoluted fashion Thor and Loki end up captive on the planet Sakaar, the kingdom of the Grandmaster, played by goofy in a good way Jeff Goldblum, as the self-styled Emperor Nero. Thor becomes the Grandmaster's gladiator challenging his champion, the Hulk and his human persona David Banner, played by genius straight man Mark Ruffalo. Thor and Hulk discover the unexpected ally in surviving warrior Valkyrie, strong smart Tessa Thompson. The Valkyrie are the women warrior protectors of Asgard in Norse mythology. Perhaps, the romantic interest for Thor, Thompson is fun and total kick ass.
Eventually, "Thor: Ragnarok" reverts to its superhero DNA. Though it is a wild fun ride with a lot of laughs and welcome poignant turns. Thor does what heroes do—fight against great evil not knowing whether good will prevail. The good man or god in this case fights on as opposed to doing nothing in the face of evil. Hemsworth and Blanchett lend gravitas to Director Waittit's whimsical take on the classic battle of good and evil in the universe where heroes and family count. "Thor: Ragnarok" is great fun.