A Very Un-Thor Like Thor

Rating: 7/10 (19 April 2018)

This movie is fun. It has great action sequences, loads of jokes, the great team up of Thor and Hulk, Loki's return, and some new characters that blend in nicely. And that's the problem. Its too jokey.
I don't want my Marvel movies to be dark, intense and dreary. We have the DC movies for that. However, the tone that is struck with this movie just never set right with me. Thor is throwing out one line after one liner. He grins through most of the movie. Chris Hemsworth is a very gifted comedian. Look no further than his role in the Vacation sequel. He was hilarious. But that does not fit well with Thor.
Ragnarok is supposed to be the end of times. An Apocalypse. Yet, everyone in the movie seems to be having a glorious time. Thor jokes that Loki has tried to kill him many times, but seems to have forgotten that Loki also tried to kill everyone on Earth in The Avengers as well as nearly killing Odin in the first Thor movie. Thor doesn't need Loki, as his adopted brother does almost nothing to advance the plot. Hiddleston has been a breath of fresh air in the series, but he is wasted in this movie. He is just a foil for Thor, not a rival or friend.
The inclusion of Dr,. Strange was a nice touch. The subtle humor in that scene is how the rest of the movie should have been played. Instead they went for over-the-top laughs and I think it damages the characters credibility.
I would be remiss if I did not mention that Cate Blanchett looks HOOOOT in her Hela costume. I know that is pretty shallow, but when she first appears on screen, I got a bit warm. I had to pull up IMDB to make sure that was really her. In addition to looking amazing in the costume, she also is a pretty decent villain. Her character is powerful, has a sense of irony, and is actually dangerous.
I would have preferred a more serious take on the character. Thor acted more like Tony Stark, than Thor. If they wanted all the jokes, they should have coughed up another couple millions and hired RDJ to join the shenanigans.