Film Review: "Thor: Ragnarok" (2017).

"Let The Games Begin." This is Thor: Ragnarok. This superhero film directed by Taika Waititi, written by Eric Pearson, Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, and produced by Marvel Studios. It is the sequel to Thor (2011) and Thor: The Dark World (2013), and is the seventeenth film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Imprisoned on the other side of the universe, Thor finds himself in a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against the Hulk. Thor's quest for survival leads him in a race against time to prevent the all-powerful Hela from destroying his home world and the Asgardian civilization.

In January 2014, Marvel announced that Craig Kyle and Christopher Yost would write the screenplay for a third film. In the same month, Kyle and Yost began working on the screenplay. In October 2014, Feige announced that the film would be titled Thor: Ragnarok, with a July 28, 2017 release date, and confirmed that Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston would be reprising their roles. Feige called the film "a very important movie" in Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and stated that it would set up Avengers: Infinity War (2018). He also confirmed that, in the context of the film, the word Ragnarok means "the end of all things". In February 2015, Marvel pushed back the release date to November 3, 2017. Both Thor and The Dark World directors Kenneth Branagh and Alan Taylor confirmed that they would not be return. Ruben Fleischer, Rob Letterman, and Rawson Marshall Thurber were considered to direct the film. Ultimately, Taika Waititi entered negotiations, and was confirmed to direct in October 2015. In January 2016, with the film began pre-production. Waititi stated that he was working on the script "a little bit", mainly adding humor to the screenplay, with Eric Pearson joining the project. Waititi described the film as a "1970s and 80s science fiction fantasy, the most 'out there' of all the Marvel movies." He cited Big Trouble in Little China (1986) as a major influence on the film. Waititi said that he also wanted to showcase Hemsworth's comedic talent in this film. By May, Cate Blanchett, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson, Jeff Goldblum, and Karl Urban were added to the cast. In addition, Idris Elba, Tadanobu Asano, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, and Anthony Hopkins were confirmed to reprise their roles. Principal photography began in July 2016 and concluded in October. Filming took place in Village Roadshow Studios Oxenford, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

The film stars Hemsworth, Hiddleston, Blanchett, Elba, Goldblum, Thompson, Urban, Mark Ruffalo, and Hopkins. The recurring cast gave another round of terrific performances this time round, and were further injected with renewed, even overly comedic, energy thanks to the new cast members.

With the help of its charismatic lead, some impressive action sequences, and even a few surprises, Thor: Ragnarok is a strong, witty, and entertaining adventure. The film is brimming with energy and packed with humor. It also distills 1980s science fiction fantasy movies as affectionately as it subverts them.

Simon says Thor: Ragnarok receives:

Also, see my reviews for Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Thor: The Dark World, and Spider-Man: Homecoming.