Movie Review: Thor: Ragnarok

THE MOVIE begins with our favourite Norse god Thor (Hemsworth) in a bit of a bind after being captured by fiery demon Surtur (voiced by Clancy Brown).
Turns out it was all a plan to find out the meaning behind his mysterious dreams in which Surtur features prominently.
When he returns to Asgard, Thor finds Loki (Hiddleston) impersonating their father Odin (Anthony Hopkins), and the duo travel to earth to find their dad.

As a frail Odin bids adieu to his sons, their long-lost sister Hela (Blanchett) – the goddess of death – appears, determined to rule Asgard and enslave everyone.
Hela was Odin's executioner during his bloody wars, but her uncontrollable thirst for power led Odin to cast her out and essentially rewrite history without featuring her contribution.
Naturally, she is not only angry, but also barking mad.
In the course of returning to Asgard via the Bifrost, Thor and Loki are thrown off course.
Thor ends up being captured by heavy-drinking warrior woman Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), who takes him to The Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum).
The Grandmaster holds intergalactic gladiator games, and decides to pit Thor against his champion.
Loki is there too but as usual is only looking out for himself, something Thor finally wises up to.
In the arena, Thor discovers that his opponent is The Hulk, and realises that his only way to return to Asgard and save his people is in getting his old friend to help him.
Meanwhile Hela has unleashed a reign of terror in Asgard, and has her own army of the undead, including a giant wolf, Fenris.
This third Thor movie doesn't take itself seriously but it is still very engaging, and will make you laugh at the antics of the characters.
Mark Ruffalo makes an appearance towards the second half of the film as Bruce Banner, and also voices the Hulk, who is incredibly chatty in this movie.

Some of the standouts in this movie include Skurge (Karl Urban), a soldier who becomes Hela's henchman, and Korg (Waititi), a funny rock-like creature who befriends Thor.
There is never a dull moment in this film, which has more comedic moments than drama – which is a far cry from the first two films.