Visually exciting and genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, we get to explore what it means to be a superhero / Lord of Thunder. Thor: Ragnarok hits a bold strike, Marvel continues its roll.

I'll come right and say it - this is one of those films I was so keen to see on opening weekend that I ended up in the cinema on a Sunday afternoon on my own. #noshame. Marvel strikes thunder again (just one month before DC's Justice League opens) with a thoroughly entertaining and action-packed third chapter in the Thor universe. This universe includes much more of Asgard than Earth, and we see a relatively straightforward storyline unfold with the introduction of evil (secret) older sister Hela (Cate Blanchett) who is out to wreak havoc on Asgard. Both Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) are in fine form as they return - will they or won't they team up again?
In a plot that essentially is the latest series of Sherlock, a hidden-away evil and much more powerful sister escapes from captivity (locked away for being too evil) and she's hela-bent on continuing the expanse of the Asgardian empire. Previously, she'd fought side by side with her father Odin, but soon grew too ambitious whereas he grew a conscience. And so we end up here - with Blanchett's scary and also Halloween-costume-worthy character ruling the place whilst the adoptive brothers are stranded on the planet Sakaar. Also, to give some context on "Ragnarok", it is the prophesied grave destruction - "the end of all things" as described by producer Kevin Feige. A couple of Marvel films have hinted towards these events, so you'd expect the film to be much darker, but it's actually full of confident humour through the script, and new characters like Jeff Goldblum's Grandmaster (the planet ruler who shoves prisoners into a giant arena to fight each other for fun).

Jeff Goldblum looks like the Hunger Games's Caesar but I was probably slightly distracted by the blue lipstick stripe on his face. He provides absolutely priceless comic value, and the whole vibe combined with the scrapyard planet definitely rings bells of Guardians of the Galaxy does Gladiator (with the tone much more GOTG than G). Also, watch out for the runaway favourite gladiator Korg and his panniest deadpan (voiced by talented Director Taika Waititi). This is a film as much about its ensemble cast and characters than the titular character, and audiences will be happy to see the return of the Hulk, last seen plummeting to an unknown demise. The demise is eventually becoming the Grandmaster's prize fighter, so we'll get to see Thor vs. Hulk. If that - and the on-screen festival of the Hulk - doesn't sell cinema tickets, what will? And if that wasn't enough superhero geeking out for you, Doctor Strange makes an appearance, and the award for best, funniest cameo goes to Matt Damon. Watch carefully, this is as close to Damon in a Marvel film as we can get and it's fall-to-the-floor fantastic.

This is definitely a different type of Marvel film. I say this every time I review one - yet they always find a way for it to feel fresh, not a repeat of an overused film concept. Just how do they do it!? In my notepad I'd written down elements of Tron and Lord of the Rings which I never thought I'd be writing for a superhero flick. Despite it feeling light, it's simultaneously dark and Thor is really tested this time. We've had apparent budget cuts in the studio: Captain America away from his shield, Spiderman separated from his hi-tech spidey suit...now what do we get if we strip Thor away from his hammer and long locks of golden hair? The answer is an edgier, rockier heavy metal Thor (minus the long hair), but needless to say Hemsworth gives a credible, fascinating performance no matter which hairdo he rocks (#NewHairNewMe). It might be limited, but we do get to dig a little deeper. Also, with a really smart script and bold decisions, Thor has never been funnier!


It's always great to see Hiddleston as the baddie we love to hate, plus this time there are two really strong female characters - Hela and Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), a legendary Asgardian warrior and maybe love interest. Her character, also a bounty hunter called 142, is slightly predictable and sometimes feels a bit shoehorned in, but makes a good addition to the team and I'm sure we'll be seeing her again. Hela, on the other hand, is a worthy villain, but almost too effortlessly powerful. She isn't given too much of a personality since she's too busy being bad-ass and destroying everything with a single swipe. She does get to talk about the "eternal flame", however, which I found slightly hard to take seriously without wanting to burst into song.

Thor's third "solo" outing certainly gives all the other heroes a run for their money. With an interesting twist, some serious blinding repercussions for future films, and one of the funniest scripts we've ever had, it has certainly raised the standards and kept the momentum going towards Avengers: Infinity War. Of all the Marvel films, I've always been slightly less enthused by Thor (I blame it on a poor edit of the first film's first trailer), but I'm pleased to say we got off on the wrong foot and I will be recommending this to friends. And if you can't find friends to cinema with, just go in and watch it by yourself anyway.

Thor: Ragnarok is in cinemas now.