Thor: Love and Thunder

At this point, it’s no secret that I love Marvel movies. I’ve written about them or mentioned them quite a few times on the website. I usually even pick the newest Marvel movies as the movie of the month, but ever since we have entered phase four, things haven’t felt the same. Maybe it’s my burnout from superhero movies, or maybe after experiencing Avengers Endgame, nothing feels as spectacular or large. Whatever the case, Thor: Love and Thunder fell flat for me as a Marvel movie. 

Thor: Love and Thunder Review

The Thor franchise might arguably be the weakest among all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, although Antman is a close second place. Thor starts as this serious Norse god with this air of stoicism, but that doesn’t seem to work. Or at least in the eyes of Disney, it didn’t bring in enough money from the box office, which makes the transition from stoic Norse warrior into a goofy comedian who wields a powerful hammer in Thor Ragnarok all the more interesting. Taika Waititi changed how we as an audience experience Thor, both in good and bad ways. But you aren’t here to listen to me vent about Thor’s character development. 

Thor: Love and Thunder is a good movie. It’s not great, but it’s not bad either. But why does it feel like the movies coming out in Phase Four all fall into this category? The other day, it clicked in my head after thinking about it like the obsessive nerd I am. The Phase Four Movies don’t feel like Marvel movies but instead like movies from their respective directors. Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness feels like a Sam Raimi flick with all of its horror elements. Eternals feels like it is exploring some philosophical character study, which Chloe Zhao is known to do in her movies. Thor: Love and Thunder feel like a funny Taika Waititi film but lacks the overall cohesion with the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.  

Thor: Love and Thunder is a fun movie. There is no ignoring that. But for me, it fails to make me care about the characters. We learn about the different characters’ motivations and what is driving them. We learn about Gorr the God Butcher and what drives him, along with Jane Foster sacrificing herself after we find out she has cancer, but we don’t see the journey of those emotions. I don’t know about you, but that feels like a waste. I’m all for a good comedy, but Thor as a franchise lacks a bit of emotion other than comedy. I think hints of sadness would make the comedy feel more full. 

My Rating

3.8 out of 5 screaming goats. (IYKYK)

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, Thor: Love and Thunder is a fun movie. At the same time, the movie seems to be experiencing unjust hate for being a comedy. Maybe we thought it was going to be some epic quest when it’s a zany comedy with a few romantic comedy beats intertwined. Is it perfect? No, but it fits Thor. Thor: Love and Thunder is the culmination of Thor Ragnarok and his other appearances in the MCU. He is now the goofy but powerful warrior. And honestly, I don’t have a problem with that, I just don’t expect some stoic tale of Thor anymore. Also, the Shadow Realm fight might go down as one of the best-looking scenes in a superhero movie.