I saw Thor: Ragnarok on a Friday night in 2017 at an AMC with sticky floors and loud seats. My soda shook when the music kicked in. I went again the next week with my cousin on Disney+ because, honestly, I couldn’t stop quoting it. You know what? I still hum the song from the trailer when I fold laundry. It just lives in my head. I later stumbled across an equally enthusiastic write-up of the film that really nails why it sticks with you—read it here.
The first punch: humor hits fast
The movie starts hot. Thor hangs on a chain and keeps spinning while talking to a giant fire guy. It’s goofy, but it works. That's pure Taika Waititi swagger, a vibe he discussed in an insightful Time interview right around the film’s release. Later, Thor sees Hulk in the arena and yells, “He’s a friend from work!” Our whole row cheered, and I spilled Skittles on my jeans. Worth it.
Korg stole scenes for me. He talks about starting a revolution with pamphlets. It’s dry. It’s weird. And it slides right into your brain like a good meme. But here’s the twist: the jokes don’t always land. A couple bits felt stretched, like improv that stayed in a beat too long. I still laughed, but I also wanted a breath.
Hela is a problem — the fun kind
Cate Blanchett walks in like a rock star in black armor and just breaks Thor’s hammer. In an alley. The theater gasped. Hela looks fierce, with those wild antlers and that calm voice. She doesn’t need to shout to scare you. I liked that. I only wish we got more of her backstory on screen instead of a quick history lesson.
Skurge, the guy with “Des” and “Troy,” got me in the end. I didn’t think much of him at first. Then the bridge scene hit, and I felt it. Funny how that happens.
Valkyrie arrives, and it feels like a splash
When Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie enters, she falls off her ship and still owns the moment. She drinks, she fights, she smirks. My cousin high-fived me when Valkyrie took charge in the last fight. “That’s my hero,” she said. Same, kid.
Also, Thor and Loki’s “Get Help” gag? I laughed both times. Their brother stuff feels like real family chaos—pranks, eye rolls, and one decent hug when it counts.
The look and sound — neon thunder
Visually, this movie pops. Sakaar looks like a toy box exploded—bright, messy, fun. It’s got that Jack Kirby feel: big shapes, loud colors, and angles that don’t sit quiet. The color grading leans warm and electric; it makes the metal shine. During the arena fight, the camera swings wide so you can see every hit. It felt clear, not muddy. That matters.
The score by Mark Mothersbaugh brings synth vibes, and, yes, the Led Zeppelin track rips. When the riff drops during the bridge battle, it’s like lightning in your chest. I almost clapped by myself. Not kidding.
If you’re curious about another movie that pairs bold visuals with a wry sense of humor, give What a Way to Go a spin sometime.
Heart under the jokes
Here’s the thing: it’s not all jokes. There’s loss baked in. Thor’s eye. Home turned to smoke. “Asgard is a people, not a place.” That line stuck with me on the ride home. It reminded me of the aching tenderness in Guillermo del Toro’s fantasy romance; if that blend of wonder and sorrow appeals, you might love The Shape of Water. The film says you can crack a smile and still face the fire. I like that balance. Well, mostly. Sometimes a joke cuts the tension too fast—like Korg chatting while everything burns. Funny, yes. But a small undercut.
A few wobbles (because nothing’s perfect)
- The CGI gets rubbery in the final stretch. I noticed it on a big IMAX screen.
- Odin’s scene on the cliff looks like a screensaver. Pretty, but thin.
- A couple punchlines repeat. I laughed, then I wanted the story to push harder.
Still, the pace snaps back quick. And Jeff Goldblum as the Grandmaster? I could watch him read a parking ticket and grin.
My small, real moments
I wore my old Thor tee to my first showing. A stranger in a Hulk hoodie gave me a thumbs-up. During the Hulk vs. Thor fight, a kid behind me yelled, “Smash him nicely!” Everyone laughed. On my rewatch, my dad said, “That guy is weird,” about the Grandmaster, then smiled the whole time. Moments like those are why I enjoy swapping half-remembered scenes with friends; when you’re trying to recall ‘that one movie with the arena fight and the big green guy,’ this guide to finding movies just by describing them comes in handy. Movies that make three different people happy? That counts.
Should you watch it?
If you like Marvel, yes (and, judging by its Certified Fresh status on Rotten Tomatoes, a lot of people do). If you like buddy comedies with wild action, yes. If you want dark Norse doom with no jokes, maybe not. This one is color and charm and kicks—more party than poem, but with a real heart. And it moves. No slog.
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Final take
Thor: Ragnarok feels like a bright thunderstorm that leaves you grinning. It’s loud, it’s warm, and it sneaks in a little truth about home and change. I’m giving it 4.5 out of 5 hammers. I’d watch it again right now—maybe with fewer Skittles on my lap.