I saw Thor IV...

Thor: Love and Thunder, directed by Marvel-movie veteran Taika Waititi, who cowrote with Jennifer Kaytin Robertson, is (up to a conspicuous, preluding point) as much a sequel for the Guardians of the Galaxy as it is the titular hero, though that only figures since we last saw Chris Hemsworth's God of Thunder as a mirthful component of his close-knit (though jealous) chums. 

Though we find Thor still immersed in rambunctious shenanigans, he must ultimately face Christian Bale's anguished Gorr the God Butcher, who's as far from the actor's Dark Knight as one could imagine (a shadowy, kidnapping Joker on metaphysical steroids, if one will); yeah, frightful, formidable stuff with which to contend and so right for our eponymous champion, for heroes are only as heroic as their villains are villainous.

Abetting the Love and Thunder joust are Russell (Man of Steel) Crowe as the Pan-prone Zeus; Taika Waititi as the narrating, Kronan gladiator Korg; Tessa Thompson as faithful King Valkyrie; Jaimie Alexander as durable Lady Sif; Kieron L. Dyer as rockin' Astrid (aka Axl); and comprising those great, bumbling Guardians, Chris Hemsworth as Star-lord (aka Peter Quill); Vin Diesel as Groot; Karen Gillian as Nebula; Dave Bautista as Drax; Pom Klementieff as Mantis; and vocalizing the dyspeptic Rocket Racoon, Bradley Cooper. 

Natalie Portman also reprises her role as scientist supreme Jane Foster (Thor's main squeeze), a welcoming presence who's somehow managed to mend Thor's hammer and now acts as a God of Thunder counterpart. This may seem a woke move (and probably is), but there's a poignant, underlying trigger to Foster's "graduation", which coats the movie in a most surprising way. It's just too bad that the revealed secret comes a tad too late in spurring the Thor-v-Gorr core.  

Even so, the movie deflects this minor misstep with fun fringe benefits, including Barry "Baz" Iodine's stunning, effects-enhanced photography and a roaring score by Nami (Star Trek) Melumad and Michael (Jurassic World) Giacchino (perhaps the most prolific music composer in cinema today). The Guns N' Roses inserts are also a real nice touch, and the same goes for those giant, goofy goats. 

Beyond any doubt, Love and Thunder is a sometimes goofy, sometimes serious (and therefore sufficient on the whole) segment in Marvel's Phase 4 Multiverse, and it should more than financially compensate Disney in light of Lightyear's (Tim Allen-scorned) box-office shame. Go in with an open mind and open heart, and you're sure to come away feeling mighty (pun intended) contended.