Time Travel Time/Loki Time: Erasure or Redemption

That Thor's adopted brother, Loki, is now a heroic sort, or in the very least an anti-hero, is rather peculiar when one considers how rotten-to-the-core he once was (and probably still is). Nevertheless, just like we see bad guys turn good in pro wrestling and the fans let bygones be bygones, the same seems to apply to this lethal trickster. 

Loki's Disney+, Michael Waldron co-produced extension will explore the God of Mischief's quirky duality by placing him front and center where his mad charm can be further dissected and savored. Tom Hiddleston (also the show's exec producer) is, of course, reprising his most famous role in the 6-part event which, like WandaVision and the Falcon and the Winter Soldier, will buffer further Phase IV chapters. 

From what's reputed, Loki's exploits will bounce off Endgame, with the devilish deity summoned by the Time Variance Authority (a league that monitors time/reality ruptures), giving our lead the choice of erasure or redemption, the latter by investigating the murders of TVA's police force, the Minutemen. (Incidentally, there may be a Loki counterpart in this crafty caper and a fetching lady, at that; hint, hint.) 

Joining Hiddleston is Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Revonna Lexus Renslayer (a TVA judge) and Owen Wilson as Mobius M. Mobius (a TVA analyst). Also in the series is Sophia D. Martino (hmmm, wonder who she's portraying), Eugene Cordero, Erika Coleman, Tara Strong (via voice), and fantasy-film favorite, Richard E. Grant.  

Fans continue to speculate on whether Chris Hemsworth's Thor, Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie and/or Jaimie Alexander's Lady Sif will drop by, not to mention Jonathan Majors as a possible Kang the Conqueror. Anything is possible (perhaps even probable) after Evan Peters shook the MCU, and springing surprises on viewers when they least expect them is now the norm, but all the same, we'll wait and see.

But one thing's for certain: From every indication and insinuation, Loki should be another huge, Disney+ hit. It streams into home theaters June 9. 

I saw Thor: Ragnarok...

"Thor: Ragnarok" is a blast--a blast, that is, for its video-arcade colors and surreal structure, more a dream than other Marvel movies, with the exception of, perhaps, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1-2" and "Doctor Strange". It's also amusingly austere and damn gusty in its adult sensibilities: a commendable contrast to the competing samplings of lame, juvenile magic and bad-is-good, playset antics that Hollywood has tried to force upon us within the past year. 

This new Thor journey, directed by Taika Waititi and scripted by Eric Pearson, resumes with Tom Hiddleston's Loki disguised as Anthony Hopkins' Odin. The once-epilogue springboard doesn't last long, steering us to the real story at hand: hellish Hela, the Goddess of Death (Cate Blanchet), seizing control of Asgard; and to rid herself of the competition, she uses high-powered sorcery to dispel her foes (by accident or plan) to fight in a distant junkyard arena. Jeff Goldblum's Grandmaster, a clever cross between Willie Wonka and Ming the Merciless, oversees the deadly matches, and at one point (as those who've caught the trailers know), the Mighty Thor and the Incredible Hulk go toe to toe. 

Much of the film's charm stems from the interaction between Chris Hemsworth's Thor and Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner/Hulk, whether they're clobbering each other or saving each other's butts. When these titans go at it, the screen adapts a psychedelic, raucous zeal that not even the most uninhibited, freewheeling graphic novels can surpass. In fact, their contentious collaboration returns us to those glorious Marvel days when the two swapped punches without apology or threat of cry-baby critique, but not before we experience heaps of crazy glitz. 

The precise (mis)steps leading to how Thor, Hulk and (for that matter) Loki enter the Hela's imposed conflict matters little, for the circumstances are comically convenient. As an unofficial "Spartacus" derivative, it's the fighting that counts in this torrential spree, which consumes about ninety percent of the tale and projects the Norse prophesy of Ragnarok: the end to everything. But fear not: Character development bridges the mayhem. Though "Ragnarok" may look and feel like an old, violent video game, it never skimps on substance. In other words, fans of "The Matrix" sequels may not be thrilled with the results; but those who fancy "Winter Soldier" and "Logan" should be satisfied.

Perhaps more than in previous Avenger adventures, "Ragnarok" becomes Hemworth's most hammering jaunt. He carries the film with brawny deftness and humble class, making him perfect for the fair-haired god. Though his interaction with Ruffalo's Banner/Hulk is the highlight, Hemsworth's affable aura also connects with several other characters, particularly Hiddleston's Loki. 

With that said, Hiddleston once more brings a cogent mischievousness to his scenes, just as Hopkins supplies his essential air of regal wisdom as Odin. Respectful nods must also go to Idris Elba as visionary Heimdall; Karl Urban as the reluctant Executioner; and let's not overlook Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange, who gives "Ragnarok" just enough manly mysticism to make his brevity important to the plot. 

Of course, the fellas aren't alone in dictating the tale's terms. Blachett's Hela is breathtaking, though rather in a dominatrix, Sarah Douglas/Ursa sort of way; and Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie is an equal sight for sore eyes. Those who might object to sexy babes in tight-fitting outfits (even if they're represented as strong and/or resourceful) may take issue with "Ragnarok'"s eye candy, but for those of unpretentious, open-minded tastes, these feisty gals add to the fun in more ways than one. 

Hey, folks, this ain't Shakespeare, any more than the "Guardians" movies are; but like those wonderful, intergalactic escapades, Thor's latest, big-budget exploit hits all the rapturous marks: a good, ol' two-fisted, transcendental action flick, and as such, one of the year's irrefutable best, no matter what the comparison or category.