You started early but strong, championing Marvel when it was still Atlas and Timely, collaborating through the years with such artistic giants as Steve Ditko, Moebius and Jack Kirby.
Thanks to you, Captain America and Sub-Mariner dominated a new, silvery age, and you never failed to publicize their virtues, paving the way for Spider-man, Iron Man, Black Panther, the Incredible Hulk, the Mighty Thor, Daredevil, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four.
When others dismissed comics as childish and uncool, you displayed them like coveted metals, celebrating and mingling among Marvel's characters in blockbuster movies and even hosting your own superhuman, television show.
You were a one and only, Mr. Lee...Stan the Man to many a starry-eyed youngster and jaded adult: those eager to believe in magic and that good could triumph over evil. You granted it all with arms wide open and a huge, welcoming heart. Your generous, iconic legacy will live on, cradled among the titans of the past, present and those yet to be born...
Excelsior!!!
"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.
I saw the latest Thor movie, fancied it quite a lot, despite what the snobbish critics had to say. The new Captain America trailer looks rousing, as well. I think "Winter Soldier" will be another satisfying entry in the Marvel movie series.
Real curious about this new Batman outfit in the upcoming "World's Finest" film. The speculative buzz on it is very stirring, indeed!
PS: (1/28/14) Just wanted to inject a few additional comments onto my Thor post, which was basically initiated on the basis of initiating my blog center. My words at the time were sadly sparse, but I just wished to add that, upon recently revisiting "The Dark World", I found the film even more enjoyable than during the first outing.
Tom Hiddleston's Loki is, indeed most fascinating, fluctuating among villain, brotherly friend and something enigmatically between the extremes. In the end, it's still hard to say where the character precisely stands, and for that, the Thor sequel becomes all the better textured, while throwing Loki back to his mischievous, mythological roots.
All in all, "Dark World" is fun just for the sake of such, even throwing in an ample amount of comedy, which doesn't ever puncture or hinder the plot. Check out the sequel if you haven't already. It'll be time well worth spent, and undoubtedly a nice warm-up to "Winter Soldier".
