Thor: Ragnarok

     The third and final installment of  Marvel's successful Thor series wraps up with a colorful, end of the world bang. Anyone who knows their Norse mythology, would know that Ragnarok is the prophesied end of the Asgard (the realm of the greatest gods and goddesses). Every known enemy against Odin and his people would ally together to bring the destruction of the once golden realm. Any survivors would be sent to Midgard (Earth) to start new lives as mortals...at least according to the prophecy.

     Meanwhile, anyone who has seen Captain America: Civil War would notice the absence of the handsome god of thunder as well and the great green Hulk. While the Avengers were fighting among themselves, believing that they were saving the world, Thor and Hulk were literally saving the universe. 

Thor, Hulk, Valkyrie, Heimdall, Loki, Grandmaster, Hela

     After the fight in Sokovia, Thor has dedicated the last two years in defeating the monsters that could bring about the actual destruction of Asgard. While battling Surtur of Muspelheim-who is thought to be leader of Ragnarok-Surtur informs Thor that his father is no longer residing in Asgard. Thor defeats the Muspelheim monster, believing he has now ended Ragnarok (before it even began) and returns home.

     When he arrives, Thor notices some changes. Heimdall the gatekeeper has disappeared and Odin is there, but he is not Odin, but rather Loki posing as Odin to have control over Asgard. Shockingly enough, Loki has done very well as ruler, but it doesn't negate the fact that Odin is gone by Loki's own doing. The brothers' travel to Earth and eventually find their father who is in his last minutes of life. 

     Before he leaves Earth, Odin forewarns his sons of a coming evil that he has tried to hide. Unbeknownst to Thor and Loki, they have an older half-sister Hela, the ruler of Helheim, the realm of dead. Hela returns to take back Asgard for herself believing it is her right as the oldest to take over. Crazy, delusional and power-hungry, Hela doesn't waste time in wreaking havoc for both sons of Odin, sending them flying across the universe.

     They both land (but are separated) on the planet of Sakaar, a garbage planet inhibited by lowlifes, slavers, gamblers, and burnouts. Fortunately, Thor runs into Bruce Banner/the Hulk who is now a showfighter for the outrageous Grandmaster that runs the planet of Sakaar. Thor also meets Valkyrie, a legendary female soldier who once fought against Hela, but was defeated. Since then, Valkyrie has spent her life drinking, partying and in a constant state of hopelessness.

     Life on Sakaar is nothing but showfighting and gambling, a life that Thor has no interest in, especially since his home has been taken over by Hela and her comrades. Eventually, Thor and Hulk team up with Vakyrie and Loki and manage to leave Sakaar to fight for Asgard's survival. Yet an unexpected twist in the understanding of the actual Ragnarok prophecy becomes the actual defining line between life and death for Thor, Loki and the realm of Asgard. 

    As compared to the fairy tale quality of the first film and the sci-fy mystery element of the sequel, both of which had serious dramatic undertones, Ragnarok was very, very different. Ragnarok, while very humorous, much more so than the prior two films, didn't really seem to fit into the trilogy. The complete tone of the Thor story had changed dramatically and the storyline tended to be very disjointed in many ways and there seemed to be no connection at all. I actually fell asleep during the middle of the film, because it just seemed to drag on and on.

     I'm not going to be entirely unfair here, the acting on all fronts was great and Thor's character arc just comes full circle! Loki is still Loki, love him or hate him, the Marvel franchise really can't do without him now. Yet, he did have his unexpected redemptive moments as well. While it might be my least favorite of the Thor trilogy, Ragnarok was most certainly its own story that wasn't really about ending the trilogy, but rather leading into Avengers: Infinity War.