Thor: Ragnarok revives its franchise by being funny, energetic, and stylish. Its plot isn't wholly original, but it's decently unique and steadily motivated. The villain is fairly standard (lacking development and feeling uninvolved), but her origins help and Blanchett relishes the role. Besides that, Ragnarok is purposeful. Thor's obstacle reflects his arc regarding displacement. Valkyrie is intriguingly flawed, Loki’s relationship evolves, and Hulk’s inclusion is dynamic. Plus, there's comedic wit, consistent payoff, and productive (albeit thin) drama. Overall, Ragnarok has personality that was woefully missing from its predecessors and is one of the best MCU films.
Technically, Ragnarok is equally flavorful. There's cinematic framing, motion, color, composition, and lighting. The abstract flashbacks and flashy combat shots particularly impress. The editing uses jump cuts, fade outs, pacing, slow motion, smash cuts, and intercuts to create surrealism. The sound enhances ambiance, emotions, battles, weather, and magic. The production design is varied across planets and feels more thorough. The cast has cameos, the effects punctuate tones, and the direction is cohesive. Lastly, the soundtrack utilizes pop hits, synths, and regional music, consistently supporting the material. Ultimately, Ragnarok will satisfy all viewers and nearly transcends its genre.
Writing: 7/10
Direction: 8/10
Cinematography: 8/10
Acting: 7/10
Editing: 8/10
Sound: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 9/10
Production Design: 8/10
Casting: 10/10
Effects: 7/10
Overall Score: 8.0/10
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