Review of Thor; Ragnarok

I decided to finally claim my first IMAX experience and what better choice then a film by the outrageously wonderful Taika Waititi. My most jubilant feelings of anticipation where soon cut short as I was handed that most sorrowful pieces of earthly filth - the 3D glasses. I clearly hadn’t read such crutial details during the booking process. I want this review to be purely focused upon the quality of the film itself, but I’ll be damned if I’m not halving a micro rant about the terribly pointless 3D garbage (a skip to the next paragraph might be wise). The worse thing now is that 3D isn't even just protruding objects anymore as the entire landscape is now squeezed into 3D proportions. It litrally feels asthough the picture is only big because it is in your face. I am not joking nor do I mean to peversly encoroage you but IMAX 3D is like watching a tiny show performed by ant sized people in a matchbox on the end of your nose. It is very disorientating and the two elements are at constant war with each other. The eye-strain of this effect is equal to 2 hours worth of reading a magic eye book. The sophisticated new glasses are terrible to use now too and within ten minutes I wanted to trade mine in for red and green paper ones. The latest set have one eye slightly obscured (I can’t say for why) it kind of gave the effect of an eyepatch made with sheer translucent material.
I hated the 3D and hate even more to say it distracted me from fully concentrating on the film. What I did see of ‘Thor; Ragnarok’ however I can say that I loved.

It is one of those marvellous films that place no strain on your focus because it is relentlessly entertaining. Thor Ragnarok continues on from Thor; the dark world, only now the end of the world is very much nigh. The leading characters are back in fighting form and are on a tour of the universe to try and save Asgard and escape the clutches of Jeff Goldblum who playes an imortal partyanimal titled 'The Grandmaster'. It still looks very much like a marvel film but has somehow managed to achieve a superb balance of combining the dry humoured, quirky identity of a smaller Waititi film with the larger marvel proportions. There seemed to be a different comedic set up in each scene almost like a sketch show. It was really great to see Chris Hemsworth showcasing his skills as a comedy actor. It wasn’t just down to the moments of genius within the written dialogue as Hemsworth shows he has a comic instinct and great use of physical humour. A great quality of the film too was how meta and self deprecating the characters where and it gave the villains in particular more depth. This was particularly in the case of 'Hella' (Cate Blanchett). Hellas darkness and power are presented alongside moments that ridicule her failed attempts to demand respect. The film also uses its special effects in a spectacularly creative ways. When Hellas hair turns to horns it is a beautifully fluid action that for some reason caused certain people in the screen I was in to exclaim “GO KATE” I don’t think they necessarily thought it was the actress’s personal skill, but I understand the sentiment. her whole performance was great! there is something about her which really commands your full focus whenever she is on screen. My only criticism would be I would have liked to have seen more Blanchet.
I also really felt with this film that the SciFi moments where constructed with great tangibility. Everything in this film looked touchable and correctly weighted which is rare for a glossary high CGI Blockbuster. There is a visually interesting scene taking place in a festival for the Hulk. Everything looked like a real life spectacle and yet had the convincing feel of a far away planet.
I think what Waititi proves with this film is that he is very accomplished as an action director as well as a comedian as he uses the action sequences to showcase his creative ingenuity. In a flash back scene the texture of the action is that of an old dramatic oil painting in which a fight involving the Valkyries is taking place. The dramatic lighting design in this scene beautifully impressive.