Movie Review: Thor: Love and Thunder ❤️⚡️ (No Spoilers)

 

One of the most anticipated sequels of the growing Marvel Cinematic Universe finally opens in theaters this week, as the newest Thor film called “Thor: Love and Thunder” opens in cinemas in the Philippines today and on other international territories while the US gets it this July 8! 

As the fourth installment of the Thor saga, we see the God of Thunder going on adventures as a Space Viking alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy, until a new threat emerges in Gorr the God Butcher - who seeks to kill all gods and see his unholy crusade and mission realized. Coming out of "retirement" and racing back to his allies and friends in New Asgard, Thor is also reunited with the reassembled Mjolnir... And its new wielder in his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster, now known as the Mighty Thor!

Thanks to Marvel Philippines, Disney Studios PH, Stratworks, and SM Cinema, I got to see the film last weekend in advance of its opening day in theaters - and as expected it was a fun and awesome time seeing Chris Hemsworth back as the God of Thunder for another classic Thor adventure! Here's what went down with the premiere and event in the video below!

And now for the Thor: Love and Thunder review proper!

As a continuation of the character's adventures and being a fun entertaining superhero popcorn flick, Love and Thunder does an amazing job bringing together the action, comedy, and special effects expected from a Marvel Studios film directed by Taika Waititi, After the success of Thor: Ragnarok as well as the last two Avengers films, it was a no brainer to see Hemsworth back and in full Thor mode. Gone is the Bro Thor look he sported in Avengers: Endgame and he's fighting the good fight once more with a muscular physique. His time with the Guardians is also highlighted in this movie, but only in a brief sense before bringing the focus back solely to the Odinson and his immediate supporting cast. We see Valkyrie and Korg back, as well as more focus on New Asgard on Earth after the events of Endgame. There's a lot to take in, but Thor's journey and character arc in the MCU has been both a pleasure and challenge to see. He's gone through a lot, and he faces so much more in this installment especially when it comes to the other main cast member below.

Natalie Portman back as Jane Foster... And wielding Mjolnir to become The Mighty Thor! This is something fans have been waiting to see in the MCU since the comics introduced the new female Thor into the picture, and now we see a pretty good interpretation of the character in Love and Thunder that remains consistent with when we last saw the character in The Dark World. She's definitely going to be a fan favorite for those looking for more female heroes, and it's great to see Portman play an equal to Thor instead of the damsel in distress role this time around.

Of course the absolute highlight of Love and Thunder has to be Christian Bale as Gorr the God Butcher. He absolutely gives a terrifying and committed performance to this role, and literally "he lived long enough to see himself become the villain" in another comic book movie after ending his run as Batman in The Dark Knight Trilogy a decade ago. 

Overall, Thor: Love and Thunder is not a perfect film but it is absolutely fun and full of spectacle to behold. It doesn't quite match up to the freshness of Ragnarok or remain consistent to the earlier portrayals of Thor and Asgard when the MCU began, but it's evolved to a more relaxed and relatable version of the God of Thunder that kids and moviegoers can follow with ease. Plus Hemsworth is having so much fun playing the character that I hope he returns for more MCU films. 

Rating - 4/5