Thor: Love & Thunder Brings Down The Hammer

 I remember when it was announced that Marvel Comics was turning Thor into a girl.  They were bringing in a female Thor, or Lady Thor, as she would be nicknamed.  I had never been a Thor reader, but it bugs me how DC and Marvel change up characters who have been around for decades just to try and plead new readers to pick up a book.  But, when it was released, I decided to check out this Lady Thor so that I could have an honest opinion on it.  I'm not sure I actually read too many Thor comics to that point, but since then, I haven't stopped reading Thor!  The Mighty Thor was an amazing run by writer Jason Aaron and turned Jane Foster into a tragic hero we were all cheering for.

Taika Waititi's first run on Odinson was Thor: Ragnorak and it took the character in a completely different direction in the MCU.  And I did not like it.  To be fair, I also disliked the previous Thor film. However, the first film in the character's franchise I still think is one of the MCU's best.  To me, Thor is galactic Shakespeare. He has a troublesome brother, a merry band of friends, and his dad can be a dick.  Thor: Ragnorak was a film that felt more like Flash Gordon than Shakespeare.  That's why I say, to me, it's an entertaining movie, but not a god Thor movie. I believe Taika Waititi is a good filmmaker.  I just don't think his style fits with what Thor is.

When it was announced Waititi was coming back for Love & Thunder I was disappointed because of my feelings on Ragnorak.  And when it was announced that they were bringing back Natalie Portman to play Mighty Thor I was excited for the storyline to be told, but kept my expectations in check, again, because of Ragnorak.  I mean for Christ's sake Waititi killed the Warrior's Three, which were part of the greatness of that first Thor movie!

In this Phase 4 film, Thor is bumming around with the Guardians of the Galaxy when trouble arises in the form of Gorr the God Butcher.  I know this character in the comics, but I'm not too familiar with him.  He is waging a war on all Gods because of their vanity and has set his sights on Thor Odinson. He kidnaps the children of New Asgard, including Heimdall's son.  Remember when Multiverse of Madness said Dr Strange and Mordo were mortal enemies, but last we saw Mordo in the MCU he and Strange where cool? Heimdall's son appearing in this film is kinda like that. Christian Bale as Gorr is great.  He's an actor who knows the assignment.  He knows what kind of movie he is in, so his performance can seem a bit extravagant, but he pulls it in enough to where it works. I'm not sure I'd put him as a top MCU villain, but he's up there.

Another actor I loved in this film was Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie.  She was a highlight of Ragnorak for me, and again in this film.  Like Bale, she knows who her character is, and how not to make it too big or goofy.  She is badass, and that makes her hot as hell!  Waititi himself returns to voice Thor's best friend, Korg, and while for a moment there I thought they were actually going to kill him for dramatic effect, they couldn't be without the film's comedic sidekick. Plus, Korg was the one telling the story. 

Ever since we found out Chris Hemsworth has great comedic timing the MCU has treated Thor as a dumb jock.  My favorite outing as Hemsworth playing the character is actually Infinity War. He had bits of comedy, but still had the serious attitude overall.  That's the perfect blend for me.  This film had moments of seriousness, and when it did, I thought they actually worked great.  Jane revealing to Thor she has cancer, and the trio be captured by Gorr were some of my favorite scenes.  And then, you take a great actor like Russell Crowe and make him a joke called Zeus in a scene whose sole purpose was to show off Chris Hemsworth's bod.  There is one scene like this in every Thor movie. My wife doesn't seem to mind. But don't even get me started on hammer jealousy.

Like I said before, the Jane becoming Thor storyline is great in the comics, and with an Oscar winner like Natalie Portman, it could've been great.  But I honestly didn't think they leaned into it enough. This is cancer, but I never felt the gravitas of her disease till the end.  Waititi just wanted to tell a romantic space comedy, I get it.  To me, a film like Love & Other Drugs with Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway is a great example of a romantic comedy that can have a serious situation blend beautifully. And I know Taika Waititi has the chops to tell a story with that kind of balance.  I've seen JoJo Rabbit. I just felt like because it was MCU, and a Waititi Thor film, this movie never had a chance of really digging into Jane's emotional despair, and why she wielded Mjonir.  

In regards to the credit scenes, my ears perked up with the mention of Hercules earlier in the film.  In the mid-credit scene we saw Zeus alive and tell his son, Hercules, to go and rain vengeance on those who no longer respect the Gods. Whether that will be in a fifth Thor film, or another MCU film, I don't know.  But I was more surprised by the actor playing Hercules; Ted Lasso alumni Brett Goldstein.  He's not who I pictured would play the demi-god, and I've never seen the actor in anything except the Apple+ series.  But because of Roy Kent, and the fact that Marvel usually does a great job of casting, I'm willing to go on a little faith that Goldstein can play Marvel's Hercules.

The post-credit scene sees Jane in the Viking heaven of Valhalla. There, she is greeted by Idris Elba's Heimdall that explains she gets to live in Valhalla due to her heroic sacrifice. Now, in the comics, Jane dies as Mighty Thor saving the universe.  And as her reward, she is given a second life, as a Valkyrie.  I don't think that will happen.  I think much like how Harrison Ford was convinced to do The Force Awakens because he was promised a fitting end, this was Jane Foster's swan song. Portman was known to have wanted out of The Dark World when filming began. Which is why we haven't seen Portman in the MCU since.  I think Waititi wanted to do the Mighty Thor storyline, and convinced Portman to come back by giving her a gracious ending.  I'm not 100% on that theory, but I would be willing to bet $100 Portman is done in the MCU.

Thor: Love & Thunder dived deeper into the comedic zaniness we saw in Thor: Ragnorak. And to me that tone is fine for a group like Guardians of the Galaxy, but not Thor.  This is a romantic comedy that didn't seem that romantic or comedic to me.  The parts I did respond to most were the serious ones, but there weren't enough of them to make me give this film a thumbs up. However, I do want to see this film at least once more, because it is littered with easter eggs, including a statue of Utau the Watcher. The film ends with Thor and his new daughter (who is Hemsworth's daughter in real life), but by that point I just didn't care.  As the credits started to roll, I was jammin to the bitchin soundtrack, but I don't care if I see Thor the space jock in the MCU ever again.  But I'm sure we will, and I'll still give it a fair look, just like Lady Thor.

Sweet Child of Love and Thunder: A Thor Trailer

I enjoy Taika Waititi as a film maker.  I really like JoJo Rabbit and What We Do In The Shadows.  He brought that same style to Thor: Ragnorak.  And as a Thor movie, I didn't enjoy it much.  I thought it wasn't what Thor should be.  As a film I found it fun, but as a Thor film I thought it lacked gravitas.  Sure Thor's father, friends, and planet was destroyed.  But you never felt the weight of it because their were too many dumb jokes.  Please don't get me started on how fast the Warriors Three went down.   I was torn when Taika was going to be directing another Thor film. I was excited though when they said they were adapting The Mighty Thor.

I had never been a Thor reader, but when "Lady Thor" was released, I wanted to give it a fair shot before truly criticizing it.  What I discovered was a great title being written by Jason Aaron and I've kept up with Thor comics ever since.  The first trailer for Thor: Love and Thunder has arrived and it's everything I thought it would be.  Thor cracks jokes because Taika turned him pretty much into a stereotypical jock, he has a funny moment with Star-Lord, and a popular song was playing in the background. But we also got more than that.

When we left Thor in Avengers: Endgame he was having a crisis of faith, riding off with the Guardians of the Galaxy to try and find his true path.  From this trailer it looks like he's still on that journey.  He's getting back into shape using chains from something big and dead, and it looks like he refuses to follow the Guardians into battle. "My superheroing days are over," he says.  But who will be the God of Thunder?  Bring back Natalie Portman as Mighty Thor!  For those who don't know the comics, I kind of don't want to spoil it, but let's just say Jane Foster wielding Mjolnir is epic storytelling, and if Waititi can tap just a little of that into this film we could get some great drama.  

I was surprised Natalie Portman came back.  I thought she was done with franchise films after her experiences on Star Wars and Thor films.  The whole trailer I was watching with curiosity if they were going to show her, but of course they waited till the end.  I also can't wait to see her behind-the-scenes training videos.  She looks jacked!

The rest if the trailer brought up some questions with cameos.  Who is the blue haired lady Thor was kissing?  Is that Russell Crowe as Zeus?  And Valkryie looks so board in what appears to be some kind of diplomatic meeting.  Christian Bale does play the villain of this film as Gorr the God Butcher. My guess is Thor will find some kind of peace with Zeus, but it will be short lived when Gorr comes to butcher some Gods. As for Valkryie, I was watching Spider-Man: No Way Home the other day and noticed a news headline on a TV that said, "Political Turmoil Continues In New Asgard."  Maybe Valkryie isn't liking being the king?

From the trailer it feels like Star-Lord and the Guardians are going to be in more of this film that I thought, which is fine by me because Star-Lord is my favorite MCU character next to Steve Rogers.  It also appears Thor will be hanging out with Korg (voiced by Taika Waititi) a lot.  I just want another quotable line like "piss of ghosts!"  I'm going into this film with hope and optimism.  I like Waititi, I like Mighty Thor, and like Guardians of the Galaxy.  This trailer rocked, now let's see if the film rolls. 

 

My "The Force Awakens Prep Guide" Part I: The Film Saga

Next week is Force Friday.  For those of you who don't know it's the day when the toys and products for the upcoming Star Wars film, The Force Awakens, hits stores around the country.  Star Wars merchandise has been a huge part of the Star Wars franchise going all the way back to 1977.  When Revenge of the Sith was released I had to hold myself back from buying all the lightsabers and collectables I could.  I assume I will need that same will power come next week.

As The Force Awakens approaches I am becoming more and more excited for the film.  Growing up as both a Star Wars and comic book fan I've read quite a few Star Wars comics in my day.  I've also read quite a few Star Wars novels, played some video games, and tried almost anything baring the Star Wars logo.  I've even gone as far as re-editing the prequel films.  I've added deleted scenes from the DVD extras and deleted some scenes in Episodes I-III to make them more enjoyable for myself. 

To prepare for December 18th, I'll be spending the next three months re-reading some of my favorite Star Wars comic book story lines, re-watching some Clone Wars and Rebels episodes, and of course re-watching the entire Star Wars film saga.  

The other day a friend of mine asked what she could watch and read to help prepare her for Episode VII.  And she's not the only one.  So, I decided to do these blog entries as a way to give my advice on what comic books, novels, TV episodes, and anything else Star Wars that I enjoy, and others may like.  I'll give several suggestions and rate them on a scale from 1 to 5 as to what you should check out with a 1 being my most highly recommended.  Hope everyone enjoys this, and May the Force Be With You!

EPISODE I: THE PHANTOM MENACE (5)

In the "machete order" of watching Star Wars movies this film is actually not included, and for good reason.  It's my least favorite of the Star Wars saga and the one I only watch when I'm doing a marathon.  But, if you want to get kids started on Star Wars it's the one that is the most "kid friendly" with the goofy Jar Jar Binks, and the hero of the film being 10-year-old Anakin Skywalker.  When I edited this film I took out as much Jar Jar and Anakin as I could and ended up cutting 30 minutes out of the movie.

  EPISODE II:  ATTACK OF THE CLONES (4)

George Lucas called this film a love story, but he forgot to add the "love story" part of it.  All the DVD deleted scenes are expanding the relationship between Anakin and Padme.  So I added them back into the film as well as took out some parts I thought would make Anakin a little less creepy and annoying.  Say what you will about Hayden Christensen in this role, I think he played the part as best as he could with what little direction Lucas gave him.  My second least favorite Star Wars film, but I actually enjoy watching it when all the deleted scenes are added back in.

EPISODE III: REVENGE OF THE SITH (3)

I think we can all agree this is the best of the prequel films, and I think had this been the only prequel Star Wars movie released some fans would not have the disgust they seem to have for Episodes I-III. This is also the film I edited the least.  My big gripe is Natalie Portman getting totally shafted in this one. Padme is built up as such a strong character in the first two films, but all she does is cry over Anakin.  This sucks because there are several deleted scenes that include her helping start the Rebellion.  If you read How Star Wars Conquered The Universe (which I'll get to in another part) it's said that Portman and Lucas started having disagreements.  Maybe that's why she is barely in Episode III.

EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE (1)

The one that started it all!  My second favorite Star Wars film.  When Revenge of the Sith first came out on DVD I skipped all my college classes for a day and ended up spending 14 hours watching the entire saga.  By the time I got to this film I A) had a greater understanding of who Darth Vader was under the mask, and B) felt so bad for Obi-Wan and all the horrible things he had to live through.

EPISODE V: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1)

My favorite Star Wars film AND one of my Top 10 favorite movies ever.  When I was a kid I used to fake being sick just to skip school and watch this movie.  I hate what Lucas has done with all the Special Edition add-ins; from seeing the wampa, to Luke shrieking as he falls into the abyss because he'd rather die than join the Dark Side.  I own the Star Wars blu-ray set and I never watch it!  Because I prefer my prequel edits and the original versions of the original trilogy.

EPISODE VI: RETURN OF THE JEDI (1)

All those who said Luke was a whiney girl in the first two films, this one will shut you up!  Luke is the man with one of my favorite movie lines ever.  "Jabba, this is you last chance.  Free us or die."  What he basically is saying is, "I'm about to open a can of whoop ass on you."  This ends the originally trilogy and is the last we see of Luke, Han, and Leia in theaters until their return on December 18th in Episode VII: The Force Awakens that takes place 30 years after this film.

What if 'Revenge of the Sith' Was the Only Star Wars Prequel?

Last week's announcement of the Episode VII title has got fan boys a buzzing.  We're all wondering how "The Force Awakens" reveals possible plot points to J. J. Abrams upcoming film.  So many people want this film to be great so it will restore the Star Wars good name after the prequel films.  I don't think Episodes I-III were a good follow up the greatest film trilogy EVER, but I do think they have some redeeming qualities to them.  

Not so long ago a heard about an different order to watch the Star Wars saga that did not include The Phantom Menace.  A person would watch Episode VI and then Episode V.  Then that person would watch Episodes II and III to see how Anakin Skywalker became Darth Vader.  Then the viewer would finish with Episode VI. People say it doesn't spoil the "I am your father" reveal, but doesn't watching Revenge of the Sith before Return of the Jedi destroy the "Leia's my sister" reveal?

It sounded like a good order, but the other day I thought; why do we need Episode II as well?  Even those who curse the prequel films will agree that Episode III is the best of the three.  And it's what we all wanted to see; Anakin Skywalker become Darth Vader.  So what if the only prequel film we got was Revenge of the Sith?

Last night I went back and re-watched Episode III with fresh eyes.  I tried to forgot The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones existed to see if Revenge of the Sith was a film that could stand on it's own.  And in doing so the film actually seemed....better.  

It opens with the Ob-Wan and Anakin on one of their classic adventures.  They are off to save the Chancellor at the tail end of The Clone Wars. This highlights their skills and friendship.  We also see Anakin's relationship with Palpatine and Anakin battling his dark impulses.  Next, we learn Anakin is married secretly to a Senator and she is about to have their baby. As the film progresses we see appearances by Yoda, C-3PO, and Chewbacca.  Obi-Wan and Anakin battle to the death, thus resulting in the birth of Darth Vader and the rise of Emperor Palpatine.  Finally, Obi-Wan hands Luke off to Owen and Beru before going into hiding.  This is the gist of what everyone wanted to see in the prequels; right?

Now, you have to forgive some dialogue references such as "remember what you told me about your mother, and the sand people" as well as "Qui-Gon?"  And yes, some of the other dialogue in the film is best to be forgotten as well.  "She has lost the will to live"  is the worst line ever in a Star Wars movie.  But, the cheesy exchange between Anakin and Padme on her balcony lets us know these two new characters are deeply in love.  Also, no Episode I and II means no Jar Jar Binks, say a half-second shot.  And for that pleasant thought, you are welcome.

The performances of Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen shined as they started out friends at first and enemies in the end.  Yes, Christensen's performance I dare say was good when you look at just this one performance as everything we need to know about Anakin Skywalker.  The travesty in this viewing though is the same as when I first watched Episode III; Natalie Portman is nothing more than a supporting love interest.  However, we would not have had two films to see her be a strong character, so with just knowing Padme in one film isn't as insulting. We also didn't get Ian McDiarmid drawing out his Darth Sidious ruse to where, by the end of the trilogy, you're screaming at the screen, "Of course he's the Sith Lord you dumb ass!"

Blocking out the two other prequel films also made the fight sequences at the end much more enjoyable.  We see Yoda and Palpatine, two characters who were slow-moving in the original trilogy, really show off their powers as they go at it.  Meanwhile, the Obi-Wan vs Anakin fight sequence jumps off the screen.  They are so fast in their swashbuckling it would have been exciting to see it be the next lightsaber duel following Return of the Jedi.

Sure, after it was over I was curious how Obi-Wan and Anakin met, and how Anakin and Padme fell in love.  But after The Phantom Menace I was curious to know more about what the characters were like in their past, and some times not knowing is better.  Which is really what most say about the other prequel films anyway.

I think that if Revenge of the Sith was the only prequel film ever released Star Wars fans might not have felt as cheated.  I believe everything we wanted in a Star Wars prequel was in this one movie and we never needed the two before it.  So I challenge you to go back and watch Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith just as a single film and forget any other Star Wars prequels exist.  I think you'll like it better, from a certain point of view.