Thor: Love and Thunder

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Thor: Love and Thunder!

Original image located here. Accessed 5th August 2022

Another stab at the current phase of the MCU (for those keeping score it's the fourth one). I have been watching the current phase throughout these past couple of months and I will admit that whilst they have been enjoyable there is a distinct lack of direction. Which is concerning in that the MCU has pretty much defined itself by having everything planned out and adhering to a long-term plan.
In addition, assessing a MCU entrant presents quite the challenge as previous efforts have been so spectacular. That does make for a tough benchmark to follow making anything that happens to fall short look like a red-headed stepchild. Or something.

So what of Thor: Love and Thunder? Well it can't be denied that it's following the same template as it's predecessor. Ragnarok may have done a dramatic shift for the character and rejuvenated him in what many people never thought possible so in a way, such a shift would be tricky to follow. So It looks that they decided to stick with what worked before.
And you know what? It worked.
It may be adhering to a formula that worked previously but that's not really detrimental to the movie. There is bombast, there is creativity, there are tonnes of laughs, there is inventiveness, there is a genuinely compelling villain and some very interesting developments for Odinsson and the Asgardians. Also Russell Crowe stealing the show as Zeus.
Is it a misfire? I don't think so.
Guess there is value in sticking with what works

The Hunt For the Wilderpeople

And this week's Friday night movie has been... The Hunt For the Wilderpeople!

Original image located here. Accessed 3rd April 2020

I've had many people recommend me this movie so here we are: The little New Zealand movie that could.

So what this is really is a chase movie: Two protagonists on the run from the law and bonding as they do so. So what makes this one different? Well, the chemistry from the two leads, the fact that this chase takes place across bushland and an all-too quirky sense of humour that only the Kiwis can provide. Some beautiful shots of New Zealand scenery at it's best doesn't hurt either.
I thought I knew what to expect from Taika Waititi following Thor Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit but apparently not. And that's a good thing

Jojo Rabbit

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Jojo Rabbit!

Original image located here. Accessed 7th February 2020

Okay seriously I want to know what pitch was used to green-light this movie. I guess Taika Waititi had built enough credit through the success of Thor Ragnarok that he is allowed to do whatever he wants - truly the ultimate goal of any filmmaker.

I should point out that my preferred brand of comedy is 'pitch black' and there is certainly a lot of it on display here. But scratch that surface and the true intent of the movie is revealed: It has a lot to say about hate and being brainwashed into it.
But at the end of the day, this movie is funny, bizarre, horrific and honest all at the same time. A tricky balancing act to be sure but, in a way, it succeeds.

One point of concern however - or for me at least - is that Waititi may have pinched my idea: In 2018 I worked on manuscript about a guy with an imaginary friend - one who is leading the guy down a wrong path and is ultimately overcome. Now it would seem this movie has prompted a rethink on my part...

Thor Ragnarok

And this week's Friday night movie has been.....Thor Ragnarok!

Original image located here. Accessed 3rd November 2017

It's better than Dark World.

Ok seriously. I may not be the first to think that after Dark World flopped but I was curious to see if Marvel could learn from their missteps. in addition, the success of Wonder Woman also raises the issue to see if Marvel will step up their game.

Personally, i really enjoyed this movie. It has been noted that Thor is always upstaged by Loki in HIS OWN MOVIE but here, Thor finally comes into his own. But still, i have to admit Cate Blanchett steals the show.
So yeah, this was a lot of fun and definite a contender for a top tier posie in the MCU hierarchy. In fact, in my next RPG, I'm definitely using the line "Point me in the direction of whose arse I have to kick!"

Thor: The Dark World

And this weeks Friday night movie has been....Thor the Dark World!

Original image located here. Accessed 8th July 2016

So why did I fall behind with the MCU? Well, I saw this list online of how to watch the entire MCU (that being the movies, TV series and the rest) in chronological order. I made it my goal to watch this in order but then there was the wait to get everything. Sure that may seem a bizarre reason considering this digital age in which we live in has made everything readily available but I've always maintained that things are better off discovered in your own time.

As for the movie, I do agree with the consensus that this is indeed one of, if not the, weakest link in the MCU chain. Sure it looks fantastic but everything moves at such a hurried pace that one gets the feeling there's a sizable chunk of the movie missing and what we're seeing is two thirds of a complete movie. I did like the first movie a lot but this sequel seems a let down by comparison.
And then there's Thor himself: he's the star of his own movie but he still ends up being upstaged by Loki.