There’s a jolly tone in “Thor: Ragnarok” that reminds you of how entertaining and very funny “Guardians of the Galaxy” was. It’s nice to have a Sci-Fi franchise get a sense of humor every once in a while; and it manages to balance the depth of the characters and narrative without bouncing all over the room.

As the film begins, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the God of Thunder, worries about the extinction of his home world Asgard, and finds out his adoptive brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is still alive, and has misplaced Odin (Anthony Hopkins). Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) transports them to Norway, where their father awaits. He tell them that Thor has a sister named Hela (Cate Blanchett), the Goddess of Death, who has come out of vanishment, and declares to raise Hell over Asgard.

The minute they meet, she destroys Thor’s hammer, and ends him and Loki in a different dimension. Among the new people Thor comes face-to-face with in this world is the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum), who gives Thor a chance for his freedom. He must battle his best champ-the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). He’s happy to see him, but “Hulk Smash!”

And another is the Grandmaster’s drinking bounty hunter (Tessa Thompson), a legendary Valkyrie, who refuses to face Hela again, but ends up joining Thor, Hulk, and Loki to stop her. This team will be known as “The Revengers,” because they all want revenge.

“Thor: Ragnarok” manages to change its tone, and yet, allows us to care about the characters. That’s what we admired about “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Even if some gags are predictable, you’re still tickled. You also take the premise seriously, as the hero processes the sister he never knew he had, and yet, still listen to Odin’s wisdom.

Let’s face it, Loki is considered by us to be a frenemy, Hulk doesn’t always have to be a monster, Blanchett and Goldblum are fun villains, and I really like Thor’s new haircut. And Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” matches the opening and final battles very well.

The movie is just so damn funny, I can’t wait to see Thor meet the Guardians of the Galaxy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Categories: Action, Adventure, comedy, Fantasy, Sci Fi, Sequel