PIC of the Week – Thor: Ragnarok
Article series by Ray Schillaci
Once again, what a week for home entertainment releases! We have the Oscar nominated Lady Bird with a poignant mother/daughter relationship that speaks volumes to most viewers (men and women alike). Also, Oscar nominated Best Animated film, The Breadwinner, a powerful and beautiful story about an 11 year-old girl growing up under the Taliban in Afghanistan. Woody Allen’s critically praised Wonder Wheel and the delightful The Man Who Invented Christmas that gives us the tale of Charles Dickens writing A Christmas Carol and his creation of the infamous Scrooge. But, with the glut of good releases, PIC has to go to the most entertaining film of 2017, Marvel’s Thor:Ragnarok.
Just the color schemes alone in this presentation is worth a 4K Ultra HD buy. Now, in the pantheon of Marvel movie madness, this is also the movie closest to capturing the full flavor of the Marvel comic books. Yes, it is not deep like the 2018 mega-hit Black Panther, but the laughs and action are so fast and furious that you’ll feel like you just watched a 90 minute Marvel free-for-all when it’s actually just over two hours. This is not to say that it will appeal to everyone. It won’t. Superhero haters and those that prefer light comedies or adult dramas, and some senior citizens may not appreciate this Marvel outing.
The film opens with Thor captured and bound in chains by a fire demon. Thor casually brings us up to speed as to his search for the Infinity Stones. Once he goes through one of many epic battles, he arrives back on Asgard only to find the Nine Realms in chaos thanks to his brother Loki. Eventually, he and Loki find themselves in the presence of Hela, Odin’s first and possibly deadliest child.
She wreaks havoc on Asgard as foretold as Thor is tossed onto the garbage planet Sakaar only to become a gladiator where he meets…want to guess? Let’s just say these two giants battle it out much to the delight of the bloodthirsty crowd. Once again, Thor’s return to Asgard to battle Hela is epic in every way possible highlighted with the wonderful rock score by Led Zeppelin.
For those that do appreciate a good superhero movie or you Marvel maniacs out there, this is for you. The only drawback, if you have not caught up with most of Marvel’s storylines with its continuous series of films, you can miss out on some great inside humor, and may be stumped as to why certain characters pop up. To the delight of many of us, the inclusion of Dr. Strange, Loki (Thor’s brother), and the Incredible Hulk makes for so many opportunities for laughs and epic action sequences that Marvel, director Taika Waititi (What We Do in the Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople) and his team of writers take full advantage. And, they do it with a wonderful light touch.
Apparently, someone either at Disney or Marvel suggested it was time to switch the tone a little bit with this Marvel movie, make it less dire than Civil War and closer to the oddball shoot-from-the-hip humor of Guardians of the Galaxy. It works, and makes Thor all the more appealing than ever before. Not that he was not appealing before. I must confess, as one that use to read Marvel comics, I found Thor a bit stuffy, and was not keen on Iron Man or The Hulk as characters for films. But Marvel Studios and the talent behind them changed all that. Sadly, my favorites, The Fantastic Four and Silver Surfer never had a chance to really show their worth along with the villain, Galactus.
Chris Hemsworth taps into his humorous side and plays well with all involved. Jeff Goldblum is the most bizarre version of himself and it only adds to all the fun. And, if you ever needed a reason to own a 4K player and TV as one that enjoys the fantastic brought to life on screen, then there is the knock-down drag-out fight between Thor and The Hulk that is pure magic.
Okay, I’ve geeked out enough. There are several home entertainment versions of one of Marvel’s very best. Marvel has made the film available with or without bonus content on Prime (Amazon). For those that are old school, a DVD is available. There is also a Blu-ray/DVD/Digital download combo pack. And, there is the much preferred 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray/Digital download combo pack. But, there is a real cool packaging option with Best Buy… a steel book with new artwork 4K/Blu/Digital. For you Marvel Maniacs that may well be a collector’s item.
Extras include:
¥ A very funny audio commentary by director Taika Waititi
¥ An intro by the director
¥ Finding Korg – Waititi delivers a humorous take on his creative choices, the creation of the Korg character, voicing him, and those that praise him behind the camera
¥ Sakaar: On the Edge of the Known and Unknown – a discussion on the planet and how it relates to the film’s story
¥ Getting in Touch with Your Inner Thor – Hemsworth chats about how his character has evolved since first film
¥ Unstoppable Women: Hela & Valkyrie – an in-depth look into Cate Blanchett and Tessa Thompson’s performances
¥ Gag reel
And so much more!
Best Price: Steel Book 4K Ultra HD/Blu/Digital – Best Buy $34.99 or Blu/DVD/Digital – $22.99 or Amazon – 4K/Blu/Digital – $24.99 or Prime (Amazon Video) – anywhere from $5.99 to $19.99 (depending on rental or purchase – theatrical or with bonus content)
