Ah, Marvel movies. There’s nothing quite like them. Not only has this media monolith of a company proven that they excel at making comic books, but movies too. That being said, their titles have become more than just cinematic works of action and wonder, they’ve become a standard for comic book movies. Typically, their schedule goes that a new movie is released in May, July, and November. Their May release is usually reserved for their huge titles like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 or the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War Part I. The July release normally gives us movies with characters new to the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) like Spiderman: Homecoming and Ant Man. The November release can sometimes be a bit of a mixed bag, as apparent from both last year where we got the phenomenal (phenomenally trippy) Doctor Strange, and this year where we got the third installation in the Thor series of movies, Thor: Ragnarok.

This entry in the MCU has so far been synonymous with its claim as the best rated Marvel movie to date, sporting more of a comedic atmosphere rather than the usual action-packed and suspenseful feeling they give off. This movie not only accepts how ridiculous the circumstances are, but it revels in it and runs with it, pulling off some jokes I’d never expect to see/hear in a Marvel movie. Regardless, the movie follows the story from the comics where Thor returns to Asgard to find out that (obvious spoiler alert) Loki is still alive. One brief Doctor Strange cameo later, and the brothers finally meet up with their father, Odin. Odin dies and is replaced in Asgard as ruler by Thor’s sister, and Odin’s first-born, Hela, the goddess of death. Thor and Loki promptly end up in another realm after attempting to stop her from reaching Asgard. Thor is then picked up by a woman and sold to someone known as the Grandmaster, who (all Overwatch jokes that could be made aside,) is the undisputed leader of this realm, and runs an arena where contenders sold to him and/or “recruited” would fight, often to the death. Of course, Loki works his charm on the Grandmaster, and ensures immunity from being entered into the fight, but the same couldn’t be said for Thor. After that, he quickly is introduced to the Grandmaster’s champion fighter who just so happens to be a familiar face, Hulk.

That being said, it’s now all a matter of time before Thor can get Hulk to change back to Bruce Banner, round up Loki, and get back to Asgard to stop Hela. Not only does the film prove to be a really good Marvel movie, but it somewhat pulls off a decent buddy-cop flick. My only gripes are that while I enjoyed the humor posed, it was done a bit too often. However, I don’t think I would have accepted it as well if it was any other character. Really, the only other series under Marvel’s belt that has shown that it can be a good action movie and a comedy is Guardians of the Galaxy, it’s just the fact that the tongue and cheek humor is aware of how ridiculous the set-up is.

All in all, despite its ridiculous nature, the film manages to also be arguably the most comedic entry in the series. I like the direction, but personally, it doesn’t fit the nature of Marvel movies as well as the previous movies. Does that make it a bad entry? Not at all. In fact, this was the highest rated Marvel movie to date. That being said, I don’t think other movies in the MCU adapting this style would really work as well as this one. I’d definetly recommend it if you haven’t already seen it. Plus, both of the credits scenes are rather solid, one as a teaser for Infinity War and the other just a comedic post-credits scene for laughs.