Detailed Summary
Thor’s Imprisonment and Escape
The film opens with Thor (Chris Hemsworth) imprisoned by the fire demon Surtur, who reveals that Odin (Anthony Hopkins) is no longer on Asgard, and that the realm will soon be destroyed during the prophesied Ragnarok. Thor defeats Surtur and takes his crown, believing he has prevented Ragnarok.
Odin’s Passing and Hela’s Return
Thor returns to Asgard to find Loki (Tom Hiddleston) posing as Odin. With help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Thor and Loki find the real Odin in Norway. Odin explains that he is dying, and with his death, his firstborn, Hela (Cate Blanchett), the goddess of death, will be released from her prison. Odin dies, and Hela immediately appears, defeating Thor and Loki and shattering Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir.
Arrival on Sakaar
Thor and Loki are thrown out of the Bifrost and end up on the planet Sakaar, ruled by the eccentric Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum). A bounty hunter named Scrapper 142 (Tessa Thompson) captures Thor. She reveals herself to be a former Valkyrie.
The Contest of Champions
Thor fights in the Grandmaster’s gladiatorial games and discovers his opponent is the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). After a fierce battle, Thor convinces Hulk, who has been stuck in his transformed state since Avengers: Age of Ultron, to help him escape.
Forming a Team
Thor, Hulk, Valkyrie, and Loki form a team to return to Asgard and stop Hela. They call themselves the “Revengers” and manage to escape Sakaar through a series of daring adventures.
Battle for Asgard
Back on Asgard, Hela has taken control and revived her army of the dead. Thor and his team engage in an epic battle against Hela’s forces. During the fight, Thor realizes that Ragnarok must occur to defeat Hela. He sends Loki to place Surtur’s crown in the Eternal Flame, resurrecting the fire demon who destroys Asgard, killing Hela in the process.
The Exodus
As Asgard falls, Thor, the new king, leads the surviving Asgardians on a spaceship to find a new home.
⇢ VIRAL RIGHT NOW
Movie Ending
The film ends with Thor leading the Asgardians on their journey to Earth. In a mid-credits scene, their ship is intercepted by a much larger spaceship, hinting at future conflicts. In the post-credits scene, the Grandmaster attempts to placate an angry mob, declaring their rebellion a tie.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
Yes, there are two post-credits scenes:
- Mid-Credits: Thor and the Asgardian survivors’ ship encounters a massive spacecraft, setting up Avengers: Infinity War.
- Post-Credits: The Grandmaster tries to declare the revolution on Sakaar a draw.
Type of Movie
“Thor: Ragnarok” is a superhero film with elements of action, comedy, and adventure. It is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
Cast
- Chris Hemsworth as Thor
- Tom Hiddleston as Loki
- Cate Blanchett as Hela
- Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner / Hulk
- Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie
- Jeff Goldblum as Grandmaster
- Idris Elba as Heimdall
- Karl Urban as Skurge
- Anthony Hopkins as Odin
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange
Film Music and Composer
Mark Mothersbaugh composed the film’s score, blending traditional orchestral elements with synth-heavy electronic music. This combination reflects the film’s vibrant and eclectic tone.
Filming Locations
- Australia: Principal photography took place in various locations, including Brisbane and the Village Roadshow Studios in Oxenford.
- Norway: Scenes showing Odin’s final moments take place in beautiful Norwegian landscapes, adding a mythical and majestic quality to the setting.
These locations contributed to the film’s unique and visually striking aesthetic.
⇢ KEEP UP WITH THE TREND
Awards and Nominations
- Saturn Awards: Won Best Comic-to-Film Motion Picture.
- Visual Effects Society Awards: Nominated for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature.
- Critics’ Choice Movie Awards: Nominated for Best Action Movie.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Director Taika Waititi injected a significant amount of humor and improvisation into the film, making it the funniest entry in the Thor series.
- Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston enjoyed the lighter tone, which allowed them to explore different facets of their characters.
- Cate Blanchett underwent extensive training to portray Hela convincingly, mastering her character’s combat style.
Inspirations and References
- “Planet Hulk” Comic Series: The storyline where Hulk is a gladiator on Sakaar is heavily inspired by this comic arc.
- Norse Mythology: The character of Hela and the concept of Ragnarok are derived from Norse mythology, albeit with significant creative liberties.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
The film includes several deleted scenes with additional character moments and comedic bits. However, no major alternate endings are known.
Book Adaptations and Differences
- The film is loosely based on the “Ragnarok” storyline from Marvel Comics, with significant alterations to fit the MCU narrative.
- The inclusion of “Planet Hulk” elements was an inventive way to integrate the Hulk into Thor’s story.
⇢ MOST SHARED RIGHT NOW
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Thor vs. Hulk: The gladiatorial battle between Thor and Hulk is both thrilling and humorous.
- Destruction of Mjolnir: Hela shatters Thor’s hammer, marking a significant turning point.
- Ragnarok: The climactic destruction of Asgard by Surtur to defeat Hela.
Iconic Quotes
- “I know what you’re thinking: ‘Oh no! Thor’s in a cage. How did this happen?’” – Thor
- “I’m not a queen, or a monster… I’m the Goddess of Death!” – Hela
- “We know each other! He’s a friend from work!” – Thor, about Hulk
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Beta Ray Bill: His face appears as a statue on the Grandmaster’s tower, a nod to the character from the comics.
- Jack Kirby Influence: The film’s vibrant, colorful design is heavily influenced by Jack Kirby’s artwork.
- Doctor Strange Cameo: Ties directly to the post-credits scene of “Doctor Strange.”
Trivia
- Taika Waititi played the role of Korg, providing both voice and motion capture.
- Chris Hemsworth cut his hair for the role, signifying a new direction for Thor.
- The film’s comedic tone was a deliberate shift from the darker previous Thor movies.
Why Watch?
“Thor: Ragnarok” is a refreshing and entertaining entry in the MCU, blending action, humor, and a compelling story. It revitalizes the Thor franchise with its vibrant visuals, memorable characters, and a standout performance from Chris Hemsworth.
Director’s Other Movies
Recommended Films for Fans
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Doctor Strange (2016)
- Ant-Man (2015)
- Black Panther (2018)