In Writer and Director Taika Waititi’s Thor: Love and Thunder on a distant drought-stricken desert planet, Christian Bale plays Gorr, who buries his young daughter, played by Thor star Chris Hemsworth’s daughter India. Gorr suffered the loss of his family when the gods failed to answer his prayers. He says, “This is my vow: All gods will die.” The powerful Necrosword (the god killer) chooses Gorr. He kills his first of many gods. Meanwhile, on Earth, physicist Dr. Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman (from Thor and Thor: Dark World), undergoes chemotherapy for stage 4 cancer. Jane’s dying. She was the great love of demigod Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth.
Taika Waititi deftly balances the tragedy of Thor: Love and Thunder in its whimsical sense of humor and unexpected poignancy. Love and Thunder is Taika’s sequel to his irreverent Thor: Ragnarok (2017). Taika’s alter ego, the big-hearted giant rock creature Korg also narrates Thor: Love and Thunder.
Thor: Ragnarok reinvented the Thor series as hysterical comedy: Making Thor accessible and funny. Love and Thunder is more ambitious in its contrasting narrative tones. Love and Thunder initially continues the adventures of Thor and the Guardians of the Galaxy with leader Peter Quill, played by charming, charismatic Chris Pratt. Although this is a narrative bridge from Avengers: Endgame (2019), the Guardians storyline is virtually unnecessary. However, Peter reminds Thor that he “feels shitty” because he lost the love of his life, Jane. Also, Korg hilariously mistakes Thor’s ex-girlfriend for “Jodie Foster.”
Thor: Love and Thunder is as hilarious as Ragnarok, which says a lot. I loved Love and Thunder for its poignant love stories. Love and Thunder is sublime, because of Christian Bale and Chris Hemsworth. Christian looks so alien: pale-skinned and gaunt. He portrays Gorr’s vengeance and anger not as villainy; but rather as the profound sadness of a man, who grieves the death of his family, those he loved. Christian embodies imperfect humanity in Gorr. Handsome Chris Hemsworth is 230 pounds of chiseled muscle. Yet, more powerful are his comedic sense and vulnerability. As Thor, he confesses to Jane, “I’ve always loved you.” In Love and Thunder’s eloquent narrative arc Thor tearfully tells Gorr, “You seek love… That’s what we all want.” There’s much love in Love and Thunder, because of Chris and Christian.
Also bridging the Avengers: Endgame narrative, the Asgardians relocated to Earth following the destruction of their Asgard home world. Thor forsook being King of New Asgard, bestowing that upon brave warrior Valkyrie, played by smart, strong Tessa Thompson. This New Asgard is a tourist attraction, a kind of Norse Disneyland.
Terminally ill Jane desperately searches for her cancer cure. She researches Norse mythology, aware of her ex Thor’s great prowess. Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, which was shattered in Ragnarok, resides in New Asgard. Mjolnir calls to Jane because she’s worthy to wield it. She’s the Chosen One, who becomes the Mighty Thor. Academy Award Winner Natalie Portman has wistful gravitas as the Mighty Thor and Jane. Natalie’s yoked with her ripped biceps from intense training for the movie. Natalie and Chris Hemsworth have inspired partnership in Love and Thunder’s whimsical romantic comedy.
Gorr kidnaps the children of New Asgard to draw Thor in. Thor’s powerful ax Stormbreaker holds the key to the super being Eternity. Eternity has the power to grant Gorr’s wish, his vow. Taika Waititi and Jennifer Kaytin Robinson’s screenplay capriciously veers as Thor and his crew travel to Omnipotent City, home of the gods, to ask the god Zeus, played by hysterical Russell Crowe, for an army to defeat Gorr. Zeus possesses his own thunderbolt, as well.
Although not perfectly, Taika masterfully resolves the contrasting narratives of Thor: Love and Thunder. Love and Thunder touch in its genuine poignancy. I smiled as Jane’s Mighty Thor whispers her “new catchphrase” into Thor’s ear. I cried when Gorr extends his hand out to Thor, saying, “Protect her.” Thor: Love and Thunder will make you laugh and make you cry. As Natalie’s Jane says, “Keep your heart open…” Thor: Love And Thunder is something special. Just saying.
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Photo credit: Shutterstock, modified