The real hero’s journey is filled with stumbling blocks, obstacles and course changes. The demigod of Asgard is no exception. For the fourth time he returns to be the solo protagonist of a film and confirms a bizarre and surreal evolution.
The tone of Thor: Love and Thunder (with the two scenes after the credits!) more and more resembles the carefree de Guardians of the galaxy (it is no coincidence that Starlord and associates appear again this time) than to the discipline of Captain America.
The new chapter, in cinemas from 6 July, fits perfectly into the tradition of the Avengers summer that has been accompanying the public on vacation for several years now. Sometimes even in a physical way, as in the case of Disneyland Paris, which on 20 July inaugurates a themed area, Avengers Campusan immersive experience that shapes the heroes of tomorrow.
Eleven years ago Chris Hemsworth first wore armor and hammer in theaters, but at the time he had a Shakespearean mold, worthy of its director, Kenneth Branagh. With the passage of time, however, thanks to the touch of Taika Waititi (JoJo Rabbit) the trajectory of Thor leaves the psychological dramas to embrace self-irony and lightness.
In fact, during his adventures on the big screen, the Australian giant gave the character many sides of himself, with a tangible touch of lightheartedness.
Thor has been through a lot and at the beginning of the film he seems to take it in a Zen way, far from the battlefield and immersed in a newfound spirituality. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t last long.
This time, however, there is a circle that closes and concerns his sentimental sphere: ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) returns to the scene in an unexpected and dramatic way. And she, surprisingly, she seems destined to wield and lead Thor’s famous weapon, the Mjolnir, amid the general shock. This transforms her into Mighty Thor and it almost seems to see us double: the two, together again, but for the first time really side by side in war, find themselves facing demons of the past and fears of the present.
In addition, of course, to a new supervillain, Gorr (Christian Bale). He is called the “Slaughterer of Gods” for a very good reason: after a family trauma he decides to eliminate the divinities one by one, all guilty – according to him – of deceiving mortal creatures with false hopes.
To hinder his rise, a team is needed and therefore the two former sweethearts are joined by King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and Korg (Taika Waititi).
In the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) we are now ready for anything and, from film to film, the bar for action is raised. This film is absolutely no exception, quite the contrary. What is surprising, therefore, is not the epic nature of the battles or the arsenal of weapons deployed in the field, when the human aspect that is borrowed from comics to the big screen. The personal and intimate stories of drama and frailty continue to engage and, of course, to have tickets come off at the box office. In this period of pandemic limbo, in fact, theaters need saving and Thor and co. they are perfect for the mission.
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