Thor: Ragnarok – A Cosmic Comedy with Planet Hulk Vibes

⚡️ Introduction

This review is part of the MCU Watch Order – explore all Marvel movies and shows in order!

Thor: Ragnarok isn’t just another sequel – it’s a complete reinvention of the God of Thunder’s franchise. Director Taika Waititi brings his signature humor and bold visual style to the MCU, transforming what could have been another grim Norse saga into one of the most fun and rewatchable Marvel films to date.

As a huge fan of the Planet Hulk comic arc, I was excited to see its influence here – even if it’s more spiritual than direct. What we get is a cosmic buddy-comedy full of wild designs, hilarious beats, and a surprising amount of heart.

🌍 Story & Characters

The film kicks off with Thor learning that Ragnarok – the destruction of Asgard – is imminent. After a brief (and funny) brush with Surtur and a magical detour to Earth with Doctor Strange, Thor finds himself stranded on the garbage planet Sakaar. There, he’s forced to fight as a gladiator in an arena run by the eccentric Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum, perfectly weird).

And who’s his surprise opponent? None other than Hulk, who’s been MIA since Avengers: Age of Ultron. Their reunion is chaotic, hilarious, and heartfelt – leading to a journey of reluctant team-ups, family revelations, and heroic sacrifices.

Key performances:

• Chris Hemsworth finally gets to unleash his full comedic talent.
• Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk is more expressive and conflicted than ever.
• Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie is a show-stealer: powerful, sarcastic, and layered.
• Cate Blanchett’s Hela is visually striking and threatening – even if slightly underused.

🪐 Visuals, Direction & Humor

Everything about Ragnarok is turned up to 11:

• The color palette is neon and bold.
• The action is fast, stylized, and kinetic.
• The comedy hits more often than not, delivering real belly laughs.
• The music (including that epic Immigrant Song sequence) is pure energy.

Waititi’s fingerprints are all over this film – from the quirky dialogue to the visual gags (Korg and Miek!), and the emotional beats that sneak up on you.

It’s the moment when Marvel said: “We don’t have to take ourselves so seriously.” And it works.

👨‍👧‍👦 Our Experience & Recommendation

Watching this together as a father-daughter duo was a blast. She was cracking up at Hulk's toddler tantrums, I was soaking in the Planet Hulk references and bold creative swings. It’s rare to find a superhero film that’s both genuinely funny and emotionally satisfying, but Ragnarok pulls it off.

Sure, it’s not a one-to-one adaptation of the Planet Hulk arc – but the core energy, the arena battles, and the deeper questions of identity and destiny still shine through.

This one’s a top-tier MCU rewatcher.

📌 FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions