Movies & TV / Reviews
Thor: Ragnarok (Blu-ray Multi-Screen Edition) Review
Image Credit: Marvel Studios
Loading...The God of Thunder, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), returns, but his homeland is now under siege from the Goddess of Death, Hela (Cate Blanchett). Unfortunately, Thor has been vanquished to a faraway planet called Sakaar, and he’s running out of time to save his people. Thor: Ragnarok is very much a fitting end to the Thor trilogy.
The Movie: my initial review was overall very happy with this fun and engaging installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A dark chapter in Odin’s (Anthony Hopkins) history, Hela (Cate Blanchett), has come back for revenge. She quickly crushes Thor’s hammer. Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) are then banished to Sakaar, an alien world ruled by the despot the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum). There, Thor is forced to take part in gladiatorial games against the Grandmaster’s champion, who turns out to be the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo). Thor now has to fight his way off Sakaar and return to Asgard before Hela unleashes her dark power on the Nine Realms and prevent the coming of Ragnarok, the end of all things.
Thor: Ragnarok takes the Thor film series to new heights thanks to filmmaker Taika Waititi’s unique sense of humor. He infuses the film with a more New Zealand style and tone, but it also has a lot more colorful touches that make this feel like a Marvel comic book come to life. The world of Sakaar is like one, big giant homage to the artwork of Thor co-creator Jack Kirby.
Additionally, this is probably the best cinematic interpretation yet of the Hulk. Hulk is finally allowed to talk, and he has more of a personality of his own. Cate Blanchett is great as Hela, the Goddess of Death. However, a couple more scenes with Hela to reinforce her backstory could’ve really made her character sing and made her one of the all-time great MCU villains.
Of course, Waititi also steals the show in the cinematic debut of Korg. Interestingly enough, the plot of this film borrows many characters and elements from Planet Hulk and re-appropriates them for this story. Interestingly enough, it’s a strategy that works very well. And Waititi is fantastic as Korg. Based on Ragnarok, it would be a shame if this was the last live-action Thor movie for a while, when it seems the franchise has finally found its footing with Waititi’s direction.
Blu-Ray Info: The Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy multi-screen edition release for Ragnarok is a two-disc version: One disc is for the Blu-ray version; and the other is for the DVD version. It’s packaged in a standard Blu-ray clamshell case with translucent blue plastic. There’s a slip cover for the Blu-ray case. Besides the DVD copy of the film, there’s also an insert with a download code for the digital HD version of the film.
Video Info: The Blu-ray edition is pictured in 1080p High Definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.40:1. The Blu-ray transfer for the film looks bright and pristine. The transfer really does reinforce a world where the Marvel comics and characters have come to life in live action and look lush and vibrant.
Audio Info: The main Blu-ray audio track for the combo pack release is presented in 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. There is also an optional English 2.0 Descriptive Audio track for those with sight issues. Additionally, optional French and Spanish language tracks in 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound are included, as well as optional English, French and Spanish subtitles. The soundtrack and mix are all sound great on Blu-ray. The sound editing and music are all very well sharp and layered.
Special Features: The Multi-Screen Edition release for Thor: Ragnarok features a nice helping of extras for the Blu-ray disc. There’s a nice variety of content that fans of the film and the Marvel Cinematic Universe will enjoy. As with some other recent releases, there’s a feeling that they could’ve provided a little bit more, but there’s enough to make this edition worth buying.
Audio Commentary: Viewers will be treated to a director’s commentary track by filmmaker and co-star, Taika Waititi. Waititi provides a track that is lively, fun and at times irreverent. Overall, it’s a fun and engaging commentary track. Waititi plays his commentary style very fast, loose and humorous. The trade-off there is that while he is delivering a lot of jokes through the commentary track it never really comes off as dry.
Deleted Scenes: In total there are about 5 minutes and 43 seconds worth of deleted scenes. Some of them are more or less extensions, such as when Thor first meets the Grandmaster, and an extended scene of Thor and Hulk arguing. There is a bit more of Thor’s initial escape from the Grandmaster’s tower, and he’s chased by the Hulk through Sakaar. And there’s a scene where Skurge notices Heimdall helping Asgardian civilians escape. Honestly, there’s nothing here that’s all that mind-blowing. It’s disappointing that the alternate version of Thor and Loki finding Odin in New York City isn’t included. So, it seems there is additional footage that could’ve been included here, but it probably won’t make an appearance until the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 3 box set. The deleted scenes can be viewed individually or all together with the “Play All” feature.
Featurettes: There are several shorter behind-the-scenes featurettes in the special features that can be viewed on their own or all together with the “Play All” feature that cover the making of the film. There’s a new look at how Thor’s character has evolved across the films and Taika Waititi’s influence on the project in Getting In Touch With Your Inner Thor. The Unstoppable Women featurette showcases the new strong female characters of Ragnarok with Hela and Valkyrie. Finding Korg covers Waititi taking the role of Korg, who is a definite scene-stealer. Sakaar: On the Edge of the Known and Unknown, covers the main setting of the film in Sakaar and bringing that setting to life. Finally, Journey Into Mystery covers the way the film incorporated Jack Kirby’s artwork and style throughout the film, which can clearly be seen in the production design and the costumes. The way the film incorporated Kirby’s unique style is very impressive.
Team Darryl: Thor’s old roommate, Darryl, is back for a new short. Now, Darryl has moved back to the United States, and he had to find a new roommate. That new roommate is the Grandmaster, and Jeff Goldblum reprises his role. It’s very much in the style and humor of the previous Darryl shorts. It’s done in that improvised, mockumentary style. It’s a fun little bit of amusing comedy.
Marvel Studios: The First Ten Years: Sums up the main heroes features throughout the first three phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and how they’ve changed across the last 10 years before Infinity War. This feature runs five minutes and 23 seconds.
Gag Reel: Finally, there’s a short, two-minute gag reel. You know the gist of these at this point.
