Life Through the Lens: Is a heart made for sparing or sharing?
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"I hope one day you can feel this sh***y."
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Introducing Thor: big, blond, thundery god. He can win them over with him charm … or just pulverize them with his magical ax forged from a star. You know, either way works.
Although his muscles have muscles, although his power rivals all rivals, he still has a heart. A beating, fragile and vulnerable heart. It cannot be protected behind pyrotechnics and sarcasm. Eventually, there will come a choice...
In one universe, let's meet Thor the Heart-Guarded. He is convinced that the only way to spare a heart is to protect it from ever being broken. The walls go up and BOY do they go up strong; there is no penetrating this fortress! In order to get to his heart, Thor has created a 25-step process that no man or woman dare ever attempt. It is locked, shielded, covered, wrapped, vaulted, coated … there is probably some bubble-wrap being implemented, as well. Thor can rest assured that his heart is unattainable and, therefore, unbreakable.
As life ticks by, people come and go. Friends? Sure. Love? Naaaa. Too dangerous. Thor maintains his steadfast desire to remain whole -- to stay unbroken. When love comes sneaking around, it is met with guns blazing and walls raising.
Once the steroids wear off and the smirk becomes a grimace, when life has left him old and gray, Thor will now cradle that vanishing heart. It will be complete yet calloused -- it will be unbroken yet unused. It will hold the form of health, but, upon closer inspection, it will be found empty. Of what use is a heart unemployed?
In another universe, let's meet Thor the Emotionally Exposed. He is convinced that the only way to use a heart is to offer it. Don't be fooled: the doors are secured by some huge Vegas-style bouncers … but they are open. Not for all but for those invited in. Instead of letting fear board up those doors, Thor allows love to reach his innermost room. It is exciting -- it is terrifying -- it is electric!
As life ticks by, people come and go. Most are only that: fleeting. A small number are much more, though -- they are trusted completely and depended on often. Even when heartbreak comes knocking, Thor maintains his steadfast desire to remain accessible.
Like it does to all, love tends to fade. Whether through difficulty, distance or death, love is often fixed and finite. For every person let through the door, another leaves. Thor, at the end of his story, when life has left him old and gray, will now cradle that vanishing heart. It will be incomplete yet infallible -- it will be broken yet beautiful. It will show the wear and tear of a life spent in battle, but, upon closer inspection, it will be found full. The heart is designed to love and lose -- it is designed to retain then release -- it is made to be broken but put back together.
'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. – Tennyson
The film opens with an unknown character in a fight for his life and, more importantly, the life of his daughter. Gorr (Christian Bale) has watched as his people have been spent and slaughtered, all in the name of their god Rapu. As the last remnant of his faith, he persists. Even after feeling the last drops of life drawn from his daughter, he persists. In one final plea for mercy, Rapu answers and calls his servant to him.
Gorr enters the garden of the god, Rapu, and beholds his adoration in the flesh. Finally, Gorr has met his maker! Gorr pours his heart and thanks and desperation out to Rapu and is met with only laughter and mockery. Turns out, Rapu is nothing short of petty and prideful - he's a stinkin' jerk! With all that he loved wasted, with all that he lived for lost, Gorr calls upon an ancient evil, the Necrosword. This sword has the power to remove life even from the gods, but it overwhelms and kills whoever wields it. Gorr's barrenness discounts the eventual threat. His new goal, stated as he beheads his once-treasured Rapu, is simple: All gods must die because all gods are a lie.
Meanwhile, in a galaxy far away, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is on an adventure with the Guardians of the Galaxy. It is almost like he is a member of their team … almost. But not quite. He is looking for something they cannot or will not give to him. After a victory on the battlefield, it becomes apparent to Thor that this group will never be his own. He must travel on his own to find his own place in this universe.
A distress call from an Asgardian gives Thor just that: purpose! There is word that Gorr the reported "god-killer" is on his way to New Asgard (on planet Earth) to seek and destroy. Away Thor goes!
Back on earth, Dr. Jane Foster (from, like, nine years ago) is secretly fighting her own invisible killer: cancer. Foster's (Natalie Portman) determination and pride have led her to keep the entire battle from everyone. Now nearing the end of her fight, she begins to feel a pull. A pull toward Thor's former magic hammer, Mjolnir. A pull that just might save her life.
Now back on Earth, Thor finds New Asgard under siege: dark, shadowy villains appear everywhere and terrorize his people. He sees many familiar comrades on the battlefield … and one new one? "Hey, that looks like Jane (from nine years ago) … but super buff … and in my clothes?!" Before he knows it, he has dropped straight into Gorr's trap. Gorr is one with the shadows, almost impossible to defeat. In the blink of an eye, Gorr has stolen all New Asgard's children and taken them to the Shadow Realm, his home turf.
The eradication of all gods would remove every idle idol, every sluggish spirit, every indifferent deity. Inaction will be the end of all -- Thor will either stop Gorr or die trying!
On Nov. 25, 2017, I gave Thor: Ragnarok an A+. I loved it! It was fresh, exciting and hilarious! It was exactly what Marvel Studios needed: a daring and unique voice to interrupt all the static.
Needless to say, I was hyped for this new installment. It became quickly evident, though, that this movie was merely average. Gone is the magic -- remaining is the mediocre.
Director/writer Taika Waititi is one of my favorites, but he seems to be forcing this one. His normally fluid and effortless comedy is rote and artificial. Don't get me wrong, there are some moments of genuine laughter (the relationship drama between Thor and his weapons), but I found myself metaphorically yawning at most of the attempts. Waititi, along with co-writer Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, struggled to find their pocket, instead settling for the cheap and the overused.
One flaw not present in Ragnarok is the element of romance; the relationship between Thor and Jane this time is stale and strained. I didn't feel a connection as much as a plot device.
Chris Hemsworth does OK, but his comedy seems shortcutted this time. Poor Natalie Portman, again forced to inhabit this boring character. Taika Waititi as Korg is disappointing, having been so funny in Ragnarok; his parts are forgettable this time around. Russel Crowe as Zeus is hilarious and unexpected.
The real savior of the film is Christian Bale. His performance is immediate, urgent, and frightening. His opening scene is among the best things in the entire Marvel Universe! If only there was more of Gorr. Chant with me everyone: MORE OF GORR! MORE OF GORR!
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REPORT CARD: "Thor: Love and Thunder."
Grade: C.
Comment: Some laughs, some thrills, loads of filler