*Spoilers ahead*
Thor: Love and Thunder was released into theaters on July 8. Oddly enough, despite its trailers appearing to be every Thor fans deepest wishes and the return of other audience favorites such as King Valkyrie, Jane Foster and Korg, this movie has been a flop from the critics. Scoring a 68% on Rotten Tomatoes and ranking the second worst drop for second week box office revenue at a drop of 67.8%. These statistics, while heartbreaking for a longtime Thor fan, are heartbreaking. But not surprising, this movie is chalked full of humor, randomness, and character development that we haven’t quite seen in any other film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
In my previous article “The Importance of the Female Superhero,” I discussed the need for more diverse and interesting women. Well, Jane Foster certainly delivered. In Thor: Love and Thunder, we see Jane Foster return in her most daring and courageous appearance to date. Six months after her stage four cancer diagnosis, she heads to Asgard. It is there that she finds the scraps of Mjölnir and becomes the “Mighty Thor”. While Jane's character development was phenomenal, it certainly wasn’t surprising. But the necessity of her presence to the plot was monumental. After “eight years, seven months and six days,” Thor and Jane finally reunite. The events that follow are absolutely insane and out of this world. But what else would you expect from a space viking?
Thor Odinson (God of Thunder), post-retirement from the Avengers and the events of Avengers: End Game, had returned to his previous reckless and careless ways. After the death of his father and brother, and countless of his friends he took to a journey of self discovery aboard The Benetar. But realizes after parting ways with the Guardians of the Galaxy that he is searching for love. One thing this movie did well was hide who stores love truly until the end. Up until the final moments of the movie, you were convinced that Jane is the love that Thor is looking for. But as the movie progresses we meet a character dubbed “love” and while not much makes sense, Thor becoming “Uncle Thor” certainly wasn’t in my predictions.
This film gave one of the most human and real Marvel movie villains. Gorr the God Butcher was an upset father betrayed by the very God he prayed to after watching the death of his child and his people. Gorr comes into possession of the Necrosword and begins his plot for revenge against all the gods.
The humor of this movie is standard for the current Phase Four Marvel movies. From a running gag with a group of screaming goats to a pack of children using a teddy bear, sticks, and other sharp objects as weapons, this movie was nonstop with humor. Even in the darkest moments of the movie, it seems film makers wanted to make this movie an all out emotional rollercoaster.
In the mid credit scenes, it is revealed that Greek God Zeus survived the lightning strike to his chest and his son Hercules may be making an appearance to do his bidding later on.
This movie wasn’t the best of all of Marvel’s releases, but it was supplemental to the continuance of the MCU. In the post-credit scenes post-Jane’s death, we finally get a glimpse of Valhalla (Norse warrior heaven). While Jane Foster is confirmed dead, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end of her story.
Overall, I’d rate this film a 6/10 on a scale of “wait until it’s out of theaters” to “must see.” It’s a movie with incredible highs and meaningful lows.
By Rachel Van Horne, Associate Editor