The first reactions came to Taika Waititi’s long-awaited “Thor: Love and Thunder,” which had its world premiere on June 23 in Hollywood. Expectations for the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are high considering Waititi’s latest comic book release, “Thor: Ragnarok”, is widely considered to be one of Marvel’s best films.
According to journalists and critics on social media, these expectations were met. Film critic Simon Thompson wrote, “#ThorLoveAndThunder is a vivid, vibrant blast that delivers. Hemsworth’s Thor remains a jewel in Marvel’s crown. Bale’s Gorr is a killer bogeyman that mixes the eccentric and the terrifying. Portman’s Foster and Thompson’s Valkyrie are a top-notch duo. Crowe’s Zeus is the *chef’s kiss.”
#ThorLoveAndThunder it’s a vivid, vibrant explosion it delivers. Hemsworth’s Thor remains a jewel in Marvel’s crown. Bale’s Gorr is a killer bogeyman that mixes the eccentric and the terrifying. Portman’s Foster and Thompson’s Valkyrie are a top-notch duo. Crowe’s Zeus is *the chef’s kiss* pic.twitter.com/PDb5SZRWOo
— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) June 24, 2022
Internal correspondent Kirsten Acuna agreed and specifically praised Christian Bale’s performance as Gorr, writing that he’s “phenomenal menacing” and “one of the scariest Marvel villains we’ve ever seen on screen.”
Christian Bale is phenomenally menacing as #ThorLoveandThunderGorr’s villain, the Butcher of God. One of the scariest Marvel villains we’ve ever seen on screen. It gave me some Dark Knight Ledger Joker vibes at one point. pic.twitter.com/zsg9SNXfqY
– Kirsten (@KirstenAcuna) June 24, 2022
Critic Courtney Howard praised Taika Waititi’s direction, saying it delivers “a subversive and irreverent show” with “great story, stakes and character building”.
#ThorLoveAndThunder has an Appetite For Destruction & laughs. It’s totally radical! Taika Waititi delivers a subversive and irreverent show. Great story, stakes and character building. Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman, superb.Russell Crowe and Christian Bale slip easily into the world pic.twitter.com/W7PUUXIfM5
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) June 24, 2022
Some were more critical of the film, such as senior Bro Bible writer Eric Italiano, who generally liked “Love and Thunder” but said the plot “feeled flat and pegless.”
#ThorLoveAndThunder It’s the funniest movie in the MCU. The jokes are excellent, as is the cast delivering them.
Christian Bale is obviously also terrifying as #hat
BUT, the plot felt flat and without stakes. not sure if this is a #Thor problem or a MCU-without-a-big-bad problem. pic.twitter.com/G6XP9EyL0Y
– Eric Italiano (@ericitaIiano) June 24, 2022
Set after the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” the latest “Thor” sequel finds Chris Hemsworth’s superhero teaming up with Korg (voiced by Waititi), Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) to stop Gorr the God Butcher. Bale) to eliminate all gods. Portman’s return to the MCU generated the biggest buzz for “Thor: Love and Thunder” ahead of its release. Portman was left out of “Ragnarok” and appears in the new film as Mighty Thor, who also finds her wielding the mystical hammer Mjolnir.
“On ‘Black Swan,’ I was asked to stay as small as possible,” Portman said recently. Variety for a cover story. “Here, I was asked to stay as big as possible. This is an incredible challenge – and also a state of mind as a woman.”
“I saw her play the scientist character in ‘Thor’ 1 and 2, and it felt pointless to do it again,” added Waititi about bringing Portman back as a superhero. “This character just seems like a love interest. She is a Terran woman who runs around being deadly and not very consequential.”
“Thor: Love and Thunder” opens in theaters nationwide on July 8. Check out more first reactions in the posts below.
Another classic Thor adventure! #ThorLoveAndThunder It’s everything I wanted it to be. Big, colorful and weird battles powered by Guns N’ Roses with a hopelessly romantic story about finding love in unexpected places. Christian Bale and Russell Crowe are especially great. And Korg! pic.twitter.com/fu0gTUuMRj
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) June 24, 2022
I saw #ThorLoveAndThunder. It might not match Ragnarok’s visuals or bombastic comedy, but Taika Waititi makes up for it with an emotionally mature Marvel movie. It’s also pretty funny (Natalie has jokes) and features one of the most impressive visual sequences in MCU history.
— Jake (@jacobkleinman) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder it’s a lot more episodic than I would have suspected. It makes you laugh a lot. Very standard, cookie-cutter villain with Christian Bale. I want the crime comedy with Natalie Portman and Tessa Thompson. Matt Damon must go to Broadway. The post credits are EPIC! Pure fun. pic.twitter.com/2J5UQuHHSA
— Clayton Davis – Keep it 🇺🇦 (@ByClaytonDavis) June 24, 2022