'Thor: Love and Thunder' doesn't rekindle the spark that 'Ragnarok' ignited
CNN
The impressive mix of tones and styles that director Taika Waititi pulled off in "Thor: Ragnarok" largely fizzles in "Thor: Love and Thunder," which isn't as funny as it wants to be, as stirring as it needs to be or romantic as it ought to be. Although well paced at just under two hours, instead of the hoped-for fireworks this comes a little too close to feeling like a post-Fourth of July dud.
Marvel's enviable track record of creative as well as commercial darlings dating back to "Iron Man" has begun looking less invincible, with the mythic "Eternals" and some of its lesser Disney+ efforts (see "Knight, Moon") exhibiting signs of vulnerability.
While reuniting Waititi and star Chris Hemsworth sounded like a can't-miss proposition and should provoke considerable enthusiasm, the latest exercise feels too enamored with the actor's comedic chops and related tomfoolery, while lacking the striking sort of villain that helped elevate "Ragnarok" when things got serious.
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