Thor: Ragnarok Blu-ray Review

By: Lynn Barker

In Thor: Ragnarok, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is still looking for infinity stones when he gets news of impending complete destruction of his home world Asgard. While a prisoner on trash planet Sakaar, Thor is forced to do gladiator-style battle with his old pal Hulk (Mark Ruffalo)! Oh no! Bro Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is alive and they have an older sister Hela, Goddess of Death (Cate Blanchett) who will be released from her lifelong prison with plans to rule far more than the nine realms. She will bring the predicted Ragnarok, the planet-wide destruction of myth. Family complications from hell!

Thor and Hulk have a heart-to-heart talkCourtesy of Marvel

Preventing Ragnarok?

Two years after the Battle of Sokovia, Thor is still searching for Infinity Stones but he is imprisoned by the ginormous fire demon Surtur, who reveals that Thor's father Odin is no longer on Asgard, and that the planet will soon be wrecked in Ragnarok, a long-expected myth of massive destruction once Surtur unites his crown with the Eternal Flame that burns beneath the city. Thor escapes, battles Surtur and wins, taking the huge crown and thinking this will prevent Ragnarok.

Thor and Hulk battle it outCourtesy of Marvel

Family Secrets

On Asgard, Thor finds adopted bro Loki alive and shapeshifting as Odin. With help from Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) on Earth , Thor and Loki find Odin in Norway. He’s dying and his passing will release their older sis Hela Goddess of Death from a prison Odin placed her in years ago when she wanted even more after the two of them ruthlessly conquered Nine Realms. Hela arrives in Asgard, destroys the army there, appoints Skurge (Keith Urban) her executioner and searches for Heimdall (Idris Elba) who has taken the Bifrost bridge sword. She plans to travel through the bridge to conquer even more realms. Heimdall is hiding with the remainder of Asgard’s citizens. A battle with Thor results in Hela destroying his hammer!

Hela captures Thor's precious hammer!Courtesy of Marvel

Trash World

Thor and Loki get caught in a worm hole and Thor crash-lands on the garbage planet Sakaar, where he is captured by bounty hunter Scrapper 142 (Tessa Thompson) whom he later recognizes as an Asgardian Valkyrie, a warrior who defended Asgard from Hela long ago. Thor is forced to compete in the Grandmaster's (Jeff Goldblum) Contest of Champions against his old buddy the Hulk. Afterwards, Thor tries to convince Hulk and Valkyrie to help him save Asgard. Loki is also on the planet but has buddied up with the Grandmaster. Thor and Hulk escape on Tony Stark’s Quinjet which Hulk crashed here two years before. A voice recording of his beloved Natasha Romanoff makes Hulk turn back into Bruce Banner for the first time in two years!

Grand Master (Jeff Goldblum) with Rachel House and Tessa ThompsonCourtesy of Marvel

Ragnarok!

Valkyrie decides to help Thor, taking Loki captive. Loki helps the group steal one of the Grandmaster's ships. They then free the other gladiators who, led by rock being Korg and buddy Miek, start a revolt. Loki again betrays his brother and Thor leaves him behind where he is found by the gladiators. Thor, Banner, and Valkyrie escape through a wormhole to Asgard, where Hela's forces are attacking Heimdall and Asgard's citizens. Will Hela succeed in destroying Asgard? Will Loki return to help Thor or again betray him? Can Thor actually defeat Hela without his hammer? What will become of the last citizens of Asgard?

Hulk, Thor, Valkyrie and Loki on the bridgeCourtesy of Marvel

Special Extra Features

Director Intro (under the “Play” menu option)  Features Director Taika Waititi talking why he got into moviemaking and what influenced this movie and more. He’s as funny as the movie.

Five Featurettes

• Getting in Touch with Your Inner Thor features filmmakers talking about bringing Thor to the screen and developing the character. Chris Hemsworth still loves playing Thor after seven years. Other actors comment on working with him, “He’s as cute as Christmas” says Jeff Goldblum. The Director discusses making this film way more humorous than others where Thor appeared. Fun extra!
• Unstoppable Women: Hela and Valkyrie focuses on actresses Cate Blanchett and Tessa Thompson discussing their characters, their inner conflicts and training for their fight scenes. Cool!
• Finding Korg features funny director Taika Waititi on how to pronounce his name and his decision to don a motion capture suit to play prisoner rock creature Korg. “How can I be taken seriously as a director wearing this?” Cute!

Korg played by Director Taika WaitikiCourtesy of Marvel

• Sakaar: On the Edge of the Known and Unknown- gives us the deets on the colorful garbage planet; costumes, sets, etc. Jeff Goldblum’s take on his crazy character the Grand Master and info on the Thor vs Hulk battle are included with Mark Ruffalo talking about Hulk. Tom Hiddleston meets some fans. Another fun extra.
• Journey into Mystery – tells us the comic book history of the epic battle between Avengers Thor and Hulk. Enjoyable, especially for comic book fans.
• Team Darryl – With Thor out of the picture, Darryl takes on The Grand Master as his new roomie. Silly but fun. The original “Team Darryl” short went viral. 
• Gag Reel – Always a hoot. This one is fun with the cast making silly noises, Cate actually punching Chris and Grand Master Jeff wiggling his ears.

Hela in full costumeCourtesy of Marvel

• Deleted and Extended Scenes – Four of them featuring more Grand Master, more of Hulk and Thor arguing, Skurge spotting Heimdall carrying the Bifrost sword and more action in on Sakaar with Hulk and Thor.  Worth a watch.
• Marvel Studios: The First Ten Years is an interesting, short doc covering from 2008’s Iron Man through the upcoming Infinity War.. A nice recap.
• 8-Bit Sequences are crudely-animated storyboards for Sakaar Spaceship Battle and Final Bridge Battle.
• Audio Commentary by Director Taika Waititi is both hilarious and informative. This one is a must-listen. He’s funny, witty and gives you some insider info. Very cool!

Chris Hemsworth on set with director and Tessa ThompsonCourtesy of Marvel

Wrapping Up

Thor: Ragnarok is a wildly funny film with great action and some true family drama. It’s certainly one of the most entertaining Marvel films. Cate Blanchett is especially effective as a damaged yet powerful Goddess of Death and banter between “Banner” and Thor is well worth the buy on this set. This Blu-ray/DVD/Digital set offers some really fun extras as well as looking and sounding crisp. The film changes things in a big way for Thor as well as he battles without his hammer and famous long blonde locks. We can go four stars.

Thor: Ragnarok Blu-ray Rating: 

Thor: Ragnarok Blu-rayCourtesy of Marvel

Get Thor: Ragnarok on home entertainment now!

Have Your Say

Have you been looking forward to taking this film home to add to your collection? Are you a big Chris Hemsworth or Tom Hiddleston fan? Do you like the idea of a really funny Thor? Or, are you simply not into the Marvel Universe? Comment below!