IN Thor: Ragnarok, the hammer comes down as usual, but the humour goes up in a whole new way for a Marvel superhero movie.
It is definitely no classic, but an appreciably looser, livelier approach will reinvigorate those beginning to tire of the standard Marvel formula.
This is the third big-screen solo outing for Thor, and the big burly bearded bloke has never been in better form.
While he is still required to smash stuff up, this time he is also looking to crack you up.
The first thing you notice about Thor: Ragnarok is while it supplies the kind of sprawling action spectacle Marvel is renowned for, it is also a sly, dry comedy packed with deadpan punchlines and absurd sight gags.
The good-natured goofiness to the fore here is definitely the handiwork of New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi, fresh off his 2016 global sleeper hit Hunt for the Wilderpeople.
When Waititi and an openly enthusiastic cast led by Australian duo Chris Hemsworth as Thor, and Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett as his evil older sister Hela get the laughs going on a roll, the movies charm is irresistible.
In spite of Thors longstanding association with The Avengers, this lighter, brighter vibe leaves Ragnarok often feeling like a Guardians of the Galaxy spin-off.
So what does the word Ragnarok mean exactly? Well, it is the realisation of an ancient prophesy forecasting the complete obliteration of Thors beloved home realm of Asgard.
For the bulk of the film, there is precious little the titular hero can do about this bleak situation.
Not only has the villainous Hela taken control of Asgard. In her self-propelled ascension to the throne, Hela has maliciously, yet matter-of-factly smashed Thors mighty hammer Mjolnir to bits.
That takes some doing, no matter how sinister or super-powered you happen to be. Clearly, Hela fond of referring to herself as the goddess of death is a force of evil to be reckoned with.
(She is no fashionista, however. Hela likes to slink around in a open-shouldered, flexi-Kevlar catsuit under a whopping pair of shiny rubber antlers. Far from giving off a she-who-must-be-feared vibe, it leaves Hela looking like the chief dominatrix at an S&M club for reindeer.)
Meanwhile, Thor is being held captive on the far-flung planet of Sakaar by a freaky fight impresario known as The Grandmaster. (Jeff Goldblum).
A twitchy blend of traditional entrepreneur and rebel dictator, The Grandmaster is promoting a stadium slugfest that will pit Thor against his old Avengers pal The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo).
Despite the huge disparity in mismatched weight divisions between the two opponents, the smackdown turns out to be quite an even contest (and a great chance for Thor to show off his new haircut ... thats right: Thors lustrous locks are no more, ladies!)
Thors only chance of wriggling free from this tight bind is to get on the good side of the fiery bounty hunter Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), and somehow form a reliable alliance with his devious brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston).
The revolving-door integration of fan fave Loki throughout Thor: Ragnarok is very well deployed by Waititi.
Tom Hiddleston and Chris Hemsworth share a particular and potent comic connection that makes even the simplest scene of the pair conversing come alive. Both actors havent been this switched-on and ready for anything on screen for a few years now.
(Hey Hollywood! Give these guys a buddy-cop movie. Theyve got the right kind of double-act to pull it off.)
It will be interesting to see how fans of the Thor franchise respond to the new character of Valkyrie. She has been given a lot of screen time here, possibly in response to the smash-hit success of Wonder Woman earlier this year.
Tessa Thompson (best known for her breakout performance in the boxing drama Creed) has the combative presence and overall attitude to fill the role she is certainly a far better actor than Gal Gadot, thats for sure yet Thor: Ragnarok seems unsure of how to make best use of her talents.
It doesnt exactly help that Valkyries defining personal trait is being drunk as often as possible. After a while, it gets kind of creepy to see a near-poisonous level of alcohol abuse passed off as normal. Not a good look for any impressionable youngsters who might be watching.
This is the one real misstep of a movie that otherwise walks the walk in assured fashion.
There is a fair whack of story for Thor: Ragnarok to work through, and there are sections of the movie where it doesnt quite strike the right balance between its mythical obligations and mirthful intentions.
In other words, there are times where the movie must behave like a Marvel movie should. Links must be established or maintained to other stars twinkling elsewhere in the studios Cinematic Universe (which, for example, explains the brief visit from Benedict Cumberbatchs Doctor Strange.)
After each item of Marvel business is seen to, Ragnarok can take a breather and be a wittily self-deprecating (and very funny) Taika Waititi movie again.
Overall, there is a fresh energy and endearingly laid-back sense of style at work in Thor: Ragnarok that will hopefully turn the page to a whole new chapter in the Marvel playbook.
THOR: RAGNAROK (M)
Rating: three and a half stars (3.5 out of 5)
