Opened: July 8, 2022

Directed by: Taika Waititi

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, Tessa Thompson, Jaimie Alexander, Taika Waititi, Russell Crowe, Chris Pratt, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Sean Gunn, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Matt Damon, Sam Neill, Luke Hemsworth, Melissa McCarthy, Ben Falcone, Kat Dennings, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Simon Russell Beale, Jonathan Brugh & Brett Goldstein

Despite fantastic performances from Natalie Portman and Tessa Thompson, director Taika Waititi’s unique comedy style shines through too much and makes Thor: Love and Thunder more of a joke than a straightforward Marvel film.

While Thor (Chris Hemsworth) looks for inner peace, Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale) begins a quest to eliminate all gods. Thor is shocked as his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Portman) reappears in a fight with his hammer Mjolnir.

Though humor served Thor: Ragnarok well, Waititi took it a step further (or too far) in this film. From screaming goats to sensitive moments immediately being ruined with a joke, there’s no time to get emotionally invested in this entry because of its constant need to make you laugh instead. In doing so, the comedy gets old quickly.

Final say: Not much love. ★★★☆☆