Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

If you're looking for epic action mixed with goofy comedy, Taika Waititi's addition to the MCU is a one-stop shop.

Directed by: Taika Waititi

Cinematography by: Javier Aguirresarobe

Country: United States

Genre: Fantasy/Action/Adventure/Comedy

New Zealand director Taika Waititi - also known for What We Do in the Shadows (2014) and Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) - is up there with Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead [2004]; Scott Pilgrim vs. the World [2010]; Baby Driver [2017]) and duo Phil Lord & Chris Miller (21 Jump Street [2012]; The Lego Movie [2014]; Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse [2018]) as the most joyously fun filmmakers working today.

Waititi created one of Marvel’s goofiest and most colorful spectacles with Thor: Ragnarok, alleviating the darker storylines and much of the seriousness that comes from the Avengers and Captain America films. He took what apparently was a wealth of untapped comedic potential from the angel-pirate himself, Chris Hemsworth, and showed that Hemsworth may be the funniest actor working in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The action scenes in this film are fresh and spectacularly vivid, and as you can see from this photoset, I think cinematographer Javier Aguirresaraobe may have perfected the camera-behind-the-character wide-shot. It’s also incredible to me how well Marvel has learned to balance these cosmically epic films with such personal empathy and humanity in its characters.

Waititi’s direction shines throughout the film (he also voices the gladiator rock-alien Korg) just as much as the hilarious performances and breathtaking special effects, and I hope this leads to Marvel - and Hollywood in general - handing him the reigns again in the future. His talent should not be wasted.

Distributed by: Disney