By Shelbie Webb, Year 11
On the 7th of July 2022, Marvel fans across the globe began flooding cinema lobbies for the release of Thor: Love and Thunder. After being delayed for over half a year, it was obvious the anticipation would be high. But was the film truly worth the agonising wait?
One of the most well-liked and well-known Gods in the world is Thor. You've heard of him — from Norse mythology to a daring world-saver in Marvel Studios. In 2011, when the first Thor movie debuted on the big screen, the character Thor Odinson made his MCU break-through. Since then, the fanbase has come to love and appreciate the character more. The last film dedicated to the sole adventures of Thor was Thor: Ragnarok in 2019, so obviously a new film was in high demand.
Three years later, Thor: Love and Thunder was released. The plot follows the events of Avengers: Endgame, where Thor leaves Earth to inevitably join the Guardians of the Galaxy. The film introduces the audience to a colourful, un-seen planet, where we are reintroduced to the Guardians; Peter Quill, Drax, Mantis, Groot, Rocket, and Thor. Yes, it is great to see the original characters getting the recognition they have lost over the years, but what really excites the audience is the introduction of a new villain.
Who, you may ask? Love and Thunder introduces the character Gorr, a grief-driven villain struggling with himself after his religion failed him, resulting in the tragic loss of his daughter. Revenge stricken, Gorr makes an oath to hunt down and kill all Gods and Goddesses in memory of his daughter. The villain being filled with guilt and grief is a common theme throughout both the Marvel Comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with the majority using this weakness to fuel their revenge. Take Ivan Vanko from Iron Man 2, for example, who suffered tremendous grief from the loss of his father. But do you think this recurring theme is a good thing? Watch it for yourself and let us know your conclusion...