After Thor’s first two MCU solo movies left a lot to be desired,, with generic villains and cookie-cutter story structure, Taika Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok felt like a breath of fresh air. He recharacterized the God of Thunder as a comedy character, and also gave both Loki and Odin a comedic shot in the arm.
Waititi also introduced a couple of brilliant new characters to Thor’s roster of supporting players: Pegasus-riding cosmic warrior Valkyrie, played by Tessa Thompson, and mild-mannered rock monster Korg, played by Waititi himself. So, here are Valkyrie’s five best moments and Korg’s five best moments from Thor: Ragnarok.
Valkyrie: Falling Off Her Landing Platform
When Valkyrie is first introduced, she uses her cannons to scare off the scavengers that are trying to abduct Thor so she can take him to the Grandmaster. She steps out of her ship, takes a big swig from her drink (establishing her instantly as an alcoholic), and falls off the landing platform on her way down.
She lands in a pile of trash and accidentally gets her hand stuck in a rotting animal carcass. It was a pretty great way to introduce the character.
Korg: “Just A Little Rock-Paper-Scissor Joke For You.”
Korg is introduced in the perfect way. Thor is locked up, forced to fight as a gladiator, and he’s seemingly at his lowest point. And then, he meets a happy-go-lucky rock creature.
Korg's opening monologue goes: “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Korg. I’m kind of like the leader in here. I’m made of rocks, as you can see. But don’t let that intimidate you. You don’t need to be afraid unless you’re made of scissors. Just a little rock-paper-scissor joke for you.”
Valkyrie: Taking Down The Grandmaster’s Ships
When the Grandmaster’s fleet of ships is chasing Thor, Bruce Banner, and Valkyrie out of Sakaar, the latter proves her badassery by jumping from ship to ship.
She takes out the Grandmaster’s ships one by one, either tearing them down with her sword or singlehandedly moving the cannons around the fire elsewhere.
Korg: “I Tried To Start A Revolution...”
When Thor first meets Korg, Korg tells him that he tried to organize a revolution among the Grandmaster’s minions, but he screwed up by not advertising it enough.
He says, “I tried to start a revolution...but I didn’t print enough pamphlets, so hardly anyone turned up — except for my mum and her boyfriend, who I hate. As punishment, I was forced to be in here and become a gladiator. Bit of a promotional disaster, that one.”
Valkyrie: “It’s A Leisure Vessel.”
When Thor and Bruce Banner escape the Grandmaster on one of his ships, Valkyrie tells them it’s “a leisure vessel.” They’re unsure what a leisure vessel is, so she explains it to them: “The Grandmaster uses it for his good times: orgies and stuff.”
An incredulous Bruce asks, “Did she just say the Grandmaster uses it for orgies?” Thor quips, “Yeah. Don’t touch anything.”
Korg: Clean Your Weapons!
Korg is the self-appointed leader of the Grandmaster’s enslaved gladiators, so he’s sort of the office administrator. When he goes to find Thor a weapon for his first fight, he’s disappointed to find that no one’s been cleaning their weapons after they’re finished with them.
He picks up a weapon and says, “Yuck! There’s still someone’s hair and blood all over this.” Then, he tells the other gladiators, “Guys, can you clean up the weapons once you finish your fight? Disgusting slobs.”
Valkyrie: Riding Into Battle Against Hela
When Thor first mentions that Hela has taken over Asgard, we’re treated to a breathtaking flashback sequence in which Valkyrie and her fellow Valkyries ride into battle against the God of Thunder’s long-lost half-sister.
With super slow-motion, the effortless slaughter of most of the Valkyries, and cinematic lighting relying on moving shadows to reveal visual storytelling, this is an incredible set piece.
Korg: “P*** Off, Ghost!”
After a lengthy conversation between an imprisoned Thor and an intangible projection of Loki, Korg rushes over and kicks the area where Loki’s projection was.
Unsure of what the projection was, he simply cries out, “P*ss off, ghost!” As with most of Korg’s lines, Taika Waititi delivers this one perfectly.
Valkyrie: Taking On Hela With The Revengers
When Thor triumphantly returned to Asgard to take down Hela, he didn’t find it as easy as he expected. So, he has to assemble his makeshift superhero team, the Revengers.
With Valkyrie, Loki, and the Hulk at his side, the God of Thunder’s confidence in battling his evil half-sister returns. Although they need Surtur to fully destroy Asgard and kill Hela with it, the Revengers put up a heck of a fight before accepting defeat.
Korg: Thinking He’d Accidentally Killed Miek
Miek is Korg’s more softly spoken sidekick, an alien slug slumped over his shoulder. At the end of the movie, Korg fears he might’ve killed Miek by stepping on him.
However, he later discovers that Miek was just asleep and he’s fine. He lives to fight another day!