With the next Thor movie to hit theaters in late 2022 and a new trailer to discuss, fans are excited to revisit the slightly cynical but often jovial post-Endgame Asgardian. Based on trailers and cast news, there will be plenty of recurring characters in the franchise, including Jane Porter, Valkyrie, Korg, Lady Sif, and the Guardians of the Galaxy team!In his fourth title film, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) goes against Christian Bale’s “Gorr the God Butcher.” Given the antagonist’s name, there’s sure to be mischief, bravado, near-death, and fantastic action scenes in Thor: Love and Thunder. Before its release, fans should rewatch the previous films in its trilogy.Updated on September 15th by Quinn Levandoski: Though Thor may not have started out as the most popular member of the Avengers, he's now the only one to have four solo movies. Thor: Love and Thunder has once again seen Thor, Korg, Valkyrie, and others engage in a unique hybrid of 80s rock, intergalactic sci-fi, and slapstick comedy. The movie also saw the return of Natalie Portman's Jane Foster, who was given closure after disappearing from Thor's past few appearances. However, the fourth Thor film was also the most divisive, with some fans feeling that the humor felt more forced than in Ragnarok, and that Gorr's role was too far reduced to do him justice. Whether fans love or hate the movie, the franchise continues to inspire spot-on Thor memes.
The Chosen One
All his life, Thor knew he would inherit the throne; however, Loki always felt he lived in his older brother’s shadow. Always, he seemed so desperate to gain equality in his father’s eyes. But, time after time, Odin never gave him what he so craved.
Ironically, all of Loki’s pining for his father’s love is turned into loathing when he discovers he is not Asgardian blood. Sure, it’s a bit cruel to jest at the second son’s insecurities, but it’s not off-limits either.
Thor’s Arc
Even though his heart is good, Thor’s reckless vanity is destructive. Honor defines Thor; when he is deemed no longer worthy to wield Mjölnir and is sent packing from Asgard, he embarks on a hero’s journey on Earth to learn humility and genuine respect for a king’s duties.
This meme exemplifies the young God’s spoiled, pompous, and boisterous nature before Odin banished him. Predictably, but enjoyably, the prodigal son returns home a hero with his crown and worthiness restored.
Mjölnir
When he’s sent to Earth, Thor’s memories remain in Asgard. The one thing he knows for sure is that Thor craves his hammer. However, Odin strips his honor; he loses the ability to summon Mjölnir. Yet, Thor attempts to call for it. At first, to those who find him, Thor seems so worryingly crazy that even the hospital staff must sedate him.
A fan-favorite moment in every Thor film is when the titular character sticks out his palm and must stand there waiting as Mjölnir disrupts everything in its past to join its master. This meme reminds ordinary people that this pose belongs only to Thor.
A Controversial Villain
It’s perfectly acceptable to love Thor: The Dark World; however, it isn’t a stand-out movie by Marvel’s standards among most fans. Thor didn’t escape reproval. Some fans felt that his character fell flat. Ironically, Loki shined in Thor 2.
The primary critique against the sequel is the villain’s sappy backstory and weak motives. A clever Tumblr user quipped, “[The Dark Elf is] a strong independent villain who don’t need no deeper reasoning!” The movie’s acting, effects, and character development were the main redeeming factors in this underrated MCU movie.
The Minions
The henchmen in Dark World aren’t as formidable since fans liken them to the Teletubbies – oddly endearing vibrant creatures in a children’s show. It’s pretty humorous that fans believe the colorful astronaut-like species would look like the dark elves’ minions if they were evil.]
The lackeys look like a B-rated horror film’s army with creepy hockey masks. Although no fan would want to run into them in real life, it’s difficult to feel threatened when associating the dark elves with the clumsy little TV aliens.
Loki’s Death
As the God of Mischief, Loki is always ready to pull one over on unsuspecting victims, especially when it’s his brother. Even fans have learned to be skeptical of Loki’s tricks.
One of Loki’s most used pranks is “dying” whenever he lands in physical danger. Unfortunately, too often, that occurs when Thor is in his vicinity. In Dark World, it was the villain who briefly fell for Loki’s antics! However, every time Loki dies, fans are wary of trusting his plight.
“Get Help”
The bond between Thor and Loki has always been a little tenuous, but the brothers shared rambunctious traits in their youth. Thor: Ragnorak showed Thor’s goofier, more relaxed side missing in his previous movie.
Fans loved that the two used one of their childhood schemes to escape the Grandmaster’s guards. This moment was a favorite scene in Thor’s revival film. Despite his mighty powers and cool weapons, slinging Loki into his enemies like a bowling ball is unfailingly hilarious!
Thor’s Father
After the events of Ragnorak, fans learned that Odin wasn’t the fantastic father his favorite son believed him to be. Since Thor 3 exposed his marauding history with his firstborn Hela.
Upon his passing, Odin warned his sons that the power jailing his bloodthirsty daughter was quickly dying; they would have to settle the sins he started. Although he hardly would have won “Father of the Year,” Odin eventually became a very quotable and good king.
Glass Window
Thor has gone toe-to-toe against many foes in his years, but even the God of Thunder isn’t immune to weakness – namely Loki’s “demise” ploys and, as one keen fan observed, glass barricades.
In each of his title films, Thor slams into a windowpane. It’s humbling to know that even the lovable muscle man isn’t indestructible. That’s 4-1 Glass vs. Thor for those keeping score! Fans can only hope this funny trend continues in Thor Love and Thunder!
The Trilogy
The Thor movies are like house hunting, some may think. Thor 1 was nice, but it’s merely an average home: a bit plain but sufficient; however, it leaves fans eager to continue looking. Thor 2, was a bit more small and dark than some were hoping for. That’s just how an eclectic exterior sometimes hits since people have different tastes in design.
Sometimes there’s a stroke of luck, and the dream mansion finally appears! Thor 3 is nearly everything fans want in an MCU film and is noticeably more colorful than the first two movies.
The MCU Has Overcome Its Villain Problem
In the early days of the MCU, many fans were disappointed that every villain was either a mirror image of the hero, didn't accomplish anything of significance, or was unceremoniously killed off. Fortunately, Thor: Love and Thunder continues the MCU's recent trends of creating more compelling villains.
However, that isn't to say that Gorr was perfect. While there are certainly plenty of great villains with little screen time, many viewers agree that the movie could have used a few more scenes to establish Gorr as a threat. Regardless, he was perfectly acted, wonderfully designed, and actually got a chance to have an interesting, non-cliche ending.
Korg Overstayed His Welcome
There's no doubt that Korg was a fan-favorite, breakout character in Ragnarok, but many feel as though he overstayed his welcome in Love and Thunder. Simply put, the comical sidekick just didn't have anything meaningful to contribute to the plot and was relegated to an extra body in most of his scenes.
However, that changed when Zeus seemingly killed Korg in Omnipotence City. It appeared as if the character's death would server as a somber motivator for Thor to take action into his own hands, but it was immediately undercut by the strange revelation that Korg survived as nothing but a face.
The Thor Movies Are Getting More Divisive
The first three movies in the Thor trilogy instigated some dissenting opinions, but the masses largely agreed on their quality: Thor was interesting if not a bit slow, Thor: The Dark World suffered from a weak villain and Thor: Ragnarok was a welcome revitalization for the character. However, opinions are much more divided with Love and Thunder.
Fans seem to either love it or detest it, with few middling opinions to fill the middle. People on both sides don't quite get what the other side likes or dislikes so much, and all are equally passionate about their opinions.
Poor Stormbreaker
Between Ragnarok, two Avengers movies, and Love and Thunder, Thor goes on an impressive spiritual journey to rediscover who he is and what he wants out of life. After Hela destroyed Mjolnir, it was a challenging and meaningful development for Thor to discover that his power came from within, not a weapon.
Though there was a "jealous ex" feel played for laughs between Thor, Mjolnir, and Stormbreaker in Love and Thunder, many fans found it odd when, in the last scene of the movie, Thor had given Stormbreaker to his adopted daughter and once again gone back to Mjolnir.
Love and Thunder Is A Comedy
No other hero in the MCU has undergone as dramatic of a tonal shift as Thor has. Though he started off as a sort of Shakespearian figure embedded in family politics and betrayals, Love and Thunder is undeniably a comedy through and through. However, that doesn't mean that everyone likes where the franchise has gone.
There's no doubt that there are certain plot contrivances in Love and Thunder that stretch the suspension of disbelief (why does the Bifrost open the Gate to Eternity?), many fans feel as though everyone just needs to turn off their higher thinking and enjoy the movie for the silly, fairy-tale like story that it is.