I loved Thor: Ragnarok the first time I saw it. I went in hesitatingly. Thor had easily been the weakest sub-series of the MCU and his subplot about the jacuzzi of destiny in Age of Ultron seemed completely superfluous. That, combined with his exit about looking into the Infinity Stones, made me think this film would just be filler to Infinity War. I’m glad I was wrong. After a rough start, the film really get going when Thor arrives in Sakaar. Then Jeff Goldblum arrives and everything was right with the world. For the most part. I hope this still stands up on a second viewing. See you on the other side!

Avengers: Infinity War

I just saw this movie, and all I'm going to say about the movie itself is

8/10


I did get to see it at the first possible showtime here in the US, which I very much appreciated.  Everyone else in the audience was as into it as I was.  There was lots of laughing and engagement with the film.  People clapped at several moments, and every single person stayed for the post credits scene.  That alone made it worth going on opening night. 

I'm not going to give my thoughts on Avengers: Infinity War yet because honestly. I need to see it again. Will give other people a chance to see it also. Saw it in 2D, will see it in 3D next.

I am also going to give Infinity War another watch, but upon initial watch I'm giving it a 10/10.

It was bold,it was fun, a lot was going on, Thanos was a menace, and while I have some complaints they are quite minor. I do think The Black Order and Captain America were underrepresented, and there were a few minor leaps in logic that I found hard to get out of my head...

..but it was 150 minutes of pure climax. sure, that might be exhausting to someone who is JUST watching this movie and not all the films that led up to it, but as a climax to 18 films so far as well as a bunch of TV shows (technically, not practically), it seemed to fit. So yeah, myself, my brother, and my roommate all came out of it with this movie as our #1, #2, and #1 film in the MCU respectively. Brother still likes Doctor Strange more, but he admits he's biased.

Wish I could say more, but I was immensely satisfied, I DEFINITELY need to see the next one, and I think it's crazy to imagine anyone giving this a negative review. 7/10 or 8/10 I can imagine if you're pedantic, but this was too fun, too satisfying, and too bold for me to give any less than a 9, but since I loved it, I am giving it a 10/10.

Also, on my global rank, I've got it as 9.7, which is the second highest score I've ever given to a movie. That ranking may change, but if it doesn't when I See it again Sunday, then I don't think it will.

infinity war 10/10

want to go again to see if my opinion changes, but damn the movie just doesnt allow you to breathe at all, amazing theatre for me as well, mostly fans in the audience , so no one was making annoying sounds xD

Like other said I am definitely seeing it again soon. It is a lot to take in all at once. I do feel like I have to see it again just to digest everything that happened.

I had a couple that were a it too excited, girls oddly.

One thing about the film, regardless of thoughts is that you are right, it never stopped. Near 3 hours of constant entertainment nearly.

Like I said, it's basically a 150 minute climax to 18 films and 10 years on the market. Loved it. Loved every minute of it. 

I can't fathom people giving this movie a bad review unless they're the kind of watcher who doesn't like superhero action in the first place and really shouldn't be watching a movie like this. 

Thor: Ragnarok. Well I didn’t enjoy that as much as I did the first time around. Right now I’m waffling on the score so hopefully this review will help me decide where I’m going to land. And I apologize in advance for everyone geeking out over Avengers: Infinity War and this (sure to be) long review will be plopped right in the middle of it. While I still think this film is the best Thor film, the second viewing has highlighted a lot of problems with the overall structure of the film that I was able to gloss over in the first viewing.

This is really two films. Unfortunately one is so superior to the other that whenever it cuts over to the inferior story you just wish you would go back to the more enjoyable one. The tonal shifts between the two stories is also a little disconcerting. Whereas one story is a fun, action-packed, buddy comedy, the other story is a dark tale of mass murder and revenge and I’m not even sure how to describe it as I write this.

The film gets off to a bit of a rocky start. While I liked the opening interrogation scene, we then get Doctor Strange shoe-horned into the film as its build-up to Infinity War. Whereas Ant-Man in Captain America: Civil War came off better in his follow-up, the bits with Strange just seem wholly unnecessary. The plot then gives you a whole film’s worth of material in about 15 minutes. The scene with Odin, Thor and Loki is a touching one filled with both gravitas and melancholy. Unfortunately we barely get any time to digest what we saw before we’re introduced to Hela and the inferior storyline takes off in full force. We have nary a moment to mourn Odin before Mjolnir, the Warriors Three and a significant portion of Asgard are laid waste in quick succession. Now while this many have been intended to show the true threatening and destructive nature of Hela, it’s done so coldly and dispassionately it feels like the screenwriters wanted to shake things up and just said “Let’s burn it all to the ground”. There is loads of potential there and it’s wasted in what is essentially a B plot.

Over on Sakaar, things look a lot brighter both literally and figuratively. These sequences are filled with imaginative set design, bright colors and a retro 80s sheen. It’s hard to believe this is the same film. Presiding over it all is Jeff Goldblum as the Grandmaster, easily the MVP of film and someone I hope we see again soon. He steals every scene he is in and during the first viewing I laughed at everything he said. There was a moment where I was the only one in the theatre laughing and I totally didn’t care. I did not laugh as much this time around but the film pops in every scene he’s in.

Sakaar also gives us a great supporting cast including Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie. Jane who? Hemsworth and Thompson crackle with sparks and this film gives a chance for their relationship to grow without giving us a heavy handed “see my abs, now love me” plot. I look forward to her returning in Infinity War but am saddened at the prospect that we may not get another Thor film to give their relationship a chance to blossom. Another special shoutout to director Taika Waititi as Korg who’s soft-spoken demeanor juxtaposed with his seemingly menacing form is a pure delight. Over in the B plot, Cate Blanchett does what she can with the material and does give an imposing performance going toe to toe with Hemsworth, but the role is just not fleshed out enough for it to break from the pack of lackluster villains.

Obviously the most significant portion of this film is Thor vs. Hulk. I thought this was a great action scene and easily makes the final battle seem tame by comparison. Filled with humor, brutal action and great chemistry between Hemsworth and Ruffalo, this is where the film truly hits in peak. Sadly it’s with another hour to go in the runtime. Hemsworth and Ruffalo seem to be having a blast and it shows that RDJ is not the only one who can have an enjoyable bromance with Hulk 2.0. My only caveat is that the Hulk is going through an existential crisis that is seemingly glossed over for laughs. Again, great dramatic material that is used just enough to move the story along.

When the two halves collide in the finale, it does allow the film to finish strong. “Asgard is not a place, but a people” seems like a theme that should have been peppered throughout the trilogy instead of seemingly thrown in with a half hour to go. But I did really like the idea of turning Ragnarok on its head. Marvel could have done a straightforward film about the destruction of Asgard as I mentioned above. It would have been filled with great dramatic moments, dark elements and could have been a rich story. Does pairing it with Planet Hulk work overall? I’m still on the fence about that. The film is certainly worth seeing but I worry it won’t hold up under multiple viewings. Time will tell.

Last but certainly not least, I want to touch on the best element that has been in all these Thor films (and The Avengers): the ever evolving relationship between Thor and Loki. Hemsworth and Hiddleston work so well together. And given the improvisational nature of the performances, they come off even better in this film than before. Hiddleston still plays the part with a touch of menace but the bond between these two brothers is so strong, you feel a little disappointed on Thor’s behalf when Loki falls short again and again. The touching “I’m here” moment is both heartwarming and brings a depth of feeling that is sometimes missing in these films.

I’m going to be generous and give Thor: Ragnarok a 7/10. I can see this dropping to a 6 in the future because it’s still new enough that it plays better when you don’t have the entire plot down pat. But for right now, I think the creative way they depicted Ragnarok along with the great performances and the brotherly love story all elevate this film an extra point. I hope we do get a Thor 4 because it’s finally in an interesting enough place that you want to see what comes next but we may just have to settle for the next two Avengers films. For Asgard!

Current rankings:
1) Captain America: The Winter Soldier
2) Iron Man
3) The Avengers
4) Captain America: Civil War
5) Spider-Man: Homecoming
6) Guardians of the Galaxy
7) Thor: Ragnarok
8) The Incredible Hulk
9) Black Panther
10) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
11) Avengers: Age of Ultron
12) Iron Man 3
13) Captain America: The First Avenger
14) Doctor Strange
15) Ant-Man
16) Thor: The Dark World
17) Thor
18) Iron Man 2

Saw Infinity War last night. Overall, similar in quality to the first Avengers movie -- quite good, but not great.

Pros:

• The cast. It's just fun to see so many fine actors on screen at once. This movie almost functions as an Ocean's 11-type production, where you grin at seeing Robert Downey, Jr. spar verbally with Benedict Cumberbatch or Chris Pratt awkwardly insert himself between Zoe Saldana and Chris Hemsworth. Everyone gives serviceable performances, too, even as many aren't given anything to do or to say or to feel -- but more on that later. The two MVPs, though, are...
• Thanos and Gamora. Wow. This came out of left field, and I love it. In a movie mostly devoid of an emotional center, Thanos and Gamora's relationship threaten to make Infinity War a great movie. Saldana earns co-MVP credits with Josh Brolin/team of animators who brought the granite titan to life. The anger, pain, and pathos that defines the relationship between these two is by far the best part of the movie. I wanted more of it. In fact, I'd say Thanos is the most interesting and complicated person in the movie, which is astounding.
• Action. It's the Russos meets the Avengers, so of course we're going to get great action. I wouldn't say there's anything in here that tops the best of Winter Soldier or Civil War, but the brawl on Titan and the sortie in Wakanda come close. I had the biggest smile on my face when Thor, Rocket, and Groot landed in the middle of the battle -- it's just fanboy fuel, in the best way.
• Humor. As I've said before, the best Marvel movies traffic in the best jokes, and Infinity War is no exception. Markus & McFeely, who have proven themselves indispensable in the MCU, make this a very funny movie, and, gratefully, most of the jokes are grounded in personality quirks or flaws. In fact, I'd argue (just like Whedon did in The Avengers) that this duo writes some of the MCU characters better than their own scribes. This is especially true of the motley Guardians crew.

FINAL rankings:

OUTSTANDING
1) Captain America: Civil War

GREAT  
2) Captain America: The Winter Soldier
3) Iron Man

GOOD
4) Guardians of the Galaxy
5) The Avengers
6) Avengers: Infinity War
7) Spider-Man: Homecoming
8) Thor: Ragnarok
9) Iron Man 3

DECENT
10) Black Panther
11) Captain America
12) The Incredible Hulk
13) Avengers: Age of Ultron
14) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

MEDIOCRE
15) Doctor Strange
16) Ant-Man
17) Iron Man 2

POOR
18) Thor
19) Thor: The Dark World