This is what watching superhero movies for one week taught me

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Praise be to Thor of Asgard (Chris Hemsworth). I probably saw Thor (2011) within the first few years of its release (just once). I skipped Thor: The Dark World altogether, but luckily I limped my way through half of The Avengers, so I had a general understanding of Thor’s dysfunctional family dynamics when it came to Thor: Ragnarok.

For once, I had an advantage. Not only had I watched Avengers: Age of Ultron, but Thor gives a brief rundown of his comings and goings in the first couple of minutes of the movie. If only every Marvel film would start with a short, snappy, succinct synopsis. This would make things so much easier.

I get Thor. Maybe it’s because I was an English major, and there are some very Shakespearean influences evident when it comes to the relationship between Odin and his two sons. It doesn’t hurt that Thor maintains his sense of humor even under the most dire of circumstances either.

The plot of this one is easy to follow because even in alternate dimensions, somebody either wants what you have or wishes to destroy it. It’s possible my affection for Thor relies solely on Hemsworth, or Justice League just wore me down.

I enjoy Thor much more when he’s not sharing the spotlight — too many cooks and all that. I find myself calling upon this phrase often, and I think it’s in response to our constant, compulsive need to be distracted.

If I have one complaint, it’s the appearance of Dr. Strange. I had no idea if I should know who this guy was, or if his cameo meant an upcoming onslaught of movies at the multiplex I would never watch.