The post ”Avengers: Endgame” MCU output hasn’t been very good. In fact, the films have been weak. This coming from someone who liked about half the films from the initial three phases.
One of them was “Thor: Ragnarok,” which was a very silly and amusing romp from director Taika Waititi. Maybe as close to an “auteur” movie as the MCU has ever gotten (though I will defend Shane Black’s “Iron Man 3” to the death). ‘Ragnarok’ was a vast improvement upon the first two Thor installments, much of it thanks to Waititi who brought a good dosage of his usual wacky meta-humor.
There is currently a review embargo for “Thor: Love and Thunder,” but, as you can imagine from the title, I far prefered ‘Ragnarok.’ This sequel is flat, unfocused and messy. Natalie Portman’s performance is actually leagues above everyone else’s here. There are some fun cameos though, including a hilarious Matt Damon and a revered actor, who I will not name, playing a fat Zeus.
Sadly, Marvel is now 0 for 6 when it comes to their phase four movies. It’s been quite disastrous so far, but they all still make loads of cash and will continue to be released for the next decade, or at least until the demand for them stops.