Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder, helmed by Taika Waititi, brings more of the director’s signature wild flair to the franchise with the return ofNatalie Portman as Jane Foster—finally wielding Mjolnir as the Mighty Thor—and the addition of Christian Bale as the villainous Gorr the God Butcher.
The fourth film in the Chris Hemsworth-led superhero series—also starring Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie and Waititi himself as Korg—was screened Thursday evening for critics and social media commentators. So what’s the early verdict? Read on to find out!
Here’s a roundup of reactions from across the web.
#ThorLoveAndThunder is like what I imagine living in the mind of Taika Waititi might be like. It’s wild, funny, a little all over the place in the middle but by the end it all comes together in a surprising, touching, satisfying way. So much Guns n Roses too. So much. ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/FCuilspvHH
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder has an Appetite For Destruction & laughs. It’s totally rad! Taika Waititi delivers a subversive, irreverent spectacle. Great story, stakes & character-building. Chris Hemsworth & Natalie Portman, superb.Russell Crowe & Christian Bale slip easily into the world pic.twitter.com/W7PUUXIfM5
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) June 24, 2022
Wow!! #ThorLoveandThunder is great! The best entry in Phase 4 behind Shang-Chi and No Way Home. I laughed. I cried. Then I laughed and cried some more, in that order. Natalie Portman is FINALLY given her due. Dr. Jane Foster is more than worthy of being the Mighty Thor.⚡️ pic.twitter.com/oOop89P1uf
— Kirsten (@KirstenAcuna) June 24, 2022
Another classic Thor adventure! #ThorLoveAndThunder is everything I wanted it to be. Big, colorful, weird Guns N' Roses-fueled battles to go w/ a hopelessly romantic story about discovering love in unexpected places. Christian Bale & Russell Crowe are especially great. And Korg! pic.twitter.com/fu0gTUuMRj
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) June 24, 2022
holy shit. #ThorLoveandThunder is the perfect blend of taika at his best with comedy and a punch to the gut all in one. i left this movie emotionally satisfied while also sobbing and just perfection. we stan a dad rock soundtrack. in the words of my new favorite characters: AHH pic.twitter.com/MytduVq89h
— Rachel Leishman (@RachelLeishman) June 24, 2022
https://twitter.com/embed/status/1540191900916781056
#ThorLoveAndThunder welcome to the MCU jungle! #taika plays up the camp from Ragnarok, some works while other times it falters. When the story picks up it’s electrifying. Portman smashes as #MightyThor and all hail Thompson’s #KingValkyrie!
— Felicia (@astoldbyfelicia) June 24, 2022
everyone is fabulous in #ThorLoveAndThunder but toothgrinder and toothgnasher the magic goats are the breakout stars; disney+ stand-alone series when pic.twitter.com/IC3VF2C9e5
— Kaila Hale-Stern (@kailahalestern) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder is what you'd expect from Taika Waititi. Full of heart, great music and tons of comedy. Bale is fantastic as #Gorr , but it's Natalie Portman who steals the show. When she wields Mjölnir she IS the Mighty #Thor . Another solid entry in the #MCU. pic.twitter.com/KallwLdBl5
— Joshua Ryan (@MrMovieGuy86) June 24, 2022
So basically if you love Taika Waititi’s style for Thor you’ll love #ThorLoveAndThunder and if you don’t like Taika Waititi’s style then you won’t pic.twitter.com/tUuMDqb7Me
— BLURAYANGEL 🦇 (@blurayangel) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder is much more episodic than I would have suspected. Delivers big laughs. Very standard, cookie cutter villain with Christian Bale. I want the buddy cop comedy with Natalie Portman & Tessa Thompson. Matt Damon must go Broadway. Post credits are EPIC! Pure fun. pic.twitter.com/2J5UQuHHSA
— Clayton Davis (@ByClaytonDavis) June 24, 2022
Thor: Love and Thunder opens July 8.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel and Star Wars releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about House of the Dragon and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
