Why 'Thor: Ragnarok' is the Best MCU Film Ever Made

Some fans prefer their superhero movies to be serious and straightforward. Others find them to be campy and amusing. Thor: Ragnarok, fortunately for fans of the genre, is a mix of the two, providing moviegoers the best of both worlds. In essence, this is why the picture is the best superhero film ever released in theaters.

There's no doubting that betting the farm on indie director Taika Waititi and taking more risks than the studio has ever done paid off handsomely for Marvel Studios. Waititi's contribution to Ragnarok has reverberated throughout the broader world, and the filmmaker's comic tone was just what the brand required to survive.

Thor: Ragnarok had an uphill battle from the moment it was revealed. The Thor franchise had two of the lowest-rated films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, out of all the solo Avengers properties. While Captain America's franchise rose threefold between the first two films, Thor was left gasping for air after his sequel tanked even more than the first. Regardless, Marvel Studios stretched its muscles and gambled on Ragnarok, which turned out to be one of their highest-rated films to date. The picture is the most critically lauded film the production studio has ever done, aside from the Oscar-winning Black Panther and the MCU tentpole Iron Man.

When the film was first announced, one would have assumed that a movie named after the Asgardian apocalypse would be filled with dark and ominous imagery, as well as a dreary storyline. Ragnarok, on the other hand, shook things up with its revolutionary narrative and stunning cinematography. Even in the face of total annihilation, the film managed to incorporate comic timing at precisely the appropriate moments, never becoming excessive or unneeded. There's something to be said for utilizing comedy to overcome tragedy, and this film does a fantastic job doing it.

There hasn't been a single superhero picture that has been more loyal to the comic source material it draws inspiration from, from the spectacular visual effects to the jaw-dropping set-pieces. Few, if any, of the hundreds of live-action superhero films that have been released have looked as closely as their comic book equivalents. Take, for example, most set pieces on Sakaar, such as the Hulk's room, the Sakaarian buildings that line the streets, or the Grandmaster's guards. From the rich color choices to the contrasting shading and contours, all of those elements are taken directly from Jack Kirby's painstakingly created panels.

While there had been some brief character development on the God of Thunder before this film, it is this film that may be credited with accomplishing more for the growth of one single character than any other Marvel Studios film. Though he's far from flawless, Ragnarok transformed Thor from a conceited know-it-all to someone who's been humbled by the loss of practically everyone close to him. Sure, he's still brazen, but wouldn't you be if you were a god?

The film's score may be the best aspect of the entire production, aside from the plot and graphics. While superstars such as Oscar-winning Hans Zimmer and Oscar-nominated Alan Silvestri have contributed to the genre, superhero soundtracks tend to melt together at some point. When Mark Mothersbaugh joined the Ragnarok team, he threw the standard out the window by introducing a synth-heavy score that stands out just as much, if not more, than the visuals. Not only that, but Mothersbaugh also had Jeff Goldblum sing Taika Waititi over and over again, which he edited into "Grandmaster Jam Session," which is precisely what the universe needed.

When you consider the franchise's turnaround, as well as the fact that Marvel has proven that taking significant risks now and then pays off, it's difficult to deny that Thor: Ragnarok utterly transformed the superhero genre as we know it. Thor: Ragnarok will most certainly go down in history as the best superhero film of all time after the dust settles.