On November 3, Fandango’s most anticipated fall movie was released, to the delight of Marvel fans worldwide. Earning $650.1 million in the first ten days after its release, Thor: Ragnarok has entered the running for one of the largest Marvel Cinematic Universe film openings.

  The movie follows Thor and Loki after their father’s death. Oden’s passing triggers the return of Hela, his ambitiously destructive first-born. Thor, in his attempt to subvert Hela’s forced reign over Asgard, falls to Sakaar, a planet on which he is forced to fight for entertainment. He eventually teams up with Hulk to return to Asgard in the attempt to save his people.

  The intricate plot speaks to the meticulous care with which movies are introduced into the MCU. The writers creatively tie the plot to the chronology of its related movies through witty theatrical renditions of Loki’s presumed death and flashbacks of Hulk and Sokovia.

  The inclusion of Doctor Strange, although only a few minutes of the movie, provides a humorous segment that relaxes the tone of the MCU (and quite possibly contributes heavily to the movie’s humor).

  Critics have commented that Thor: Ragnarok, with its repartee, has entered a more relaxed era of the MCU, more similar to Guardians of the Galaxy than any other. Such dedication to humor over seriousness allows for a more diverse reception by audiences.

  The natural rhythm of the movie directly results from Taika Waititi’s directing style. About 80% of the movie was unscripted. Waititi gave the actors freedom to converse and joke in a way that suited the scenes. Such creative autonomy allowed for a more engaging dialogue, as well as quite a few improvised jokes and reactions.

  Although the movie did rely quite heavily on overt symbolism (like the destruction of Mjolnir and the gouging of Thor’s eye), the few instances of seriousness that broke the natural humor of the movie were warranted. They created the atmosphere necessary to convey the importance of opposing Hela while still following the humorous tone presented in other scenes.

  The most notable character in the movie was Valkyrie, a warrior who abandoned Asgard after previously fighting Hela. Played by Tessa Thompson, Valkyrie defies all authority (especially Chris Hemsworth’s Thor), showcasing her rejection of social conventions. Even more so, Valkyrie is notable for her (albeit subtle) bisexuality – a characterization true to the comics. Her carefree, yet tormented, character provides a refreshing female breakout star that has led Marvel fans to call for female-dominated movies.

 Thor: Ragnarok specifically addresses the seriousness of violent ambition in a circuitous, humorous way that directly correlates with its success.