Thor: Love and Thunder hit Hollywood on Thursday for the world premiere of the latest Marvel Studios film, and the first reactions are ready.
Official reviews don’t arrive until July 5, so this is the first view of what the public is saying. It is worth noting that the reactions of premieres are generally more enthusiastic than those of critical screenings.
The project brings together Thor: Ragnarok filmmaker Taika Waititi with star Chris Hemsworth for a story that pits Thor against Gorr the butcher of God, a villain played by Christian Bale who is determined to eliminate the gods from the galaxy. Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster returns to the franchise for the first time since Thor: The Dark World (2013) and this time will wield the power of Thor. The film also stars Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie and actors of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, including Chris Pratt and Dave Bautista.
Love and Thunder arrives when the Marvel brand has expanded into streaming streaming with Disney +, with several series landed this year, including the current Ms. Marvel. On the big screen, the studio released Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness less than two months ago, with the project behind Top Gun: Maverick as the second highest-grossing film of the year to date. The studio also has Black Panther: Wakanda Forever which will hit the big screen later this year.
Love and Thunder hits theaters on July 7th.
Keep reading to see the reactions to the premiere.
Another classic Thor adventure! #ThorLoveAndThunder is all I wanted it to be. Big, colorful and weird battles of Guns N ‘Roses to continue a desperately romantic story about discovering love in unexpected places. Christian Bale and Russell Crowe are especially fantastic. I Korg! pic.twitter.com/fu0gTUuMRj
– Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) June 24, 2022
I saw #ThorLoveAndThunder. He can’t quite match Ragnarok’s visual bomb or comedy, but Taika Waititi makes up for it with an emotionally mature Marvel movie. It’s also a lot of fun (Natalie has jokes) and includes one of the most stunning visuals in MCU history.
– Jake (@jacobkleinman) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder improves when he’s not desperately trying to regain Ragnarok’s magic. Most of the humor doesn’t come off as well as it did the first time, but Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman and Christian Bale do it better.
More on @DiscussingFilm pic.twitter.com/2jkZD8TJAi
– Andrew J. Salazar (@ AndrewJ626) June 24, 2022
THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER is a fantastic moment with electrifying action, lots of laughs (the screaming goats!) And a deep story about absent gods and our desire for love. Natalie Portman makes a big comeback and Christian Bale kills him like the terrifying Gorr. The best Thor movie to date! pic.twitter.com/s42SkqxlJj
– Matt Neglia @Tribeca (@NextBestPicture) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder is the BIGGEST movie Marvel has made so far! It’s not a joke. I haven’t laughed so much since Ragnarok and I feel committed to Marvel again in a way I haven’t done since Endgame. Also, bring handkerchiefs. The journey is * chefs’ kiss * from start to finish! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/bJYVxCJoQS
– Lyra Hale 🔜 SDCC (@TheAltSource) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder exceeds all expectations by balancing an absolutely bombastic madness with character-driven moving stories. Christian Bale is top notch and Natalie Portman is truly outstanding. Maybe Waititi has just released the best MCU Phase 4 movie #ThorLoveAndThunder pic.twitter.com/HDePEKKS8P
– Caitlin Tyrrell (@caitlin_tyrrell) June 24, 2022
Thor: Love and Thunder is a fun, tight, and largely self-contained Marvel adventure. If he’s not as amazing as Ragnarok, this is one more proof that Taika Waititi knows how to make Thor an explosion. Mix heart and humor again to have a good time. #ThorLoveAndThunder pic.twitter.com/Bkxn5HJFQe
– Joey Magidson (@JoeyMagidson) June 24, 2022
However, you can’t be that breath of fresh air twice, so you have to increase the emotional connection with the characters and the plot. Watch the Guardians movies. #ThorLoveAndThunder tries, but fails, and seems strangely content, which is a shame. pic.twitter.com/KhE13qEc7x
– Kaitlyn Booth (@katiesmovies) June 24, 2022
holy shit. #ThorLoveandThunder is the perfect combination of taika at its best with comedy and a punch in the gut all in one. I came out of this film emotionally satisfied, at the same time sobbing and just perfection. we do a dad rock soundtrack. in the words of my new favorite characters: AHH pic.twitter.com/MytduVq89h
– was rachatha all the time (@RachelLeishman) on June 24, 2022
If, like me, you enjoy watching Christian Bale drink the scenery while devouring that black ink Danny DeVito had in Batman Returns, then #ThorLoveAndThunder is for you.
– Joanna Robinson (@jowrotethis) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder is a lively, vibrant blast it offers. Hemsworth’s Thor is still a gem in the Marvel crown. Bale’s Gorr is a boogeyman killer who mixes campy and creepy. Portman’s Foster and Thompson’s Valkyrie are a first-rate couple. Crowe’s Zeus is * the chef’s kiss * pic.twitter.com/PDb5SZRWOo
– Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) 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 a little more, in that order. Natalie Portman is FINALLY fruitful. Dr. Jane Foster is more than worthy of being the Mighty Thor.⚡️ pic.twitter.com/oOop89P1uf
– Kirsten (@KirstenAcuna) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder craves destruction and laughs. It’s totally rad! Taika Waititi offers a subversive and irreverent spectacle. Great story, betting and character building. Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman, excellent. Russell Crowe and Christian Bale easily enter the world pic.twitter.com/W7PUUXIfM5
– Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder is the funniest movie on the MCU. The jokes are excellent, as is the cast that offers them.
Christian Bale is obviously also terrifying as a #Hate
BUT, the plot seemed flat and gameless. I’m not sure if it’s a #Thor problem or an MCU-without-a-big-bad problem. pic.twitter.com/G6XP9EyL0Y
– Eric Italiano (@ericitaIiano) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder is predictably fun but unexpectedly personal and sincere. The performances of Christian Bale and Natalie Portman really shine while Waititi offers an emotional story. I think this may be my favorite Thor movie. pic.twitter.com/i7BpmQHvQ1
– Richard Nebens – The Direct (@RichardNebens) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder is all great about comic book movies! A really hilarious madness, a heartbreaking tragedy and a bombastic action! Visually stunning and one of the best MCU soundtracks. The whole cast is fantastic, but Christian Bale and Natalie Portman are phenomenal! pic.twitter.com/dVkpf54fmP
– The Illuminerdi (@The_Illuminerdi) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder is a solid view of Mighty Thor comics – it’s great to see Natalie wield the hammer and all that goes with it. Christian Bale is a top notch MCU villain and Chris / Tessa are fantastic as always. Another Taika victory with humor, heart and a revelation of unmissable credits. pic.twitter.com/BGkXgCEyV9
– Brian Particelli (He / Him) (@BrianParticelli) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder is absolutely amazing. Blast all the other Marvel movies out of the water and double the charm of Ragnarok. A classic set by @TaikaWaititi, so many laughs and tears, with a moving narrative and beautiful images. And these subsequent credits? OH MY GOODNESS. pic.twitter.com/41iuRXPf0O
– therese lacson (@bamfpire) June 24, 2022
Thor: Love and Thunder is very Taika Waititi! It’s wild, fun, action-packed and even dark. Christian Bale is phenomenal as Gorr and Tessa Thompson crush him! Get ready to love these goats! Not enough guardians (I’m partial to that). The average credit is FIRE! #ThorLoveAndThunder pic.twitter.com/JaRDUkAEcT
– Tessa Smith – Mama’s Geeky (@MamasGeeky) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder is a bright spot in a Phase 4 staggering as Ragnarok redux, down to his silly lark humor and his A-list star Cooked as a villain. Without worrying about cameos and fan service, it feels like a tonic. Much better / more fun than the sum of your awesome marketing. pic.twitter.com/hwTLk8Chhs
– Jeff Zhang (@strangeharbors) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder established itself as one of my favorite MCU movies. Bursting with so much heart, emotion and sincerity, I cried, smiled from ear to ear. This film is a warm hug and a plea to love the present, live the moment, do something that matters. I love this movie! pic.twitter.com/FYnwC2Gyqv
– Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder is electrifying! Chris Hemsworth is fantastic as usual, Natalie Portman has her time to shine and Russell Crowe as Zeus is fun. Stormbreaker needs his own movie! pic.twitter.com/8T3YepCUIg
– John Nguyen (@ JohnSpartan300) June 24, 2022
I really liked #ThorLoveAndThunder! One of the funniest Marvel movies and, surprisingly, also one of the most sincere. Christian Bale stole the show from me as Gorr the butcher of God. Taika Waititi has to direct all of Thor’s films now. pic.twitter.com/6rUxRxNQtD
– Geeky Misfit (@JalenJColeman) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder has very high highs and very low lows. It’s very Taika Waititi and it’s tonal everywhere. That said, the second part is much better than the first and I loved what Christian Bale brought to the table. Plus, Natalie Portman is fantastic as expected. pic.twitter.com/NCCsDS7bj2
– Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) June 24, 2022
What a hurry! Thor: Love & Thunder is pure entertainment. It’s funny, emotional, it has moments of horror. Christian Bale is perfectly terrifying as Gorr. Natalie Portman is fantastic as the Mighty Thor …