Thursday night marked the Los Angeles red carpet premiere of Marvel’s latest installment in the Thor saga, Thor: Love and Thunder, and the stars pulled out all the stops as they arrived. And they weren't the only ones celebrating -- diehard Marvel fans and critics are loving the movie too.
Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, Chris Hemsworth, director Taika Waititi, and Tessa Thompson all showed up to greet and interact with fans, and gush about how excited they were to see the film back in the cinemas with a full audience again.
Natalie Portman has returned as Jane, Thor’s old love interest, and this time around she becomes Mighty Thor! She spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about how excited she was to return and also to work with director Taika Waititi who has infused a new groove into the MCU, colouring it with more humour and humanism.
She also made sure to pose for photos and sign autographs for all the young girls watching her as a superhero, impressing upon them that they can be anything they want to be – just like any boy superheroes.
Chris Hemsworth was also around to greet fans … although he perhaps wasn’t expecting one of his biggest one to come up right behind him and demand a hug mid-interview. The *other* famous Marvel Chris (no not Evans) from Guardians of the Galaxy makes an appearance in the movie.
Hemsworth got his revenge though. As Pratt was posing with star Tessa Thompson (who plays Valkyrie), Hemsworth used the opportunity to pull a memorable photobomb.
Also can we just take a moment to appreciate this purely-joyful moment between Tessa Thompson and fans? We LOVE this.
Director Taika Waititi, who plays Korg in the movie, struck quite the impressive pose at the premiere.
taika waititi attending the premiere of #thorloveandthunder pic.twitter.com/Gzm3nQDFwF
— taika waititi things (@waitititaikas) June 24, 2022
Twitter lit up after the premiere, with film critics and fans alike discussing all the aspects of the latest Avengers installment. Thor is one of the few Phase 1 heroes, like Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Widow, that is still standing. (Phase 1 Avengers are really dropping like flies.) This film picks up with Thor dealing with the fallout from both Endgame the last Thor installment, Ragnarok, where he experienced the demise of his parents, brother, sister, the Warriors Three, Heimdall, and endured the infamous snap event.
Final trailer for #ThorLoveAndThunder pic.twitter.com/4eWkDFUZAM
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) June 23, 2022
He also is dealing with a huge amount of guilt for not killing Thanos, and so Love and Thunder is being dubbed as not only the most wild Avengers ride yet, but also the most personal.
Some fans noticed that after the trailer used Guns n’ Roses tune “Sweet Child o’ Mine,” that the film itself has a very “Appetite For Destruction” feel to it.
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
#ThorLoveAndThunder also has the best use of needle drops with Guns n Roses! I’ll be driving around to Appetite for Destruction
— Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt) 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
It makes me extremely happy to hear that Guns N' Roses are all over #ThorLoveAndThunder - @TaikaWaititi did the impossible, he brought Axl Rose and Slash into the MCU! pic.twitter.com/kp1uXlcz0H
— WTFamicom : A Gaming Podcast (@WTFamicom) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder is Taika Waititi's Space Opera and it is epic AF. Chris Hemsworth is full on space viking in this entry. The fourth Thor film has heart, lots of laughs, and great battle scenes, all set to the awesome sounds of Guns N Roses. I can't wait to see it again.
— Tia Fabi #SaveAmericanGods (@TC_Stark) June 24, 2022
Others have flat out said this movie isn't just their favourite Thor film, it's their favourite Avengers film to date! And that wasn’t just fans, that was film critics who are paid to be, shall we say, extra critical! Here we have film critics from The Wrap, Yahoo!, and more literally gushing.
#ThorLoveAndThunder might be my favorite Marvel movie and it also might be their very best. A sublime mixture of extreme silliness, dreamy surrealism and genuine emotion, with some of the most visually inventive set pieces in the MCU. Full of delightful surprises. Just great.⚡️ pic.twitter.com/7Dvku7F9yF
— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveandThunder is fucking great. I think instantly one of my favorite Marvel movies - probably cause it’s easily the funniest, yet still had me choked up by the end. I hope Taika Waititi never stops making Thor movies.
— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) June 24, 2022
#ThorLoveAndThunder is predictably hilarious yet unexpectedly personal and heartfelt. Christian Bale and Natalie Portman's performances truly shine while Waititi delivers 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 absolutely electrifying. My favorite #Thor movie of the four.
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) June 24, 2022
Taika Waititi through and through. It’s mature, the soundtrack rocks, and there’s great surprises. So much fun.
Feels like the best of MCU Phase 1 and Phase 4 in one entry. Loved it. pic.twitter.com/3SO5yoy6j0
THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER is a rockin’ great time with electrifying action, lots of laughs (the screaming goats!) & a profound story on absent gods & our desire for love. Natalie Portman makes a mighty return & Christian Bale slays it as the terrifying Gorr. The best Thor film yet! pic.twitter.com/s42SkqxlJj
— Matt Neglia @Tribeca (@NextBestPicture) June 24, 2022
While there were minor quibbles about pacing in the first act, or how Christian Bale could have used more screen time, critics were generally positive.
#ThorLoveAndThunder has very high highs & very low lows. It’s very Taika Waititi and is tonally all over the place. That said, the second half is way better than the first and I really loved what Christian Bale brought to the table. Also, Natalie Portman is fantastic as expected. pic.twitter.com/NCCsDS7bj2
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) June 24, 2022
Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, aka #MightyThor, is just such a home run. Her whole story here is powerful and fulfilling.
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) June 24, 2022
Christian Bale is creepy good as #Gorr. He could’ve benefitted from a little more screen time but lands really well. Great villain.#ThorLoveAndThunder pic.twitter.com/0yDhSGtDjg
Thor: Love and Thunder opens July 8 and tickets are already on sale now