Critics and fans gave mixed reviews to the first two movies in the series. Taika Waititi's follow-up to his critically acclaimed film feels less focused, louder, dumb, and more charming. After selling Ghostbusters and selling the hell out of it, Chris Hemsworth is back as Thor. Waititi and Thompson both get in on the action as well. Two of the last surviving movie stars, Christian Bale and RussellCrowe, steal the spotlight despite being criminally underused. The return of Natalie Portman's Jane Foster is the main attraction. Why isn't that something?
Most casual fans don't remember that Portman left the MCU after a boring and inconsequential film called The Dark World. She agreed to come back after a meeting with Waititi promised her a new take on the character. The main change was that Waititi decided to adapt the well-received comic book storyline that sees Jane Foster take the mantle of Thor and wield Mjolnir after she learns she's not good enough. Portman would play the hero instead of the love interest.
When the world was still on a post-Endgame high, and Jane Foster promised to deliver at the San Diego Comic-Con, it was only a nightmare. The film is not as daring when it comes to its representation of the gay community. The bare minimum is what there is. Considering that this is 2022, and that Taika Waititi directed it, what feels minimal to the point of non- existence?
It is a pity. Right in front of their faces was the perfect opportunity for proper representation of the LGBTQ+ community. The first sapphic couple in the MCU would be Natalie Portman's Jane Foster and Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie. Natalie Portman says the film is gay in a clip from the premiere. How is it homosexual? It could've been if Waititi and company had the guts to have the two of them ditch the one they love for each other. Why didn't they?
One must first understand why Jane and Thor don't make sense. They are one of the most prominent couples in the comic book world, but they have no romantic chemistry. Padmé and Anakin look like Casablanca's famous lovebirds.
Portman is a great actress and she is an Oscar winner. He is going to play the role of Hogan. Their interactions in Kenneth Branagh'sThor seem forced, like two unbelievably pretty people getting together just because there's no one else like them. The setup for their romance is not good because the film is more interested in the plot. Jane andThor's ill-conceived relationship is an example of how the MCU has never been good at romance. The script says so, so they get together.
Things don't improve in the movie. Their lack of chemistry is worsened by the fact that they spend more time together. There is no effort or heat. They are performing at the Brits. They didn't improve with time. It isn't enough to sell their supposed romance, Love andThunder's paraphernalia does a lot to disguise their lack of passion.
What are they similar to? What are they seeing in each other? More than one person laughed, not at the obvious joke, but at the fact that THOR remembered Jane after he cried over her. You haven't seen her in a long time. If your couple doesn't inspire anything in your audience, then it's time for a change of pace. Waititi should have been aware of what was going on.
The chance to explore Jane and Valkyrie as a couple was opened up by knowing that Jane and Thor are not compatible. The film didn't have a lot of time to work with because the two never met before. It doesn't do anything with it.
Fans were surprised at the brief interaction between the two characters in the trailer. The three seconds were more interesting than the rest of the movie. The Mary Sue ran an article stating that they wanted the film to explore the characters relationship and see if there was a romance between them.
There was a chance for it to happen. It's possible that we're so desperate for LGBTQ+ content that we look for it everywhere. There was a chance that something could happen between Jane and Valkyrie. The film was directed by Taika Waititi, the same man who made the pirate comedy Our Flags Mean Death. He had the guts to see what he could do to bring these two people together.
Yes, he didn't.
They spend a lot of time together, but it doesn't feel real. Other characters in the film refer to her asking, and there was a lot of discussion about her bisexuality in the film. There is a limit to the number of times she is referred to as "king."
@etalkctv 🚨BREAKING THOR NEWS🚨 Natalie Portman and Taika Waititi reveal that #thorloveandthunder is…🌈SUPER GAY🌈 and we are here for it! #thor #marvel #taikawaititi #natalieportman #tessathompson (🎥: @Haushinka)
♬ original sound – etalk
Thompson and Portman wouldn't have been down for it. They would've jumped at the chance to be the first sapphic relationship of the MCU. There's a chance of a same-sex relationship between two women. Do you think it would be a good idea to spare THOR's feelings? He would've been fine. He could have even cheered for them. Is it possible that Waititi didn't even think of bringing the two characters? Did the people in charge of the comic book company stop it? It's probably somewhere in between.
Representation is hard to come by nowadays. With two major characters who were supposed to be front and center, Waititi was able to do it. When it came to changing him into a loveable goofball, Waititi was the one who did it. They should have been smart enough to know that Jane andThor didn't work together.
Considering Jane dies at the end of the film, the missed opportunity to explore her potential is even worse. It is yet another baffling choice on Waititi's part, perhaps brought about by Portman's reluctance to commit to more than one film. Unfortunately, Jane's stint as the mighty THOR is short and uninteresting. Had she found solace in a certain Asgardian king, it might have been a bit more meaningful. Her death might have perpetuated the idea that gays should be buried.
The point is that there should have been a romance between the two characters. Cinema is supposed to be bold and adventurous. You bring Taika Waititi in because he is a director who is risk-averse. This is the man who makes jokes about orgies in movies that are supposed to be 13 His brand is about suggestion and not execution.
It's shocking that the film didn't explore the possibility of a Jane-Valkyrie romance. If Taika Waititi isn't willing to take a risk like that, what can we expect from Jon Wattses and the rest of the team? Are we doomed to have only romance in superhero content? IsThor and Jane the best of the bunch?
All comes down to you, James. If you can, save the MCU from being boring. We know you can.
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