Reviews

Ragnarok is a neon-infused fantasy of what superhero films could look like. There are gigantic monsters and beautiful women; zombie armies and a big spooky dog; an evil witch and Jeff Goldblum, but this isn't just a wacky movie made for the sake of wackiness. Ragnarok is the child of confident filmmaking and understanding of what the Thor franchise could have always been.

It takes a character that could have always been more and makes good on that promise through competent storytelling and unbridled enthusiasm for the world. This is exactly how we should be rewarded for their fandom. There has never been a clearer example of throwing the entire kitchen sink at a single title and having every single washer and lug-nut of that porcelain mechanism land in perfect order than Ragnarok.

Director Robert Zemeckis ("Back to the Future") gives the movie a bittersweet turn by concentrating on the main character's integrity. This is enhanced by his assorted friends who include the self-destructive Jenny; the hilariously boring soldier and shrimper Bubba (Mykelti Williamson, "Free Willy"); and double amputee Lt. Dan (Gary Sinise, "Of Mice and Men").

The show, enjoyable as it is for the most part, is far from original in concept. Peter Sellers played to the hilt his role of Chance, the simpleminded gardener who rose to fame in "Being There."

While the Industrial Light & Magic clips of Forrest talking with presidents and other celebrities is indeed something to see, the same sort of documentary feel was featured several years ago in "Zelig." And Field's role as Forrest's strong mother is akin to Glenn Close's portrayal of the title character's only parent in "The World According to Garp."