Watch Kids' Reviews of
THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER

What to know:
KIDS FIRST ENDORSED
Recommended age 12-18
125 minutes
FeatureFilm
WALT DISNEY STUDIOS MOTION PICTURES
Listen to reviews on our radio show Listen to KIDS FIRST! Radio Coming Attractions on VoiceAmerica
THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER cover image Click to play video trailer
Marvel Studio's Thor: Love and Thunder officially redefines the definition of film and on-screen art. Taika Waititi's background as a painter can be seen throughout the film, through the use of a vibrant color scheme and specific tint isolation. This is incredibly aesthetically pleasing and, quite frankly, nothing that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has shown us before. Matched with a rocking soundtrack -- Appetite for Destruction from Guns N' Roses, Thor: Love and Thunder is quite literally an "appetite for destruction."

Thor: Love and Thunder picks up after the events of Avengers: Endgame. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is still tagging along as one of the Guardians of the Galaxy. After all his paths have been severed from his battles with Thanos, he finds himself without a pathway. In all of his thousands of years of living, this has never been a concept that Thor has had to tackle. This puts him on a journey of self-exploration. Although, obviously in the Marvel Universe, that can only last so long when the new villain Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale) comes to town. Gorr vows that "all gods will die." Thor recruits the help of his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) who seemingly became a Thor herself. These two learn to work together to defeat Gorr and how to navigate the world while rekindling their old relationship.

Thor: Love and Thunder emphasizes the idea of "love" in the title because that's how audiences will feel about the film's color variations and banging soundtrack. Christian Bale completely steals the entire show as Gorr the God Butcher. In every scene he is in, your eyes are glued to his worldly-like presence on the screen. Although he is terrifying, the audience will not be able to get enough of him. Christian Bale finds a way to make this a Christian Bale film and not a Chris Hemsworth film. As much as Gorr the God Butcher's storyline is golden, which is ironic given his black and white color scheme, other branches of the film feel unnecessary. During the film, certain plot points are used that feel somewhat like a cheap excuse to move the story forward. The characters spend a solid 30 minutes exploring something new, yet later we learn that it has no overall impact or relevance to the story. Part of the film is wasted on the focus of Zeus. It may be comedic and light-hearted in the moment, yet it almost feels like it is only introduced to help set up future Marvel projects, rather than focus on the film we are currently watching.

If the title doesn't make it obvious, the film deals with the theme of love persevering and expresses the concept that relationships aren't forever, but the love behind them is eternal. Following previous Marvel content Thor: Love and Thunder continues the trend of pushing PG-13 boundaries and getting darker. When I say that Christian Bale is incredibly terrifying, that is really true. Marvel does not hold back on his character, especially when a large part of his role is about abducting children. Given that, plus the barrel of intense action throughout the film, this film is not to be taken lightly.

I give Thor: Love and Thunder 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can find Thor: Love and Thunder raining its way into theatres on July 8, 2022. So make sure to check it out!

By Jude A., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

This ends here and now ... Thor is back with a comedic, out-of-this-world all-new adventure! This new installment about the God of Thunder, Thor: Love and Thunder has everything a Marvel fan could want. With two Thors making an appearance, you get things you didn't know you wanted and needed. It's called "Love and Thunder," so of course there is plenty of love.

Thor: Love and Thunder starts with a backstory about a villain named Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale) as he experiences a great loss and seeks help from a God. When he refuses to help him, Gorr wants revenge and goes on a mission to kill all Gods. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) learns of Gorr's quest and un-retires to go save his home, Asgard. Along the way, his ex-girlfriend, Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), now the Mighty Thor with Thor's powers, joins him to help save Asgard and the Gods.

The main characters in this film are Thor, Jane Foster, King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi) and Gorr the God Butcher. Thor's comeback, wearing a rock-and-roll outfit and set to 80s music, is epic! Make-up, especially for Gorr, is realistic, creepy and jaw-dropping. This film allows you to connect with each character on a different level where you care about each of them, even Gorr. It's the perfect balance between romance, tragedy, comedy, drama and action. My favorite part is the fight scene with a new generation of warriors, including a surprise appearance from another Marvel character's son. There is even a hilarious scene with a stuffed bunny used as a weapon. Marvel and Disney are leading the way for more LGBTQ+ representation in their movies, and Thor: Love and Thunder is a great reflection of today's society.

Thor: Love and Thunder's theme is that love is worth fighting for. All the main characters battle for the thing and/or person that they love the most. They are all in pain, seeking love and want revenge for how they feel, and are willing to fight for it. Parents should be aware that there is a brief nudity scene, some mild cursing, and heavy topics such as cancer and relationships.

Marvel has outdone itself with Thor: Love and Thunder and I give it 5 out of 5 hammers. This may be the funniest, "lovingest," and most entertaining Marvel film yet. I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can watch this movie in theatres starting July 8, 2022.

By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I like the new Marvel Cinematic Universe release Thor: Love and Thunder because of how comical and emotional it is. I also like that the movie has a female kind of Thor, Jane (Natalie Portman), who becomes as powerful or more than Thor.

Continuing from Avengers: Endgame, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has to get in shape so he can help the Guardians of the Galaxy's team fight off enemies on other planets. While this is happening, somewhere in the desert, Gorr (Christian Bale) the God Butcher is trying to save his daughter from dying and asks the god of his planet for help, but the god declines, laughing at him. The god previously kills a man holding a sword called the Necrosword, the only sword that can kill gods. The sword chooses Gorr, and then Gorr grabs the sword and kills his god and sets out to kill all gods.

The graphics and CGI in Thor: Love and Thunder are exciting. The visual effects technology used in this movie is the same as used in The Mandalorian. The audience can see a muscular Jane Foster with arms noticeably bigger in this film. Her costume is on point, similar to Thor's. The music really rocks on every scene, literally. My favorite part is when Thor has to help a planet, since the Guardians of the Galaxy couldn't, so he took off his cloak and went on a rampage while throwing in some comedy at the same time. Another favorite part is when Zeus (Russell Crowe) flicks his disguise and that accidently takes all of it off--at that point Thor screams, "You flicked a little too hard." This film has other great actors, including Matt Damon, Chris Pratt, Melissa McCarthy, Sam Neill, Vin Diesel and Taika Waititi.

There are multiple moral messages in this film, but the most important one is love is more important than greed or revenge. Gorr learns this the hard way while facing Thor.

I'd give Thor: Love and Thunder 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18 plus adults. Thor: Love and Thunder will be released on July 8, 2022.

Ethan P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 13

Thanks to this new film based on the Marvel character, Thor, I am now a lifelong fan of comic book-inspired movies. If you plan to see Thor: Love and Thunder be prepared to laugh and cry. Prepare to spend two hours on the edge of your seat.

The storyline follows Thor, the God of Thunder (Chris Hemsworth), who sets out to defeat Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), an unhinged villain determined to single-handedly make god extinct. With the assistance of Korg (Taika Waititi), ex-love interest Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Thor sets out to protect the gods and rescue the guardian children.

Director, Taika Waititi, delivers an action-packed comedy that tugs at the emotions. If you are, like me prone to cry at sentimental films, be prepared to shed a tear. Thor: Love and Thunder serves up nonstop laughter, fear, excitement, sadness and love. The fourth film in the Thor movie collection follows the God of Thunder as he is jolted from his carefree retirement when a father scorned, turned deity-slayer attempts to end humanity. Fortunately for Thor, his trusted friends refuse to let him enter the battle alone. Chris Hemsworth is absolutely consuming in his portrayal of Thor. Hemsworth is charming, unintentionally hilarious, and an unbreakable warrior whom you can not help but love. In an unexpected twist, Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is called to power by Thor's old weapon, the hammer Mjolnir. Fully equipped with the strength of a Thor and the will to fight, Jane Foster is a mystical wonder on the battlefield and on camera. We witness Jane Foster and Thor fall back in love as they save the world. This review would be incomplete if I did not mention the spectacular onscreen work of Tessa Thompson, who plays King Valkyrie. Her leadership, relentless devotion to her kingdom, and dedication to her friends makes her one of my favorite characters.

The film Thor: Thunder and Love teaches us that the most profound mission in life is helping others; a second powerful theme is the power of love. Whether the love is between friends, spouses, or parent and child, when gifted with the chance to experience it, you should embrace the opportunity. Note: there is a scene where Thor is stripped of his clothing and the camera flashes to his exposed back side.

Thanks to this film I now consider myself a Marvel fan. I give Thor: Thunder and Love 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Thor: Thunder and Love releases in theaters July 8, 2022.

By Hanadie K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 11

see youth comments
movie reviews, by kids for kids,thor,love and thunder,Taika Waititi,Marvel Cinematic Universe,appetite for destruction,Avengers: Endgame,Chris Hemsworth,Guardians of the Galaxy,Marvel Universe,Gorr the God Butcher,Christian Bale,Natalie Portman,Zeus
You too can become a film critic!
KIDS FIRST! Goes Local: Submit a review & win!
Kid Critic video review by
JUDE ADLER
Kid Critic video review by
ETHAN X. PERSTEN
Kid Critic video review by
TIANA SIRMANS
Kid Critic video review by
HANADIE BAZZELLE-KEYES

NEW SEARCH
Entertainment News for Kids:
Join KIDS FIRST! on Twitter Join KIDS FIRST! on YouTube Join KIDS FIRST! on Instagram Join KIDS FIRST! on Tik Tok Join KIDS FIRST! on Facebook