10 Best Sci-Fi Movies Of 2017

With its '80s-inspired soundtrack and super retro production design, there's no getting away from the fact that Thor: Ragnarok wants to be taken as a blockbuster-sized fantasy romp. Especially since it nabs one of its main conceits from the Planet Hulk run of comic books, pitting Thor against Bruce Banner in a gladiatorial arena that could have come right out of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.

'Nostalgia" is certainly the word here, as writer/director Taika Waititi unleashes what is arguably the funniest and most self-aware Marvel Cinematic Universe entry to date. Best known for the brilliant comedies What We Do in the Shadows and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Waititi was permitted to bring his own comic sensibilities to the MCU, crafting a fun and imaginative adventure yarn, if a tad inconsequential.

Even if the story is a bit on the "been there, done that" side of things, though, Ragnarok remains a blast from start to finish, not only as a result of hilariously wink-wink, nudge nudge performances from Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Jeff Goldblum, but from Waititi himself, who voices Korg the Kronan and pretty much steals the movie.