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He may not be the lead, but Jeff Goldblum is the star, stealing every scene he’s in throughout the greatest film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Let the games begin.
Goldblum has rarely been Goldblumier – a high bar to exceed – than he is as The Grandmaster, an ancient, god-like Elder of the Universe, currently ruling over the garbage planet of Sakaar where he pits champions against each other in epic gladiatorial contests. It’s here that Chris Hemsworth’s Thor ends up after being banished from Asgard by his sister, Hela (Cate Blanchett, getting in touch with her glorious inner ham), and is forced to face off against Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk in The Grandmaster’s arena. Tom Hiddleston’s Loki is here too, because of course he is.
A bunch of other stuff happens but we’re here for the Gold: introduced with a psychedelic backing track of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory song Pure Imagination, The Grandmaster is resplendent in golden robes with blue eyeliner and nail polish – as much a tiny nod to Goldblum’s Earth Girls Are Easy look as it is an accent on his Marvel character’s comic book origins. Director and MIFF Accelerator alumni Taika Waititi (Boy, MIFF 2010; Eagle vs Shark, MIFF 2007) has let the actor off the leash, giving him free rein to improvise his way through the script; it’s a genius move, Goldblum’s innate Goldbluminess lifting the comedic chops of all those around him and helping elevate an already excellent film into ‘10 Goldblums out of a possible 10 Goldblums’ territory. Don’t forget to stay awake for the post-credit scene.
“Jeff Goldblum is Jeff Goldblum, and everything he touches, has the opportunity to become a Jeff Goldblum. So by proxy, Thor: Ragnarok is Jeff Goldblum.” – Vice
