Marvel fans, and 80’s pop fans, this one’s for you!
Thor: Ragnarok is one of my absolute favorite Marvel films. It combines the excitement of comic book science fiction with tons of humor and playfulness, and pays homage to the cheesy 1980s which I loved so much. Even though the universal stakes in this film are incredibly high, the film doesn’t get bogged down in the cosmic weeds like so many other science fiction films.
About two-thirds through the film, when Hulk is finally able to change back to Bruce Banner (thanks to an archived video message from Black Widow), he no longer has clothes that fit his human form. Thor gives Banner a change of clothes belonging to Tony Stark, which includes a t-shirt displaying an album cover from what iconic 80’s music band? As a bonus, what is the album title?
And the answer is:
Her name is Rio and she dances on the sand…
Duran Duran
This iconic 1980s album cover suits Tony Stark perfectly, and clashes humorously with Bruce Banner’s confused state in Ragnarok. One of the most popular singles from the album Rio is “Hungry Like the Wolf,” which subtly foreshadows Hela’s large Asgardian wolf-pet Fenris, who battles Thor and Hulk as they fight for Asgard’s survival.
The sights, the sounds, the music, and Jeff Goldblum. These all scream 1980s, and Thor: Ragnarok is full of them.
Did you catch this Easter Egg the first time through the film? It’s just one of many glorious 80’s references in the film.
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