I know I’m in the minority, but I’d go as far as to say Ragnarok is my least favourite of the Thor movies.

I enjoyed Waititi’s humour. I enjoyed how he played with all the available toys without restraint, without planning for twenty-two sequels. I enjoyed his honesty in telling his story. That film works well as a stand-alone comedy.

On the other hand, you’re right: it was difficult to take the threat seriously when there are jokes every five minutes. In fact, in that context, unceremoniously killing off the Warriors three seemed pretty callous.

I also had problems with how small Asgard suddenly was. In the first two movies, Asgardians were a race of celestial warriors who watched over the nine realms; they were a serious universal power. In Ragnarok, they are reduced to a small contingent of effete courtiers with an army so small that it can be wiped out in a single battle by one (admittedly pretty dangerous) individual. I mean, the entirety of Asgard’s population fits into one ship... How many are they, two hundred or so? And instead of a warrior race, they were all scared civilians... That just didn’t work for me.

Because of the comedic nature of the film, Thor’s growth as a character also proceeded in an unexpected direction. In the first film, he was an unpleasant jock who learned humility and the importance of self-sacrifice. In the second one, he assumed his responsibilities and refused a throne that would have prevented him to do what was right. In the third, well... he doesn't grow much. It’s all action-reaction, with jokes about losing his hammer and having his homeland ravaged by the goddess of death. (That’s part of why I was thrilled to have the Patrick Doyle theme reappear at the end of Ragnarok, when Thor is crowned king of Asgard. it hearkened back to a more serious vision of the character).

I hope we’ll get to hear it again in Avengers: endgame (and hopefully not for Thor’s funeral!!!)