I thought it was fine, but I have pretty much no expectations from a Marvel film. I went more for the Waititi connection, and I enjoyed it. Bale was great (though indeed he could've been used more), and Portman's arc could've been better exploited... but apart from that, it's pretty much what I was going for, and I was decently entertained. It's pretty much the same film as Ragnarok, for what it's worth, in terms of structure, tone, rock vibe, and I think people's reactions to it are more due to the fact the novelty has passed to an extent. It's a much better film than the Doctor Strange one also, which was terrible.
Don't really care about how it ties in to the MCU or its place in phase 47389 of the series or whatever, as a standalone film it's fine (nothing more) and enjoyable, and the mate I watched it with, who has seen pretty much no other Marvel films, enjoyed it too (though I had to fill in a few blanks for him).
Don't really care about how it ties in to the MCU or its place in phase 47389 of the series or whatever, as a standalone film it's fine (nothing more) and enjoyable, and the mate I watched it with, who has seen pretty much no other Marvel films, enjoyed it too (though I had to fill in a few blanks for him).