Thor is fairly well known to comic book geeks like me, but to the rest of the world he is part of the Avengers, a team of Marvel superheroes that includes Iron Man.
The “comic book hero movie” is the hardest genre next to comedy to do well.
Thor has the strength to win over audiences. Director Kenneth Branaugh, an actor with several director credits under his belt, starts the movie in present day. As scientist Jane Foster (played by Natalie Portman) and she and her team, Dr. Selvig (Stellan Skargard: King Arthur, Ronin) and Darcy (Kat Denning: Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist), are researching in the desert by night, they come across a strange flash. In their van, they race to find out what it was and literally run into Thor, who is knocked on his back.
Thor is played by Chris Hemsworth (Star Trek). In the comic book, Thor has a mythical look of a god with a handsome chiseled face and muscles. Hemsworth is perfectly cast as that. And of course, as Jane tries to find out who Thor is, there is an immediate attraction between the two.
In a flashback scene, we are told how Thor was sent Earth. Thor is heir to the throne of Asgard. His father is Odin, played by the one-and-only Anthony Hopkins. Odin has maintained peace with the Frost Giants, who were major losers in a large scale war with Asgard, through diplomacy and by keeping a large bluestone that is important to the Frost Giants. Thor is arrogant and believes fighting is the way to win respect.
During a ceremony, the Frost Giants try to steal the bluestone back, but Odin’s security contains the situation. Thor deems robbery attempt a sign of disrespect and wants to visit the Frost Giants’ on their turf to confront them. Odin forbids Thor from retaliating. But…
Thor, his band of fighting friends and brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), set off for the Frost Giants’ area. Things don’t go well there, but Thor and his band are rescued by Odin. An outraged Odin banishes Thor to Earth and strips his powers.
On earth, Thor learns compassion through Jane and discovers things about the planet. We learn that Loki is Thor’s half-brother – his other half is Frost Giant. It seems weird but provides a different villain twist that is handled well.
The special effects were above good, but not great, and contribute to the storyline. The storyline explains a lot without being confusing.
I like cameos with characters from other movies; Thor has S.H.I.E.L.D agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) from Iron Man investigating Thor and his arrival on earth.
The cast with Hemsworth, Portman and Hopkins is amazing. There are comedic and heroic moments that make Thor stand out. Thor has some great moments involving his hammer. I am not sure what Thor looks like in 3-D. I saw it in 2-D, and still Thor was bigger than life. But waiting to see it on the small screen will not do.
Edited by Michele Ristich Gatts
No comments:
Post a Comment