THE PLOT
Marvel Comics’ take on Norse mythology get a big screen outing. Thor, God of Thunder, son of Odin, brother to Loki is banished to Earth having gone against his father’s will, having potentially started another war against old enemies the Frost Giants of Jötunheimr. The stress of this descends Odin into illness enticing the mischievous Loki to seize the throne, having lived in his brother’s shadow these many years. Thor’s comrades-in-arms, suspicious of Loki’s part in Odin’s illness and Thor’s exile, use the mythological Bifrost Bridge to travel to Earth to bring back their leader. Loki sends a magical warrior to stop them, tearing apart small-town New Mexico in the process.
THE REVIEW
The plot is Cain and Able type stuff, with muscles and magic. Chris Hemsworth is Thor in his first major studio outing and holds up well as an all-action lead. Natalie Portman played what really amounted to a supporting roll, but as watchable and easy on the eye as ever. Anthony Hopkins was stereotyped as the cantankerous old man Odin and apart from his voice doesn’t really add to the film, but nor does he detract; a nothing performance really, however important to the storyline.
As much as Hopkins performance was of a type, so too was Stellan Skarsgård’s as the professor-type. No bad thing in this instance, as the character was more likeable than others (Good Will Hunting) and he always seems to give his characters depth with seemingly minimal effort. Some reviews have credited Tom Hiddleston’s Loki as being the outstanding performance and find of the film, but for my money he seemed no better than many English-accented baddies, but certainly no worse.
The CGI in the fight scene against the Frost Giants was excellent but too heavy handed in the vistas and cityscape of Asgard, home of the Gods. There’s not much to this film, it serves to setup yet another origin story of a character from the forthcoming Avengers film, but does so in an enjoyable fashion.
Once again the use of 3D was of no benefit and pointless, save to fill the coffers of the big Hollywood studios and perhaps to reduce potential piracy. Of course, the latter argument is invalidated by the fact that they also released it in 2D!
IMPORTANT: Watch to the end of the credits. Nuff said!
THE VERDICT
Probably not the best comic book adaptation you’ll see this year but enjoyable enough not to be disappointing. Plenty of action and some laughs to boot.
TC
THE REVIEW
The plot is Cain and Able type stuff, with muscles and magic. Chris Hemsworth is Thor in his first major studio outing and holds up well as an all-action lead. Natalie Portman played what really amounted to a supporting roll, but as watchable and easy on the eye as ever. Anthony Hopkins was stereotyped as the cantankerous old man Odin and apart from his voice doesn’t really add to the film, but nor does he detract; a nothing performance really, however important to the storyline.
As much as Hopkins performance was of a type, so too was Stellan Skarsgård’s as the professor-type. No bad thing in this instance, as the character was more likeable than others (Good Will Hunting) and he always seems to give his characters depth with seemingly minimal effort. Some reviews have credited Tom Hiddleston’s Loki as being the outstanding performance and find of the film, but for my money he seemed no better than many English-accented baddies, but certainly no worse.
The CGI in the fight scene against the Frost Giants was excellent but too heavy handed in the vistas and cityscape of Asgard, home of the Gods. There’s not much to this film, it serves to setup yet another origin story of a character from the forthcoming Avengers film, but does so in an enjoyable fashion.
Once again the use of 3D was of no benefit and pointless, save to fill the coffers of the big Hollywood studios and perhaps to reduce potential piracy. Of course, the latter argument is invalidated by the fact that they also released it in 2D!
IMPORTANT: Watch to the end of the credits. Nuff said!
THE VERDICT
Probably not the best comic book adaptation you’ll see this year but enjoyable enough not to be disappointing. Plenty of action and some laughs to boot.
TC
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Writers: Ashley Miller (as Ashley Edward Miller), Zack Stentz & Don Payne (screenplay), J. Michael Straczynski & Mark Protosevich (story), Stan Lee, Larry Lieber & Jack Kirby (comic book)
Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård & Rene Russo
Running Time: 114 Mins
NOW SEE THE TRAILER...
UK Release Date: 27th April 2011
