Under the creative hand of director Kenneth Branagh, “Thor” is a more layered story than one might expect from a superhero movie. And since it was converted to 3D after it was shot in 2D, skip the uncomfortable glasses, the extra fee and murky scenes. In 2D, you have vibrant colors, a spectacle of special effects and nonblurry action sequences. If there’s a weakness, it’s the central love story is given so little time that it feels nonexistent. The prologue introduces the inhabitants of Asgard: the king, Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and his two sons, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston). An impulsive retaliatory strike by Thor into Jotunhelm, the home of the Frost Giants, with the goal of capturing (or killing) the Asgardians’ enemy, Laufey (Colm Feore), the Frost Giant King, endangers Asgard and enrages Odin. He strips his first-born of his powers and banishes him to Earth. There, Thor is found in the middle of the New Mexico desert by scientists Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard) and Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings). As Thor attempts to adjust to 21st century Earth culture and convince people, including SHIELD agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) and Jane, of this true identity, he begins to learn the lesson Odin intended for him through his banishment. Meanwhile, with Thor out of the way, Loki plots to attain the throne and rule the Nine Realms.
Branagh brings a bit of King Lear, Henry IV and Othello to the subtext of “Thor” although it’s still a superhero action movie. And he also does an effective job with the special effects, especially the bridge that allows travel between realms. In addition, Branagh has assembled a stellar cast. Chris Hemsworth is capable as the God of Thunder, possessing not only the physique and good looks for the part, but the ability to express a range of emotions necessary to show the emotional growth Thor undergoes. Tom Hiddleston demonstrates the conflict Loki has so he becomes less of a clear-cut villain. Unfortunately, the rest of the exceptional cast doesn’t have a lot to do because the script, typically, focuses on the action. Nonetheless, “Thor” is an enjoyable popcorn movie that is better than expected. 5/6/11
1 comment:
"Thor" is the best comic book flick I've seen since "Iron Man". Lots of action and special effects, this is a cut above most of these Saturday morning cartoons and I recommend it for 2 hours of fun.
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