Movie Review: Thor
- Details
- Category: New Series and Movie Reviews
- Published: Thursday, 05 May 2011 18:55
- Written by Lupe Haas
Chris Hemsworth, the God of Thunder from the land down under, proves himself a worthy Marvel comic book hero in THOR.
The Marvel comic book comes to life on the big screen in THOR starring a relative newcomer from Australia alongside Academy Award-winners Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman. However, it isn't the Oscar winners who stand out in THOR.
In the fantastical realm of Asgard, Thor, the soon to be king, wields his hammer with great arrogance. He is powerful but immature. When he disobeys his father, King Odin (Hopkins) and attacks their enemy, Odin casts out the God of Thunder to live among the humans on Earth, stripping him of his powers. When he lands on Earth, he doesn't realize he is now like the humans - just an average Joe.
Meanwhile back on Asgard, his supportive brother Loki begs his father to bring back Thor, that is until he discovers a dark secret kept from him by his father. On Earth, Thor is helped by scientist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and her mentor (Stellan Skarsgard), but one of them doesn't believe his story.
Photo Gallery: THOR Movie Stills
Aussie Chris Hemsworth certainly looks the part of a Nordic god with his God-like stature and brawny physique. At first a bearded super hero seemed far-fetched but Chris Hemsworth wears it well. He plays the arrogance over the top, but it works well in the story especially when he arrives on Earth proclaiming his status as a god. Those are some of the funniest moments on screen. When Thor realizes his errors of his way, you sort of miss that arrogance about him and he becomes in a way dull. Imagine Tony Stark losing some of that selfishness - boring.
Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman lacked chemistry as a potential love interest. Neither actor really clicked with each other. It may not have been helped by the weak women roles. Natalie Portman's dialogue often times seemed cheesy and too giddy for a character that's supposed to be a scientist. She's no Scully.
Movie Clip: Thor Stripped of Powers
The stronger relationships in THOR are between father and his two sons. Tom Hiddleston as Loki is a welcome departure as the low-key villain of the film. While Chris Hemsworth played the arrogance over the top, Tom was very subtle in his acting. And you believe Anthony Hopkins is this all-powerful god.
The father/son drama plays out throughout the film and eventually that is what holds the film together. The dramatic porton of the film clearly has actor/director Kenneth Branaugh's stamp all over it. As a thespian, Branaugh brings that Greek tragedy feel to the action movie. Once the story leaves Asgard, we lose some of that with the human characters who aren't as interesting or dynamic.
Once the action takes place on Earth, the tone is more humorous with a handful of laugh out loud one-liners. Iron Man set that tone and it carries on in this Marvel adaptation which is appropriate given these superheroes will come together in The Avengers.
THOR looked great on the IMAX 3D screen but it didn't add too much more of a viewing experience than watching it on a 2D screen.
THOR is no Iron Man but the film is quite entertaining although silly at times but a little of both never hurt anyone.
And as usual, stay until the end credits for a bonus scene.
THOR is in movie theaters May 6, 2011.
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