Review of Thor (2011) by Joanna B — 01 Mar 2016

Falling back on his Shakespearian roots, director Kenneth Branagh brings a certain thesbian reverence and stature to the loosely historical Marvel Comic , Thor.

In Asgard, the serene and beautiful mythological centre of the ethereal realm; gods quarrel over dominance and stature. King Odin (Anthony Hopkins) its ruler has tried to teach his diametrically opposed sons; the arrogant warrior Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and underhanded strategist Loki (Tom Hiddleston), patience and tolerance in preparation to announce his successor.

Promoted ahead of his envious brother, Thor is to be anointment. However, during the ceremony the sacred weapons vault is breached and an enraged Thor defies Odin's explicit orders of diplomacy and mounts an attack party to avenge this insolent act and reinforce exactly who is in charge.

Impetuously entering the frozen celestial realm of Jotunheim with a small band of warriors, Thor confronts its ruler Laufey (Colm Feore) reigniting an ancient war and requiring his fathers rescue. Punished for recklessly disobedience, Thor is stricken of his powers and banished to live amongst the humans on earth.

Landing in a remote part of the New Mexican desert, Thor literally crashes into the 4WD of a small scientific team investigating deep space disturbances; the eager young astrophysicist, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) her mentor Professor Andrews (Stellan Skarsgard) and their not-so-science-savvy intern Darcy (Kat Denning) validating their findings.

His presence quickly attracts unwanted attention when Thor is becomes targeted by a secret government agency known as SHEILD. On scene to arrest Thor and confiscate Jane's hard earned research, Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) creates a containment barrier around Thor's hammer of thunder. Cast down by Odin until a "warrior worthy of it" can pry it from the stone it which it is now encased, Coulson wants answers.

Embracing humanity and learning the value of humbleness, Can Thor once again take possession of his hammer and stand fearlessly as a human protector against invasion by a god?

Marvel first expanded its lore to the realm of the mythical gods and Norse legends by launching the comic 'The Mighty Thor' in 1962. With superpowers (we now take for granted), viewers jump smoothly from these mythical environments to the human world accepting common drama themes of sibling rivalry, father son relationships, territorial gain, vanity and recklessness.

In 2011, Marvel studios delivers genuine adventure as it marries magic, science and mythology creating a contemporary muscular tone with sizeable effects and embracing the hyper-current 3D function for subtle depth.

Well paced so we don't dwell on the slightly more clunky and cheesy flaws, ex home and away star the Aussie hunk Hemsworth delivers a less brutal killer more mild mannered god of thunder from down under. The always regal Hopkins steals his short scenes, Hiddleston is impressive as the trickiest of gods and Portman is soft as the mortal love interest.

The shinning standout for this grand fantasy is its attention to graphic detail. The electro-plasma flashes in the circular storms, the fearful blue baddies with sharp icicles spears for hands and the amazing translucent 'bridge' made of.

Multicoloured glass with an ornate metallic gold spinning globe all promote the films underlying themes of good and evil whilst accentuating the stories main message of humanity.

The Verdict: With a waterfall promise of a sequel or two, Thor links the realms. A great boys romp whilst not being mind numbing for the girls, this movie has a lightness of humor, a plethora of action and is great all round escapism.

Published: The Queanbeyan Age.

Date of Publication: 29/04/2011.