Thor – Review

Reviews, Theatrical Reviews, Top Story

Kenneth Branagh presents William Shakespeare’s Thor

Not all comic book movies are created equal. If they were, then there wouldn’t be the need to restart a franchise after one movie. That difficulty in trying to make the leap to the big screen hasn’t been lost on Marvel Comics, as we’ve already seen two different actors play The Punisher and the Incredible Hulk within a five-year span. The inability for audiences to connect with a computerized green giant may be Hulk’s Achilles heel. And it gives credence to Kermit the Frog’s expression about greens not having it so easy.

Superheroes like Superman, Batman, and Spider-Man have a rich mythology to match their cool costumes and special abilities (or gadgets in the case of Batman).  Those superheroes that don’t click immediately when brought up in conversation, you have to worry about them. They’re the ones who have the tougher time in making the translation to film. Knowing this filmmakers have to work hard to ensure that viewers take them seriously when they are brought to the big screen. If not, you’re likely to get something as silly as Fantastic Four and its sequel.

Thor could have been one of those characters that gets mishandled by the creative forces and made to look like a goof. The Norse God of Thunder presented here isn’t a goof at all.  Chris Hemsworth plays Thor as an Adonis. He walks with purpose and has a grin that would make ice melt. As for the movie, Thor is earth-shattering; a rousing mythological adventure that makes Clash of the Titans look like a quarrel between dwarfs. Okay, forget this hyperbole. Just know that Thor is the best Marvel Studios effort since the first Iron Man.

Though the outlook isn’t so rosy at the start. Kenneth Branagh, the auteur behind the cinematic adaptations of five Shakespeare works, next to Christopher Nolan is probably the best outside-the-box choice we’ve had to helm a comic book movie. His love of “The Bard” shows through as he orchestrates the family rivalry that exists between father and son, and brother and brother on planet Asgard. Imagine Mount Olympus, Disney’s Magic Kingdom and outer space all rolled into one mythical package. And this is where Marvel’s gamble will pay off or come back broke. Audiences must be able to buy a mythical superhero that takes his fight from Asgard to New Mexico and back again. Getting an audience to react to heroes fighting on Earth is one thing. Jumping from location to location could prove a distraction.

Thor, unlike some of its contemporaries, is two stories in one two-hour package. Like an elaborate double-sized issue, we have the Thor of Asgard and the Thor who is banished to Earth. The Thor of Asgard is an impetuous prince, who walks with a powerful swagger, but lets his Mjolnir (mega-hammer) do the talking. A powerful warrior, his strength leads to impatience and reveals a lack of wisdom. Father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) disappointed in how Thor reacts when the Asgard stronghold is invaded by villainous Frost Giants, strips him of his powers and banishes his son to Earth.  And you thought your parents taking away your cell phone privileges was tough.

Crash-landing in New Mexico everything becomes conventional, but no less entertaining. The Land of Enchantment is actually where the movie is at its most engaging. Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgard and Kat Dennings were in the desert conducting Astrophysics research when they witnessed Thor’s intergalactic fall from grace. They rescue the stranger but are unsure what to do with him. As far as the function of these characters, just know that Portman is the astronomy leader / potential love interest, Skarsgard is the aging scientist / non-believer in Thor being the “Thor,” and Kat Dennings is our comic relief for the evening.

While Thor’s comeuppance is deserved, his trip back to Asgard isn’t a guarantee. If he is to get back to his home planet he must first be accustomed to humility before he can discover his true purpose as a hero. As if dealing with inner strife wasn’t enough, Thor has to contend with his shifty little bro (Tom Hiddleston), Loki, a giant fire-shooting robot, tasers, agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and a lack of coffee (he really likes it).  To make sure the creators cover all the bases, they also throw in some little Marvel references.

Had Chris Hemsworth not appeared as Kirk’s dad in Star Trek, people would be clamoring to know where this guy came from. Nevertheless, women will be ogling his muscular frame to the point where it borders on predatory. To ensure this happens, Hemsworth goes topless in one or two scenes. The female co-stars may not disrobe but they do spice things up. Portman and Dennings as a pair of astro-nerd lovelorns, Going galactic you have Rene Russo as Thor’s mom and Jaimie Alexander as Thor’s butt-kicking warrior friend.

If Chris Hemsworth is the film’s liver, then Anthony Hopkins is the fava beans and Chianti to go with it. Instead of being showy, Hopkins plays Odin with gravitas. Considering that he once portrayed the downfall of a Roman general in Titus, based on the William Shakespeare tragedy Titus Andronicus, it is fitting that Branagh is the one to direct him here.

Through sheer will and determination Marvel Studios has once again upped its game and delivered a competent comic book movie that fans of the genre will enjoy. Full of digital effects, humor and sibling scheming, Kenneth Branagh has taken a difficult superhero and given him newfound glory on the big screen. As an aside, do yourself a favor a skip the 3-D surcharge and pick up some popcorn instead. This 3-D conversion won’t get the women closer to touching Hemsworth’s abs, I’m afraid.


Director: Kenneth Branagh
Notable Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgard, Kat Dennings, Clark Gregg, Colm Feorge, Idris Elba, Anthony Hopkins, Rene Russo, Jaimie Alexander
Writer(s): Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz, and Don Payne; based on the “Thor” comic created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby

Travis Leamons is one of the Inside Pulse Originals and currently holds the position of Managing Editor at Inside Pulse Movies. He's told that the position is his until he's dead or if "The Boss" can find somebody better. I expect the best and I give the best. Here's the beer. Here's the entertainment. Now have fun. That's an order!