2011: The Year in Film: "Thor" review.

Thor Marvel movie studios are embarking on perhaps the most unique and ambitious undertaking in the history of film. Without their three most high-profile properties (Spider Man, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four - owned by Sony and Fox), they are in the midst of creating a comprehensive universe where each movie builds on the one before it and events and characters reverberate throughout the films to create a larger narrative the likes of which are common in the world of comic books but as to yet unheard of in film. This is all building towards 2012's "The Avengers", currently filming, in which the stars of Iron Man, Thor and Captain America join with the Hulk and other various SHIELD characters to form Marvel's A-list team. As a true blue Marvel comics nerd growing up, I, for one, am pumped to see how it turns out. Captain America comes out later this summer, and there's the last piece of the Avengers puzzle. Now, onto Thor itself. The powers that be over at Marvel basically have the origin tale down to a science at this point.. and Thor is no exception.

I'm going to admit, I didn't have high hopes for this one. Thor's mythology is pretty damn nonsensical, even for comics. To make a long story short, he's the actual Norse god of thunder of myth, who wields a mythical hammer, Mjolnir, which he's able to throw and use to summon thunder and windstorms and the like. He and the other figures of Norse myth, primarily his father, Odin, and brother, Loki, reside in Asgard, a transdimensional plane. Thor, a great, but proud and vain warrior is banished to earth by his father for inciting an ancient foe to war. Thor, powerless, is trapped on earth until he can learn humility and become a worthy heir to his father's throne. On earth, he is happened upon by a group of scientists investigating the astronomical phenomena resulting from these trans-dimensional trips. On earth, SHIELD has found his hammer, and is trying to decipher what it and the phenomena are exactly. See what I mean? Completely nonsensical, and if the film took itself too seriously, you'd be completely crushed beneath the preposterous weight of this pretentious nonsense. Luckily, the flick does it all with a wink and a grin, recognizing that this is about a comic book character and should be fun.

Chris Hemsworth, in the title role, takes the part with aplomb. He brings a swagger and a joy to the role that permeates the entire film. Just as Downey is perfect in Iron Man, Hemsworth, heretofore most recognizable for playing George Kirk in the first 5 minutes of 2009's "Star Trek" reboot, makes the role his and manages to be charming and convincing all while bringing the requisite physicality to a role that requires a physically imposing presence. The film jumps back and forth from Asgard to Earth seamlessly and effectively, and despite the possibly confusing forces at work, the film remains surprisingly easy to follow. Personally, I enjoyed the scenes with the Asgardians more.. as they featured stronger characterization from Anthony Hopkins, a surprisingly nuanced villain in Thor's brother Loki, and Mr. Stringer Bell himself, Idris Elba as Asgard's gatekeeper. Thor's battle-hardened comrades in arms are good for a laugh or 3 as well. On earth, the typically strong Stellan Skarsgard plays a mentor scientist and is very strong in his role. Kat Dennings is comic relief and Natalie Portman is the love interest, a scientist named Jane Foster, whose experiments happen across the gateway to Asgard. If there's a weak spot in the cast, it's a lack of characterization for Portman's character. Actually, not even a lack of characterization... a lack of explanation for why she and Thor fall for each other other than they are both sexy people. But considering the deep cast, rather complex plot and relatively short running time (under 2 hours), that's not a huge surprise.

Shakespearean actor and director Kenneth Branagh directs, and despite the seeming discord between director and material, he proves to be more than up to the task. The film remains light and fun, while appropriately tense in parts, and looks amazing. While creating other dimensions and worlds, if that's not done properly it can come off all wrong, but Asgard looks incredible.. so kudos to the effects team.




In all, this is a fun time at the movies, and well worth the price of admission. Marvel is now 4 for 4 in independently produced flicks (the Ed Norton Hulk, Iron Man, and Iron Man 2 being the others), and I would say that after Iron Man, this is their strongest effort to date. Consider me 100% pumped for "Captain America" and next year's "Avengers".. oh, and there's a post-credits Easter egg as w/ all Marvel Movies.

8/10.