Thor

Welcome to another episode Lights....Camera....Popcorn!

Today's review is Thor. Directed by Kenneth Branagh. Written by Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz & Son Payne. Screen story by J. Michael Straczynski & Mark Protosevich. Based on the comic book created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Larry Lieber.

Review #116

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of sci fi violence and action.

Runtime: 114 min

Cast

Chris Hemsworth - Thor

Natalie Portman - Jane Foster

Tom Hiddleston - Loki

Anthony Hopkins - Odin

Stellan Skarsgård - Erik Selvig

Kat Dennings - Darcy Lewis

Clark Gregg - Agent Coulson

Idris Elba - Heimdall

Colm Feore - King Laufey

Ray Stevenson - Volstagg

Tadanobu Asano - Hogun

Josh Dallas - Fandral

Jaimie Alexander - Sif

Rene Russo - Frigga


The vast and wonderful world of comic book films have been helmed by some of hollywood's best and visionary director's. Richard Donner, Sam Raimi, Ang Lee, Bryan Singer, Zack Snyder, Jon Favreau and of course Christopher Nolan. And now we have Kenneth Branagh.

Kenneth Branagh? Really? Mr. Henry V, Mr. Hamlet,  Mr. Shakespeare Kenneth Branagh? Directing a Marvel comic book film? Yup that Kenneth Branagh. He was tasked with not only directing the film that would jump start the summer blockbuster season. But begin Marvel Studios very publicized plan to continue the crossover of 3 films that would lead to the genre's most ambitious undertaking ever.

My friends....Marvel's plan has gotten off to a GREAT start!

Thor is the son of Odin, King of Asgard. A mystical realm that exists among earth and other realms. On the day Thor was to be appointed the future king of Asgard, the city is attacked by a race of people that fought a massive war against Asgard centuries ago. Bound for vengeance, Thor disobeys his father and travels to the land of the attackers along with his brother Loki and several other warriors. This act breaks a truce that lasted years between the two realms. Thor's impetuous nature and defiance forces Odin's hand and banishes him to earth. Powerless and alone Thor wanders around New Mexico searching for a way to return home. Along the way he meets three humans that he comes to care for.

That is the bare bones plot of a film that much more rooted inside. I really enjoyed this story mainly because Thor is not your everyday run of the mill superhero. In fact he's not a superhero at all. He's a god. The god of thunder to be exact. He doesn't acquire superpowers, he's already born with them. Very similar to Superman with the exception that Thor doesn't need to conceal his identity to the real world. What really made this film compelling was the dynamic between Thor, Odin and Loki. Thor being the elder sibling, he is the next in line to take the throne of Asgard. This could have played into a sibling rivalry angle but the film goes another way.

This is best represented by the cast. Hemsworth plays Thor with just the right amount of arrogance and attitude mixed in with humility. Not once are you against him even though his actions could have cost the lives of his loved ones. Hiddleston as Loki is equally impressive. His character is very cunning and deliberate. His power is no greater or lesser than Thor's but he finds a away to upstage his brother when deemed necessary to serve his needs. Finally there's the great Anthony Hopkins as Odin. The man just owns the character. After seeing him as the all father, there's no one else I could imagine playing him. The respect he commands by his people is prevalent from frame one to end credits.

And it's here where Branagh's talents are best displayed. Having performed in several works of Shakespeare, he tackles the family feuding between father and his two sons very well. Especially when a crown is at stake. The film when Asgard is the showcase plays like a Shakespearean tale. You forget that this is a comic book movie. It has more of a fantasy feel to it. The pacing of the film is also pretty good. At a shade over 2 hours (trailers included) Thor moves rather well. You're not sitting there waiting for the next fight to happen. The back and forth between Earth and Asgard keep you ingrained with both worlds so your interest doesn't fall into fatigue.

Of course Branagh doesn't allow you to forget that Thor is indeed a comic book. He does this by displaying some pretty cool action set pieces. Starting with the fight between Thor, his warriors and the Ice Giants to the final fight against Loki. The action is hard, fast and LOUD! It's balanced well enough between the non action scenes which contain several very cool hints of the future Avengers film including the introduction of a future Avengers character. Speaking of which. Make sure you stay until after the end credits. Just like Iron Man, Iron Man II and here with Thor there's an easter egg scene that continues the lead up to the Avengers crossover film.

On the 5 star scale. Thor gets 4 stars. With a "Worth Every Penny" recommendation.

The summer blockbuster season has officially begun and Marvel has kicked it off with a BANG!

That's a wrap for today. Up next is Priest. This film scares me a bit. It was made Scott Stewart. He was the same moron that made last year's Worst Film of The Year....Legion. I'm holding out a little bit of hope here because Priest is an adaptation of a graphic novel and Legion was a very unoriginal original idea.

We'll see.

Until Next Episode...."I'll Save You A Seat!"

"D"