Thor (2011)

[Anthony G Williams]

Yet another US superhero film, this time giving a contemporary science-fictional twist to the myths of the Norse gods and acquiring an upmarket gloss by being directed by Kenneth Branagh, the Shakespearean actor/director.

The plot is set on three of the nine Norse "realms" (effectively, planets): Asgard, the abode of the gods; Jotunheim, the home of their traditional enemies the Frost Giants; and Midgard, our very own Earth. Thor (played by Brad Pitt look-alike, the muscular Chris Hemsworth) is the heir to the throne of Asgard, currently occupied by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins). However, his scheming brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) plots to get Thor into trouble by goading him to attack Jotunheim, for which act of disobedience Odin strips Thor of his magical powers and of his mighty hammer Mjolnir, casting both separately to Midgard.

On present-day Earth, the newly arrived Thor is promptly run over by the vehicle of a scientific research team led by astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), leading to some amusing scenes as he tries to work out what is going on and they try to understand who he is. Hearing that Mjolnir has landed not far away and is being researched by a secretive government organisation, Thor sets off to reclaim his hammer, only to find that it isn't quite as simple as that. Further adventures and battles follow (along with a predictable romantic entanglement) before Thor is able to return to Asgard to challenge his brother, who has been getting up to further mischief in his absence.

Thor is an entertaining film, briskly-paced, well-acted and with a good mix of adventure, supernatural battles, humour and romance. Unlike some reviewers, I much preferred the literally down-to-Earth part, when Thor was an ordinary human, over the stylised and over-dramatised scenes on Asgard and Jotunheim which always looked like, well, fantasy film sets. Despite that reservation I wouldn't have minded watching it all again soon afterwards, which is high praise as I rarely feel that way about a film. A couple of sequels are already planned and I can only hope (albeit without much optimism) that they maintain the standard of the first.

(An extract from my SFF blog)

 

[Starbeast]

Thor is an entertaining film, briskly-paced, well-acted and with a good mix of adventure, supernatural battles, humour and romance. Unlike some reviewers, I much preferred the literally down-to-Earth part, when Thor was an ordinary human, over the stylised and over-dramatised scenes on Asgard and Jotunheim which always looked like, well, fantasy film sets.

I highly agree with you about the Thor film, it was a long awaited treat for me, because I've been a fan of this Asgardian superhero since I was a little kid back in the late sixies.

Another great review Mr Williams

 

[Rosemary Fryth]

Writing from a purely selfish female viewpoint - Thor was 'eye-candy' from start to finish, much like Sean Bean was in the Sharpe series. Of course my husband was endlessly amused at my salivating.

On a less...primal note, I'd have to congratulate Hollywood for choosing Australian actors to play male leads. Regretfully it seems that many well known American male actors may have had just too much plastic surgery and orthodontisty to the end result that they appear...well feminine. The potent masculinity present in actors such as as Russel Crowe, Chris Hemsworth etc cannot be overstated. They look like real men and thus look natural in strong male roles.

 

[rune]

I wasnt that impressed with Thor to be honest. Great special affects, but the acting wasnt as good as Id hoped