When it was first announced that Kenneth Branagh, the king of Shakespearean movies, was to direct a film based on a Marvel character, I thought, has the world gone mad? How wrong was I. This is a cracking adventure film helped by top notch performances.
Thor, the son of Odin, is in line to rule the land of Asgard, until an act of arrogance and the threat of war makes his father banish him from his world and sends him, powerless to Earth, along with his weapon, a mighty hammer that is stuck in the ground like Excalibur's sword. While Thor tries to adapt to life as a moral on Earth, his father is dying and Thor's brother Loki, sees this as an opportunity to become King and to stop Thor from ever returning.
This is a magical fantasy film and the first of this year's blockbusters and what a way to start. At over two hours, it zips through quickly, thanks to some very impressive visuals and strong performances from all.
Chris Hemsworth, more famous for his time on Australian soap Home and Away, makes for an impressive leading male as the blonde haired superhero, bringing a sense of charm to a role that could quite easily be one-dimensional. Natalie Portman (who seems to be in every movie this year) is fine as the human love interest Jane. Her role is the most underwritten of them all, as she doesn't get to play anything else but the pretty, brainy girl. Tom Hiddleston gets to play slimy bad as Loki and Anthony Hopkins throws his Shakespearan weight around as Odin, stealing every scene he is in. (Even unconscious he commands the screen).
While those who like their Marvel heroes all action and nothing else might be a little disappointed as there are time for plot development and character building, but this is a very satisfying adaptation and one of Marvel's better films, helped by Branagh making his actors believe everything they say and do, while there are moments of light humour to help things along.
If I do have one complaint, it is a regular one. Why, oh why is this film in 3D? There is absolutely nothing 3D about it and could be compared to Clash of the Titans as the most pointless use for the process. The only time you really notice it is during the credits. So as a word of advice, go and see the 2D version. It is cheaper and probably more entertaining.
With Captain America coming soon, the hopes for The Avengers next year being a cracker is looking good if it can match this super fun movie.
Word of warning: If you do go and see this terrific blockbuster, do not, under any circumstance, leave the cinema till the end credits finish. There is a short scene at the end that is important for the future of Thor (and I'm not giving away anything).
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