Thor
Starring:
Chris
Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston.
Running
time: 115 minutes
Year:
2011
Directed
By: Kenneth
Branagh
Written
By: Ashley
Miller, Zack Stentz & Don Payne.
For those of you that don't know, Thor is a member
of the mega assemble that is The Avengers. Later this year The Avengers hits screens globally and will show several big named
superheroes such as Iron Man, Captain America and The Incredible Hulk. Another
one of these is Thor and that is the reason I believe this film was made, as an
over long trailer for The Avengers movie.
Thor's story just does not seem good enough to warrant an entire movie. The
film is just hinting at the Avengers throughout and if you are not aware of The
Avengers than you may struggle to really understand what is going on. To be
fair nothing really happens so you may find it an easy follow.
It starts in a completely different realm. The realm
that is Asgaard. A place lead by Odin (Hopkins) with two sons, Thor (Hemsworth)
and Loki (Hiddleston). Throughout time Asgaard has been at war with the Frost
Giants and when it is finally resolved Thor stupidly heads back to fight once
again, taking his team of warriors and brother with him. This causes uproar
with his Father who deems him unworthy of being the next King and of his power,
so he casts him out and Thor ends up down on Earth.
He arrives on Earth as three scientist are out in
the dessert looking for a scientific light. Instead what they do is hit a
random man in the middle of a tornado with their van. This man is Thor. As well
as Thor landing on Earth so does his power, the power of his hammer. Aided by
Jane (Porter), one of the scientists, he heads to the location of the hammer,
which is now surrounded by S.H.I.E.L.D agents (This is an Avengers nod). Thor
breaks in but can't move the hammer, his power is no more. From there he must
adapt to human life but a threat on Earth causes him to defend its honour. This
comes about all too easily.
Back up on Asgaard, Odin falls ill and is on the
verge of death meaning a devious Loki takes command and decides that to become
King he needs to kill Thor. This means destroying parts of what Thor has now
become to love, Earth.
The story is weak, I'll give you that. Don't see
this if you expect twists and turns cause you won't get them. Instead you get a
typical jealous family member, a typical love story and a lot of poor humour
and cheesy lines. Such a step back from Iron
Man which is fantastic, especially compared to this.
The film feels too short. It's nearly two hours but
something about it just doesn't make it feel very long. Maybe it's because
nothing ever really happens. The second act is very dull and a lot of
unbelievable change seems to take place. The film is rushed and I was surprised
when I saw it was nearly two hours long.
The opening war on Asgaard is far too long. If they
cut it down they could have made room for considerable character development as
I have to say there is none what so ever. Thor is arrogant, selfish and irresponsible
but over night changes his entire outlook. So much so that he goes from
fighting federal agents to drinking beer (do they do this in other realms) and
then cooking breakfast the next morning with a tea towel over his shoulder.
What the....? Natalie Portman's character must fall in love with every guy she
meets. No development took place upon Thor and Jane's new found love but all of
a sudden it just happened and this was supposed to be the catalyst into Thor's
decision to defend Earth. It is so unbelievable, no development in their
relationship what so ever. Also the other scientists might as well not be there
as they do nothing for the plot, especially Kat Dennings who brings a few
pointless lines. Loki is also not developed, he seems a wimp at the beginning
but, again, overnight manages to become fearless. He already looks sleazy when
we meet him, so it is obvious he will cause some sort of deception.
Despite slating Loki, Hiddleston does play the part
well and it isn't his fault the character just changes, he does manage to play
both attitudes very well. Not a lot can be said with the rest of the acting
however, which isn't great. Hemsworth is ok but Portman is poor. To go from
Oscar Winner for Black Swan to this
is a huge mistake. She may look good in a cheesy, slow motion shot of her
running to aid her beloved Thor, but it does not mean it is a good casting
choice.
In fact most of this film is poor and makes very
little sense as to why they even bothered. Branagh is not the right choice of
director for this kind of film but he does manage to produce some great
effects. The effects in Asgaard are great but the story on Earth is much more
intriguing. See this if you like Marvel or special effects. Avoid if you enjoy
though provoking film.
2
/ 5
Tolli
Next film to review: RAGING BULL
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