Marvel movies know what they are doing: clear actions, sharp performances, and intelligent screenplays. We have had Black Widow, Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, and we are getting Captain America, and now we have Thor - the god of thunder. Not only thunder, but fertility and lightening and strength (thanks, Wikipedia). And if everyone can embody strength, fertility, and inclement weather, it is Chris Hemsworth. Tall, blonde, beefy - he must be the cast - and in a movie racked with light hearted hysteria, political intrigue, and Shakespearean grandeur, Kenneth Branagh must be the perfect director.
The movie starts on Asgard, a robust kingdom in another world, where in fact the honored king Odin (Anthony Hopkins) has two boys who both desire the throne: the wry and apt Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and also the haughty and brutally strong Thor (Hemsworth). He lands in New Mexico, in the presence of three scientists. His hammer lands soon afterward, and the hunt is on for him to get it back, with the aid of the experts.
It is fascinating seeing Thor accommodate to his deadly form and become used to life on Earth. What's much more fascinating is Branagh's tonal choices for the movie - it is an amazingly lighthearted take, with attractively designed special effects and 3D, and Branagh knows the way to balance the humor (of which there is a great deal) and also the play (which is heavy). Even if directing Hamlet back in '96, he had a strong grip on finding comedy in tragedy, and vice versa. To get a glance at the really dark side of his own comedy, and a better look at his directorial talents, take a look at Sleuth (2007) with Michael Caine. Most remarkable, regarding the effects, was the utilization of the 3D structure. I understand my readers; they are thinking "…he really enjoyed 3D?" And yes, I did. It served its function, this time; the movie was dimly light, but the 3D action was clear and did not distract from what was going on. 3D generally only makes a movie darker, and this wasn't the situation here.
The performances are what sell pictures such as this. Chris Hemsworth makes Thor believable, regardless of the absolute unbelievability of the narrative and character in general. Kat Dennings and Stellan Skarsgard have unbelievable chemistry as a team, and scenes can be stolen by Skarsgard from anyone he chooses; he is a strong celebrity. Anthony Hopkins mangles a little scenery, but his character is larger than life, so which may come with the terrain.
Smaller performances, however, actually seal the movie together. Idris Elba for a tiny part for a castle guard, and makes a haunting feeling. Rene Russo comes back to the big screen as Thor's mom, and while she is hardly noticeable, she provides what is essentially a cameo with enough to be powerful, without being distracting. It is great to see her again. You know that that it is an Avengers film because Coulson makes a couple of jokes at Tony Stark's cost.
An example of the movie's light hearted tone: "This beverage is delectable! More!" When demanding more wine such as, for instance, a Norse god might, he shouts, and slams his mug on the ground. Portman's immediately motherly reaction kicks off the beginning of a wonderful friendship. Another example: the discovery of the hammer lodged in a stone in the centre of the desert results in a string Sword and the Stone-like attempts to pull it out. There's a cameo that you do not need to lose there. And, as per usual for Marvel, there's a scene after the credits that sets up a movie.
I believe perhaps I have just been spoiled, but the entire movie would just feel different otherwise. This is actually the among the greatest superhero films I have seen in some time, and finest of the Avenger films since the first Iron Man. It is a hell of a beginning for the superhero season, and makes up, definitely, for The Green Hornet. My Captain America review will come out shortly, The Green Lantern after that, then the SpiderMan reboot... even if they end up being awful, at least we have Thor to fall back on.
The movie starts on Asgard, a robust kingdom in another world, where in fact the honored king Odin (Anthony Hopkins) has two boys who both desire the throne: the wry and apt Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and also the haughty and brutally strong Thor (Hemsworth). He lands in New Mexico, in the presence of three scientists. His hammer lands soon afterward, and the hunt is on for him to get it back, with the aid of the experts.
It is fascinating seeing Thor accommodate to his deadly form and become used to life on Earth. What's much more fascinating is Branagh's tonal choices for the movie - it is an amazingly lighthearted take, with attractively designed special effects and 3D, and Branagh knows the way to balance the humor (of which there is a great deal) and also the play (which is heavy). Even if directing Hamlet back in '96, he had a strong grip on finding comedy in tragedy, and vice versa. To get a glance at the really dark side of his own comedy, and a better look at his directorial talents, take a look at Sleuth (2007) with Michael Caine. Most remarkable, regarding the effects, was the utilization of the 3D structure. I understand my readers; they are thinking "…he really enjoyed 3D?" And yes, I did. It served its function, this time; the movie was dimly light, but the 3D action was clear and did not distract from what was going on. 3D generally only makes a movie darker, and this wasn't the situation here.
The performances are what sell pictures such as this. Chris Hemsworth makes Thor believable, regardless of the absolute unbelievability of the narrative and character in general. Kat Dennings and Stellan Skarsgard have unbelievable chemistry as a team, and scenes can be stolen by Skarsgard from anyone he chooses; he is a strong celebrity. Anthony Hopkins mangles a little scenery, but his character is larger than life, so which may come with the terrain.
Smaller performances, however, actually seal the movie together. Idris Elba for a tiny part for a castle guard, and makes a haunting feeling. Rene Russo comes back to the big screen as Thor's mom, and while she is hardly noticeable, she provides what is essentially a cameo with enough to be powerful, without being distracting. It is great to see her again. You know that that it is an Avengers film because Coulson makes a couple of jokes at Tony Stark's cost.
An example of the movie's light hearted tone: "This beverage is delectable! More!" When demanding more wine such as, for instance, a Norse god might, he shouts, and slams his mug on the ground. Portman's immediately motherly reaction kicks off the beginning of a wonderful friendship. Another example: the discovery of the hammer lodged in a stone in the centre of the desert results in a string Sword and the Stone-like attempts to pull it out. There's a cameo that you do not need to lose there. And, as per usual for Marvel, there's a scene after the credits that sets up a movie.
I believe perhaps I have just been spoiled, but the entire movie would just feel different otherwise. This is actually the among the greatest superhero films I have seen in some time, and finest of the Avenger films since the first Iron Man. It is a hell of a beginning for the superhero season, and makes up, definitely, for The Green Hornet. My Captain America review will come out shortly, The Green Lantern after that, then the SpiderMan reboot... even if they end up being awful, at least we have Thor to fall back on.
RSS Feed