THOR

With Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Kat Dennings, Colm Feore, Rene Russo

Written by Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Don Payne, J. Michael Straczynsk, Mark Protosevich (based on the Marvel comic book characters of Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby)

Directed by Kenneth Branagh

Comic book super heroes are far-fetched from the get-go, so it already requires a buy-in from you to accept this fantasy world. In the case of Thor it takes a more far-out dimension, in that Viking mythology is explained as the adoption and worshiping of a technologically advanced race on another planet.
Asgard sits at the top of the 9 realms and is ruled by warrior gods. Odin is the man in charge and has two sons Thor and Loki.
Thor ruins his succession rights when, after an outburst of childish arrogance almost brings his nation to the brink of war. He is punished by Odin, and banished to earth, without his super powers. Here the fish-out-of-water routine gets some expected coverage as he connects with a group of scientists out in the New Mexico desert. Here a small town becomes the battlefield when enemies and traitors conspire, but Thor's Asgard comrades travel to earth to help him, in the process he learns what it takes to be a true leader.
There are some amazingly elaborate sets and great costumes, wild action and some slapstick moments.

With director Branagh's Shakespearean background, he sees much of those timeless themes of power struggle and personal failings in the subject of Thor, but for many viewers, the sub-text will be overwhelmed by just another digitally enhanced superhero action romp with some really crappy story moments (notching back Oscar winner Natalie Portman's accomplishment with a bit of career low in the role of the secondary science character who gets embroiled in the this inter-galactic saga). Under 13 year olds will love though.

I am however not sure how the Norwegians feel about the fact that their historic mythological culture is said to be the mere result of humans worshiping a guy who visited their earth with his hammer, doing some magic lightning tricks...

This Blu-ray edition includes a commentary track by Branagh, featurettes, (covering the original source material, design, story and most aspects of the production); close on a dozen deleted scenes; a look at the upcoming Avengers bringing together a bunch of Marvel heroes incl. Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, Black Widow, Capt. America & more (a pretty expensive little project, and sure to out-gross all the others at the box office). There is also a Marvel One-Shot short linked to The Avengers, titled The Consultant, and a conversation with Thor creator Stan Lee.

2 / B
- Paul Blom

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
- A - B - C

- A: Multi-Viewing Potential

- B: Could Enjoy A 2nd Look

- C: Once Should Suffice