Thor (2011)

Based on the Comic Character "Thor" by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
Story by Mark Protosevich and J. Michael Straczynski
Screenplay by Ashley Miller & Zack Stentz and Don Payne
Directed by Kenneth Branagh

I've always said I though Thor was a terrible property to adapt to the big screen, and that the only reason to do it would be to get him into the Avengers movie. Well, it seems both happened, and only the second one will seemingly make any sense in the long run. That, and the fact that this film grossed its budget overseas before it even opened in a US theater.

The only real problem with this film is the fundamental problem I mentioned. Thor exists in such a fantastical, brightly colored world, that it's tough to relate that to present day America. It's even harder when you have to deal with rainbow bridges, armor that would make Lady Gaga feel stupid, and unexplainable teleportation.

The problem with a film like Thor is it's usually most effective in its natural setting, and here that would be Asgard. If they stuck with the fantasy elements, the film would've worked on every level. The problem is, the whole mythology of Marvel's Thor is that he ends up coming to our present day Earth. So not only is this an epic story of deities, it's a fish-out-of-water comedy. Somehow, those two concepts just never seem to jibe.

Don't be mistaken, this is still a well made, and entertaining film. It just never had the opportunity to even come close to Iron Man or Spider-Man, not only because the character is secondary in popularity, but it's just an odd duck. Thor, in the comics, fits nicely into the brightly colored panels of a comic book, to adapt that style to film is seemingly impossible, as Branagh has made two distinctly separate films. One concerns the mythical Asgard, where Thor has to deal with his own arrogance, family strife, and the competition with his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) for their father Odin's (Anthony Hopkins) throne.

Once Thor is banished to Earth though, it basically becomes an episode of the sitcom Perfect Strangers where the character is so far from this culture, he doesn't understand even the simplest of modern concepts. I understand that's the nature of the character, but did we really need to watch half a movie of "fish out of water" moments?

There are many redeeming qualities, for one, the spectacular cast. Stellan Skarsgard, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Idris Elba, Clark Gregg, Colm Feore, Ray Stevenson...and introducing Chris Hemsworth. From what I've heard in interviews, most of the actors were psyched based on the fact that Branagh was directing, being an actor beloved by other actors does indeed have its advantages.

Amazingly, Chris Hemsworth was able to overcome all doubts and come through as a solid Thor. In many ways he reminded me of Heath Ledger, full of charisma, energy, and physicality. In one intense scene with Anthony Hopkins, he manages to hold his own. Good pick, Marvel, you've made a star.

The technical aspects are what we've come to expect from these films, big action set pieces, highly detailed sound, and huge f/x spectacles. However, here, I don't feel it jibes well with the rest of the story, as most of the big action takes place in Asgard, and since Thor doesn't have his powers on Earth, it only helps to divide the two settings within the film.

Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) is supposed to be the connecting factor, and he is great in his scenes. All the stuff that is hinting towards The Avengers Initiative is well played and fun to spot, but in the end, it's not enough to put this film on the level with other big Marvel films.

In the end, it feels like what it is: A movie that simply had to be made to sell The Avengers movie, because unlike Hawkeye, he's a much more well known character. I don't think I'm alone when I say I would've rather seen a Hawkeye movie, but I suppose Thor does its job. It sets up The Avengers, and made its money back.

The actors, action and Avengers set ups save Thor from mediocrity, but not by a lot. With that said, it doesn't seem to matter, as seemingly any Marvel character can make money at the box office, so I doubt that any lessons will be learned from this film, let's just hope they aren't learned on The Avengers.

8.4/10 (B)