Thor

[Projectionist]

I enjoyed it. The action was good the story was good. No major back story apart from couple bits. Just got on with it.



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Here's a link to Total Film's 3 star review of Thor. Added by Liz. Thanks.

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[Grinch11]

Pretty much agree with what the Projectionist says, but here is my long, boring, drawn out view of Thor......

A wave of kaleidoscopic costumed superheroes is about to crash into cinema screens; the X-Men are back with their origin story, Captain America gets his own vehicle in which to unleash his shield, and even the little known Green Lantern is the subject of a 3rd world deficit budgeted movie. Love em or loathe em (Catwoman anyone? Did you say Ghostrider?), this sub-genre is set to dominate the summer seasons for a good while yet.

Growing tired of the recycled nature of the Hollywood machine, Thor, directed by Shakespearean puppet master, Kenneth Branagh, was approached with some trepidation. Part of the ensemble for Joss Whedon’s Avengers movie (scheduled for release next year and combing the iconic characters of Hulk, Captain America, and Iron Man, amongst others) and hardly a tentpole name when it comes to the Marvel universe, it appears something of a gamble to launch such a prospectively lucrative adventure with one of the lesser known heroes.

Filling in the audiences blanks, in that you know he has a hammer and that’s about it, we are transformed to the wonderfully rendered Asgard, a playground of the Gods and one of the universes fantastical realms. Brothers Thor (Hemsworth) and Loki (Hiddleston) share a close relationship, but only one can be the true heir to the throne once Odin (Hopkins) abdicates. When the heroic but arrogantly headstrong Thor is banished from the Kingdom for putting Asgard in jeopardy, he is cast asunder to Earth and the poetic mechanisms of a house of power that will have attracted to Branagh to the project kick in; sibling rivalry, warring Gods, and some unexpected humour.
Thor is an unexpected lightning bolt of an experience that without question is the most successful comic book franchise launch of any of the lesser known characters. Even better than Iron Man? Infinitely.

It’s hard to single out one aspect of the movie for praise, as all of the elements combine perfectly, but this is a victory for two men; Branagh and Hemsworth.

Branagh strikes a perfect balance between the pomposity required for the warring Kingdoms, and a lightness of touch that qualifies this as a genuine buster of blocks. For example, the ye-olde dialogue may not sit comfortably with the target audience, so the script pokes fun at it once the action relocates to Earth.

Thor also looks stunning, both earth-bound and other-worldly aspects of it; the set designs and CGI of Asgard are requisitely magnificent.

Returning to the notion of Thor being a rare studio gamble; how about resting, and judging by the marketing campaign, selling the film on the shoulders of a relative unknown? By Thor’s hammer, Hemsworth shouldn’t be after this.

Heroically square-jawed when required and brilliantly self deprecating during the excellent earth based adventures, he brings more to the role than simply his Scandinavian looks.
In fact, the entire cast is terrific; Portman, Skarsgard, and Dennings form a Speilberg style family unit that plays off Hemsworth “alien” wonderfully, whilst on Asgard we are treated to a pontificating but never hammy Hopkins, and the conflicted Loki is played perfectly by Hiddleston.

Throw in a couple of geek pleasing cameos, although they will surely have been sated by the quality of the adaptation, one-liners that genuine comedies would struggle to match “I need a horse”, consistently thrilling set-pieces, and there is only one outcome; Thor is Marvel-ous.

[Jeffbiscuits]

I haven't been too bothered with this film so far but I think I'll go to see it now.

[gordonmclean]

I was genuinely surprised by how good Thor is. Until the first reviews came in I had absolutely no interest in seeing it as I don't like the character and could see it falling foul to the same formula that destroyed the Hulk: silly comic book star + arthouse director = big pile of shite. Fortunately this turned out not to be the case and Thor is actually the best comic book movie in a long time.

All that "thee" and "thou" business from the comic has been stripped away, allowing Chris Hemsworth to play a very relatable and endearing thunder god, none more so than when he's stumbling around Earth and trying to get the lay of the land (one fantastic moment sees him entering a pet store and declaring, "Fetch me a horse!").

The whole idea of him being humbled and left to fend for himself in a small town neatly contrasts with the wide-scale, epic scenes set in Asgard. Both Earth and the mystical realms play host to furious action scenes and genuinely special special effects that make sure the audience feel every hammer blow (although I did wish that just once Thor would say, "Stop! Hammer time!").

The only real flaw for me was that Natalie Portman's role was to stand around and look like Natalie Portman until Thor started fancying her. Points deducted for Hawkeye's cameo amounting to two minutes of nothing as well.

These are niggling little flaws, to be honest. Thor's a great film and I recommend seeing it. It really IS hammer time!

[jaykays hat]

I enjoyed it but not as much as the Iron Man films, the first Iron Man being one of my fave comic book hero films. I thought Chris Hemsworth was very good as Thor and really looked the part. I saw it in 3D but it was another film that really didn't need to be seen in 3D.

Its all leading up t the Avengers movie, can't wait for that.

[Zippykins1]

Decent fun, I liked that it didn't really drag and just got on with it. I also sat there thinking Loki would be a cute name for a cat.

[blahblah]

Oh yeah i saw Thor and it was an enjoyable film but I don't think it needed 3D-to my eyes it makes the fast moving stuff a bit blurry, and the only film I actually remember in 3D is Avatar anyway.

[Projectionist]

Can we take this talk to right thread please guys and dolls. It's in off topic.

Posts discussing comics in general have been moved >>
http://www.totalfilm.com/forums/show...hp?t=91&page=2 --Kiba

[danmc]

Finally got round to seeing Thor this afternoon and thought it was a good fun film all round. I enjoyed it. The 3D doesn't really add anything to the experience though apart from a few more coins

[Scruff]

Originally Posted by Projectionist

I enjoyed it. The action was good the story was good. No major back story apart from couple bits. Just got on with it.



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Here's a link to Total Film's 3 star review of Thor. Added by Liz. Thanks.

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Absolutely. Just got on with it. Standard hero's journey film script - it's decomposed over at http://www.clickok.co.uk/index4.html