Thor

Caution: This Mght Contain Spoilers!

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This film is based of the comic Marvel comic series with the same name by Stan Lee. Thor is an arrogantly naive warrior who is next in line to become king of Asgard. On the day of his crowning, the frost giants attack the room filled with highly dangerous weapons. Thor takes it as an attack that should be avenged, but his father, Odin, does not wish to seek war. With convincing from his brother, Loki, they, and Thor's companion warriors, attack the frost giants home. Loki begins to learn a secret of his past while the frost giant's leader decide this was an act of war. Thor, for going against King Odin's wishes, is banished to another planet-Earth. Thor meets the scientist Jane Foster who aids him as he begins to learn his father's lessons. He also assists Jane against the S.H.E.I.L.D. forces that are trying to figure out what is happening around them. 

Yes, S.H.E.I.L.D. has to be included in the information because it was apparent that this film was meant to be a lead in to the Avenger's film. The emphasis on them was overdone, and didn't need to be in the film as extensively as it was.  It took away from the deep story that was presented in this film. Anyway, this film was directed by Kenneth Branagh with assistance from Joss Whedon. I haven't read the comics, so I can't say how loyal the film is to those said comics. I do know that their is a nod to Thor's original comic custom, and there is a Stan Lee cameo appearance. Finding Lee tells you which comics are is his favorite, and is a great feature for fans to look for (even if its like finding Waldo). This film is also made for selective audience's who like science fiction, who like comic-based films, or who like films based off mythology. This film falls heavily on the Norse mythologies of Thor, Odin, and Loki, and changes it to into a science fiction style of film. The story is very deep, and could've made it an awesome film. However, it was explored as detailed as it could've been. A lot of the major story points appear too fast, and are over shadowed by other elements. There isn't a ton of combat in this film. Instead the film turns to telling the story of Thor and how he became involved with S.H.E.I.L.D. The humour added made it slightly too comical, but at the same it was good for the film. What combat the film had was good. It added to the story, and the effects used for the fights were well done. The Destroyer that Loki unleashes was amazingly well done graphically. Asgard was visually striking. It was easy to see it as another world that existed without Earth. It was so visually different from Earth that helped to create Thor's universe. Having the other parts of the film shot in a desert like area (meant to be New Mexico) kind of gave a nod to the idea of aliens invading Roswell. The ending clip was really a mind boggler until another Marvel film was released that same summer. 

The actors were great, and had so much subtleties in their acting. The only default is that many of the characters were given a child like naivety. Chris Hemsworth plays the leading role of Thor. He is an actor really getting an amazing standing in popular Hollywood. His portrayal of Thor was unique, and fun to watch because of the depth of emotion he faces. He begins as naive and arrogant, but then learns to think before he acts. This change is present in his acting, and is very subtle. Natalie Portman plays the female leading role of Jane Foster. She is naturally an amazing actress as can be seen from her previos film roles. In this film she is the comical humour, and she is also the child-like damsel scientist. She is good in this role, but it was done with a little too much child-like behavior. Anthony Hopkins plays the role of Odin. When I first heard about this, I was taken completely aback by him being in this role. I was also surprised when I saw him in the film. He pulled out the wise father surprisingly well. Tom Hiddleston played the role of Loki. He is an amazing contrast to Thor. Much of his acting is very subtle. At first he appears villainy, but then his character turns out to have more child-like naivety than Thor. 


Stellan Skarsgard, Erik Selvig, is entertaining to watch. In many ways he's the fatherly figure to Jane Foster. He is good, but his role could've ben explored more. Kate Dennings, Darcy Lewis, is the typical teenage research assistant. She has some sarcastic humour, but her role also wasn't explored beyond being an assistant. Clark Gregg, Agent Coulson, has a role that also appeared in Iron Man. He's highly fairly humorous in this film, but only as a man who is caught in over his head. He's good at his small role. Jaimie Alexander (Sif-a childhood friend), Ray Stevenson (Volstagg-Warrior's Three), Tadanobu Asano (Hogun-Warrior's Three), and Josh Dallas (Fandral-Warrior's Three) were brought in as Thor's most trusted companions. They are moderately new actors establishing their careers. Theirs roles were kept brief, and were portrayed with way too much childish behavior. They seemed like a group of children looking to cause innocent trouble. 


I give this film a 8 out of 10 stars! It has such great potential, but their was too much holding it back. A little less S.H.E.I.L.D., and more building on the individual character's would've been much better. I understand that Marvel is anxious for the new Avenger's film, but there needs to be a limit. 


Answer to last blog: Orlando Bloom starred in the period film Kingdom of Heaven. 


Que: What television show began Joss Whedon's popularity as a producer?


Angel
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Firefly
Supernatural


P.S. All this publicity for the Avenger's makes me wonder if the film will be really awesome, or really bad. We'll see.