Thor
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgard
Director: Kenneth Branagh
So the Marvel universe continues its cinematic attempts to take over - this time with some help from a buffed up dude from Home and Away and a guy more likely to be known for Shakespeare.
Hemsworth plays Thor, a Norse god, who on the eve of his coronation as king is banished to Earth from Asgard by his father Odin (Hopkins) after he instigates an attack on the Frost Giants, a race with whom the Asgardians have been living in peace for years.
Dumped in New Mexico, Thor's found by Natalie Portman's scientist Jane Foster.
Convinced he needs to return to Asgard, Thor attempts to regain his mythic hammer (the source of his power) from a SHIELD facility.
But when he finds his powers have deserted him, Thor resigns himself to a life on earth.
However, back in Asgard, political machinations are afoot and Thor's brother Loki (a brilliantly reptilian Hiddleston) moves on the throne, prompting Thor's friends to try and bring him back....
Spectacularly epic, utterly engrossing and surprisingly funny, Thor is perhaps one of the best blockbusters in a while. Mixing Shakespearean motifs such as family betrayal, mistrust and revenge, it's clear to see why Branagh was attracted to this.
Hemsworth impresses as the petulantly arrogant god and Hopkins is suitably majestic as the regal Odin; each injecting their characters with the humanity and hubris needed of gods. Equally impressive is Hiddleston who brings the requisite element of mistrust to Loki that you're never quite sure whose side he's actually on - or what his motives truly are.
If there's to be a small quibble, it's that Portman and her team of scientists are a little underdeveloped - and the wonderful Kat Dennings is sidelined as simply comic relief.
The 3D serves really only to enrich the backdrops and isn't integral to the overall feel of Thor.
Yet, it's the Marvel universe which grows in depth with this latest adaptation - with crossover film The Avengers on the way, there's plenty to be done to lay the groundwork here. Mentions of Tony Stark, crossover characters from prior films and the obligatory Stan Lee cameo, this world is becoming more cinematically fleshed out than ever before - but not at the extent of alienating those who're not familiar with it all.
The winter blockbuster season is off to a simply Thorsome
start.
