Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgard
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Thor was always going to be the trickiest movie to make. How do you show a god on screen? Which is why it was very surprising to find that Thor came before Captain America. But Marvel did it right by treating the story based on Greek mythology as a Shakespearean drama. And who better to make Shakespeare than Kenneth Branagh?
King Odin (Hopkins) rules over Asgard, one of the nine realms. He has two sons, Thor (Hemsworth) and Loki (Hiddleston). One a boisterous and arrogant, the other devious and scheming. A sneak attack by the villainous Frost Giants causes a rift and Thor is sent into exile in Midgard, also known as Earth. His weapon, the mighty hammer called Mjolnir, is also exiled. A powerless Thor joins forces with astrophysicists Jane Foster (Portman) and Erik Selvig (Skarsgard) and tries to find his way around and discovers he has no powers. In the meantime, Loki has gained control of Asgard and sends the iron-armoured Destroyer to earth. Can Thor save the planet?
Chris Hemsworth inhabits the role in such a jovial and goofy manner that it is hard to imagine anyone else in that role. He spouts ridiculous ancient dialogue with such earnestness that one can’t be unimpressed. Natalie Portman may only be half his size, but I happen to think their chemistry is sizzling. Tom Hiddleston is apt for the shifty Loki and he performs the role with aplomb. It is easy to see why the Hiddlestoners are thing. The amazing Idris Elba is wasted in a bit role as Heimdall, a cosmic security guard.
The production values of Asgard are top class, while the scenes in New Mexico aren’t. Considering an actor is directing, there is hardly a performance out of sync. The movie is a solid entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is even more impressive considering the character it introduces.
Stan Lee cameo: This one is played for laughs and gets them. Is Stan worthy of the hammer?
Post-credits scene: This directly ties into The Avengers. A fact we will know only when we see that movie.
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