Retro Film Review: Thor (2011)
Hollywood has taught us in recent years not to expect too much from it, and to expect even less from its blockbusters. Nevertheless, it must be acknowledged that some blockbusters are better than others, or that some perform their primary mission of providing two hours of audiovisual attractions good enough to justify theatre ticket price. Among the better titles in previous decade were those of Marvel Cinematic Universe; partly because a relatively large number have been made, increasing the likelihood that some will be of higher quality. One of the earrlier MCU offering was Thor. It also became one of the first blockbusters that Hollywood studios launched in foreign markets a week before in North America, partly in an effort to acknowledge the new economic reality in which the North American box office no longer holds the significance it once did, and partly to discourage piracy.
The titular protagonist is the Norse god of thunder (played by Chris Hemsworth), the son of the supreme god, one-eyed Odin (played by Anthony Hopkins), who has wisely ruled Asgard, the heavenly realm of gods, for millennia and plans to pass his royal crown to Thor. These plans are disrupted by an incursion of Jotuns, ice giants, which will compel Thor, despite his brother Loki's (Hiddleston) warnings, to impulsively venture into the giant world of Jotunheim to confront their king Laufey (played by Colm Feore). The confrontation is interrupted by Odin, who, enraged by his son’s disobedience and disappointed by his recklessness, decides to banish Thor to Midgard, a world that includes Earth, Thor, stripped of his divine powers, ends up in the desert of New Mexico where he is found by astrophysicist Jane Foster (played by Natalie Portman), her mentor Dr. Erik Selvig (played by Stellan Skarsgard), and friend Darcy (played by Kat Dennings). The three quickly conclude that this unusual stranger, who struggles in the world of ordinary mortals, may have something to do with the spectacular celestial phenomena they have witnessed. Meanwhile, Thor and his artefacts attract the attention of "men in black" from a mysterious organization led by Agent Coulson (played by Clark Gregg), while in Asgard, using their father's illness as leverage, Loki seizes power, prompting Thor's friends—convinced that Thor is a victim of a conspiracy—to go to Midgard and try to bring him home.
One striking aspect of Thor is somewhat unusual choice of Kenneth Branagh as director. The Shakespearean actor did not seem like someone who could handle an epic sci-fi spectacle based on his reputation; however, the result of his efforts is satisfactory: the special effects are brilliant, action scenes appear good, and the imaginative depiction of otherworldly realms such as cold Jotunheim and divine Asgard makes full use of 3D technology. It can be assumed that Branagh, who says that he has enjoyed reading Thor comics as a child and is known for his great ego, likely saw himself in the title role. However, it is even more likely that after years spent playing a Swedish detective with a beer belly in BBC dramas, he reconciled with the fact that he would better fulfil his childhood dream behind the camera.
However, Branagh's efforts were not helped by a rather uninspired script from the sceenwriting committee. The introductory parts of the film set in alien worlds are far more interesting than the rest which takes place in more banal settings and is stuffed with clichés and one-dimensional characters. This is perhaps most evident with Jane Foster's character played by Natalie Portman; after her triumph in Black Swan, this role seems like a leap from horse to donkey—a potential example of the curse that befalls Oscar-winning actresses' careers. The choice of lead actor—at the time relatively unknown Australian Chris Hemsworth—was not particularly fortunate either; his character's transformation from arrogant and irresponsible daddy's boy into a hero feels rushed. The villain portrayed by Shakespearean actor Tom Hiddleston is much more intriguing, and Stellan Skarsgard as a supporting actor eats Hemsworth for lunch. Many details in the film that seem confusing or superfluous to ordinary viewers are clumsily inserted references known only to die-hard fans of the comic book source material—essentially setting up for the next year’s The Avengers. While generally entertaining, Thor serves far better as an example of limitations than possibilities within contemporary Hollywood. However, by being of sufficient quality, it served an important purpose as a building bloc for one of the most successful film series in history of Hollywood.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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