Thor
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Actors: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård, Rene Russo

Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth, who seems perfect for the role, is banished to earth by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins), where he's forced to live among humans without his superpowers. Until Thor's rival attacks earth and the once mighty god of thunder has to find a way to protect the humans.

The one and only Kenneth Branagh (Hamlet, Henry V) is the director of the film, which is based on Marvel's superhero comics. Branagh focuses on the emotional ride of the characters with powerful moments, specially the ones with Anthony Hopkins in it. But the most important one, the relationship of Thor and his terrestrial love Jane Foster (played by Natalie Portman), still feels there's something missing that would make it more interesting.

The story of Thor takes place on two levels, the world of the gods where a power struggle is developing and on earth where Thor needs to find a way to get back home. Branagh succeeds in delivering two story lines, set in completely different realities, which still form a unit that remains credible.

Thor starts off amazing with an epic war, overwhelming production design and large scale battles. The film loses its balance as the story continues though. The climax is being fought on a much smaller scale that doesn't surpass the awesome opening.

It's still hard for this superhero geek to remain objective. Kenneth Branagh did an impressive job with this adaptation of Marvel's most extraordinary superhero (who in fact is a god). Thor is spectacular with Shakespeare-moments and a large dose of jaw-dropping superhero-action.



Written by Reggy
April 26, 2011

© paramount 2011