Directed by Kenneth Branagh
Home and Away’s Chris Hemsworth excels as the Norse god – all buffed up and decked out in leather and metal. Legends surrounding the mythical god of thunder are quite complex but the 2 hour and 10 minute film, based on one of the Marvel comics, centres on the competition between Thor and his adopted brother Loki (Tom Huddleston) for affection and acknowledgement from their father Odin (Anthony Hopkins). Thor is the favoured son but his immaturity has caused problems in the realms beyond Earth and his father has banished him to Earth as punishment. This gives Loki the opportunity to take over the rule from his ailing father and make alliances with his father’s arch enemies.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Thor just happens to collide with the car belonging to cute astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) who is gathering information in New Mexico with her colleagues Darcy (Kat Dennings who adds comic relief and gets all the best lines) and Erik Selvig (Stellen Skarsgard). So we get to laugh at the stranger in a strange land antics as Thor struggles to learn humility. The sexual tension between Thor and Jane builds but it is not long before the battles between good and evil begin, both on Earth and in the lands of the gods, and any thoughts of romance between Thor and Jane are quickly shelved for man on man/monster action.
With a background in acting and directing Shakespeare, Kenneth Branagh’s direction of this epic tale avoids being on the kitschy side because he humanises the characters. The film is visually stunning, especially when viewed in 3D, and is good fun, especially if you keep in mind that it is based on a comic book and there’s going to be a sequel quite soon that further expands the Marvel universe.
Lezly Herbert
