Directed by Kenneth Branangh, the British actor-cum-director, who's made a name for himself in bringing to life Shakespearian plays both in front and behind the camera.
He brings Thor into the 21st century with a touch of Shakespearian plot devices, 3D glasses and really well thought-out story that actually has character development and some form of true catharsis. Yes, I just mentioned the "c" word in a blockbuster. I hope Michael Bay was taking notes.
Thor proves that popcorn flicks can bring on the action without coming across as stupid or none coherent or just an excuse to stitch action set pieces together.
One of the best things about Thor is it’s the story and the lessons it tries to convey through the journey of the main character.
This actually borrows from the mythological lessons of the thunder god of the Viking legends: that might is not always right, that brains beats brawn, but above all, it shows that a true masculine man is not the one who merely rushes to battle but he who thinks about the consequences of his action before committing them. A man who values life above the glory of war.
Quite ironic that’s what Thor is all about given what has just taken place with Osama Bin Ladin - I wonder what the marines who executed an unarmed man would say about Thor after watching it.
The Aussie actor Chris Hemsworth adds a lot of “swag” and bravado to Thor but also manages to soften the exterior, just right when the moment requires.
It will be interesting to see him in other installments, 'cause he could easily have been overshadowed by Natalie Portman and Sir Anthony Hopkins, who also have some major screen time in this one, but he holds his own and this film is really his launching pad. He might even bring back the 80’s macho man with all them muscles.
Whilst Natalie is the biggest star at the moment in the movie, she really does not need to do any major lifting, 'cause she's the “love interest”.
Anthony Hopkins does not ham it up for a change and Tom Hiddleston gives Loki the type of sensitivity that Alan Cummings is very great at. Which is a big compliment to the youngster's portrayal of Loki.
Generally Thor is a very enjoyable movie, one that has everything for everyone: action, romance, comedy, special effects and a moral lesson. It’s the sort of old school blockbuster that the age of Michael Bay tried to kill; blockbusters with a story to tell, with characters who are not just plot mechanisms or a box set of clichés and excuses for meaningless explosions.
The blockbuster season is off to a good start ... now let's see what Green Lantern, X-Men : First class, Harry Potter and company have to deliver for Thor has truly wet my appetite for a good action movie with a good story.