First off, Thor beckons in my humble opinion as Marvel Studio's best offering to date, and trumping Iron Man 1 is no easy feat. It was extremely splendid and basked in the Asgardian glory we hoped it would. Its resilience at the box office is nothing but a boon for future sequel(s), as well as The Avengers...and further Marvel Studios forays into bringing our beloved characters to Life...
Now onto some things that people have not even mentioned on CBM or anywhere else...or if they have, it's not spoken of much...it's got a lot to do with the comics, as the modern JMS run under the likes of art-connoisseurs Olivier Coipel, Marko Djurdjevic and Gabrielle Del Otto as artists (interior design and cover), in some way, shape or form, came together to help fashion and script this film via JMS himself, with Mark Protosevich. JMS' run was highlighted by his Thor cameo, as this film's New Mexico setting reeked of his Asgardian-Oklahama arc that he paints in his recent run. From the town setting to the mannerisms of the townsfolk, to the cheeriness and warrior-nature of the WARRIORS 3, Kirby/Simonson etc did lend credence but JMS does well to stamp an authority for Branagh and his spot-on cast to dance upon.
Pros -
1. Odin's rise to the throne, and Loki's origin - Pay heed to the retcon that JMS made that showed how Loki became the child eyed for adoption in the comics, as this film does leave a slate open for this thread. In the comics, Loki traversed time to turn Bor, father of Odin, into snow, in nonchalant terms, and this was 'allowed' by Odin, prince at that time in the heat of battle, which saw Bor vanish as the breeze blew...and Bor's vanquishing allowed Odin to become ruler. This led to apparitions, seemingly of Bor, taunting Odin, and coaxing him into adopting Loki, as a means of redemption for not saving his father so that he could be free of Bor's iron fist. Odin then took in an adolescent (not a baby as the film shows) Loki, who was influenced by a timely appearance of his future self 'to become the serpent that he would' and thus, future Loki molded the mind of young Loki, way before Odin made him and Thor stand side by side. It's quite a twist to wrap heads around but one that went smoothly by me...and with Odin offering the explanation that Loki in the movie was a scepter of unity between Asgard and Jotunheim, I can see that a sequel can show that Odin may have had more reason to adopting Loki, and the redemptive arc is one that Ken can prove to bring to life in a sequel. It's more father-son drama and all up Ken's alley, and it's a nice segue into time-travel as seen recently with JJ ABRAMS' 'Star Trek'. There's a nice way to spin Odin's attempts to teach Thor humility as he himself was similar as a youth to his father Bor, and may not have wanted Thor to make his same mistakes...and as for Loki's origin, come Avengers, he's all souped up on powers and schemes, so who's to say such a retcon can't occur in the film...and maybe this Thor sequel arc can work once Loki clings to say....the Enchantress? The Norn Stones??? Loki clearly will unleash bags of tricks when in future battles...undoubtedly...and never underestimate his treachery as he did return Bor, upon Odin's 'death' to fight Thor, and with Thor striking Bor down, it meant only exile for Thor...and a new king of Asgard in Balder...now how corrupt and conniving can Loki be? Ken and JMS can tell you...very! Kieron Gillen shows us further machinations in 'Journey into Mystery' at Marvel now during 'Fear Itself', and I'd like him to aid Ken and JMS, as Kieron writes Loki perfect to a tee...
If you wondered why doesn't Loki just kill Odin and rule Asgard? Well, it's simple...he still wouldn't have Odin's approval as top heir...and that's his aim...he rather be #1 in Odin's eye as he knows many Asgardians will disapprove yet once Odin loves him, it's all that counts. Daddy issue...? Maybe? But Loki wants to usurp Thor, fair and square, well...not so much fair!! Despite his slithery ways, Loki could have killed Odin yet he wanted to show Thor up, and while he would have killed Thor,Loki does see some sort of valor in Odin perhaps. Does this show that maybe...there's hope left in Loki...akin to Darth Vader? Thor thinks so...but does Frigga and Odin? Well, Loki's disappointment at failing to convince Odin of his stature as heir at the film's climax, seemed to hint that maybe he could try to win his father over in some other proper means? Highly unlikely, as he'll go for blood in Avengers and the sequel to Thor...but as seen in the comic event 'Siege', when you don't expect it...despite all the bloodshed he brings, Loki can offer up salvation...and who's to say when Loki unleashes too big a threat on Asgard or Midgard, maybe Thor can offer him the chance to save the day...Maybe he will do so of his own accord to finally show Odin and Thor, he can be better...and after Fraction/Ferry's run...maybe Thor knows deep down his capacity for good can match his malice...who knows? Keep in mind, after Ragnarok, Loki hid in Sif's body and also, arranged a deal with Hela and Mephisto so that he doesn't roam fiery depths when he dies...he has contingency plans always and is 1000 steps ahead of the curve...do we give him benefit of the doubt?
Branagh did a lovely job of painting the Warrors 3, especially Sif, as loyal and die-hard Thor ally...and while I loved Chris-Nat's chemistry, there was a subtle hint, especially in latter scenes to the end, that Sif harbors unrequited love...it's subtle but would make a nice twist to a sequel...and also, it renders Sif as expendable to increase the dramatic content and heartache of the sequel...I love it!!! Also, note that Thor and Sif in modern comics, do have strained love tension between them, so it's something that can emit akin to what is in the comics...I'd love to see Thor hold Sif dead, as Jane watches...now that's akin to a mind-job like Nolan did to RACHEL DAWES!!!
4. Cameos are all well done as we get the arched AVENGER who speaks and shows true stealth, and I'd have loved his arrow to tranquilize Thor at some point...as well as the right amounts of Ultimates Universe...and yes, this cameo as well as the S.H.I.E.L.D. portrayal are UU born and bred. Even the Fury cameo is all Ultimates and the end-teaser setup for Avengers...yes...if you have read Ultimate Thor, Ultimate Avengers etc...and I mean all of 'em...you will see these books' influence...kudos to Mark Millar also. The Thor lunatic arc and the 'DONALD BLAKE' cameo also bode well...not to mention certain weapons that Fiege confirmed...and it is not the Agamotto Eye!!!
Cons -
1. Lack of bigger Easter Eggs - We get the Cube, we get a Banner reference, but would it really be detrimental to have shown the Infinity Gauntlet or tease the Eye of Agamotto instead of obscure relics? A Wakanda hint could have been offered or maybe a toss to Hank Pym? Oh wait...that was cut because apparently the whole world knows that following a Banner reference with a Pym one is over-kill! Yeah right...major loss points!!
2. Paternity Suit? - Loki didn't know that Laufey was his father so maybe a time travel retcon is out of order...but even after he confronted Laufey, he never touched on the issue? It's unbelievable...just as much as him helping restore Jotuns to glory...and one would think Laufey would not eye a truce as Odin either killed or abducted his son...such a deadbeat dad Laufey...not giving a damn what happened to that child. I'd think Laufey wouldn't think twice about gutting Thor rather than sharing anecdotes...
3. Human Thor - Thor reading? How? Also, he learned to use a knife and fork pretty well in the diner!! And he was banished with BABY GAP/ABERCROMBIE FITCH? Should he not have been naked a la Routh in Singer's Superman
4. Other qualms - Thor on Midgard seemed very overpowered...and this hints that maybe having Hulk as an ally may not be appropriate...of course, I don't know the villains...Thor easily beat the Destroyer and made Loki cringe, so maybe Hulk can prove to be the match Thor deserves...and the lack of Hulk follow up after Letterier's film, hints to me that this may be the best chance to turn Hulk full out villain, and let him dismantle all Avengers...under Loki's watch...leaving THOR as the only one to stop him...slobberknocker right?
Finally, I ask why did the All-Father take so long in rallying to save the troops at Jotunheim? How long did Heimdall take to sell out? Why did he sell out when he himself wanted to know of the Jotuns' secret aid? Maybe he saw the crap hitting the fan on Thor and co. and acted? Kinda cut it late a bite huh? Maybe he could have opened the Bifros himself rather than sell out? Why did Odin use Heimdall's sword when he could have just used his own spear as he did in banishing Thor and as Loki did in his final act vs Jotunheim?...Why did we not see more of Heimdall in battle? He looked and seemed kickass but was made out kinda weak...a presence strongly...but still not the battle-entrant I envisioned...
THOR REVIEW BY ANIL RICKLY - click link below
Thor Review 2011