At 10.10am today I rolled up to the cinema as early as possible for an advanced viewing. Like most of the, likely, geeks that made the trip (and who possibly waltzed in sporting a quarter chub). The lights dimmed and we were treated to the trailers for Captain America AND X-Men: First Class (and girly squeeling from yours truely). That got me buzzing even more! Finally Thor exploded onto the screen. We were treated to a beautifully crafted opening scene detailing the backstory of Asgard. Battle scenes between the Asgardians and the Frost Giants. This set the scene nicely for anybody expecting an origin heavy adventure like the likes or Iron Man. Before I run through a spoiler filled review, for anybody not wishing to have it ruined from start to finish, I'll start by saying this Marvel outing is nothing short of stunning. The casting is genius, the comedy tasteful (genuinely funny and in no way cheesy) and the visuals a comic fans delight. Marvel/Branagh have pulled off topping Iron Man in my opinion. It crams a lot into 2 hours without confusing the general viewing public (see Iron Man 2 for general public confusion). So onward! The following will have some scee description and a few character breakdowns. SPOILER sections are sandwiched between both photos.
After the backstory has been covered and Earth bound meetings we are treated to a ceremonial scene. In the epic halls of Asgard. We flit between here and the infiltration of Asgard by a handful of frost giants. This event in itself sets out a chain of events that lead to Thor's banishment to Midgard. From and Jaw dropping attack on Jotunheim by Thor, Loki, the warriors three and Sif that parades Thor's arrogance to a heart wrenching banishment scene where Hemsworth and Hopkins flex their emotional muscles. It really captures a father's disappointment in his defiant son. From here we spend most of our time watching Thor build relationships with our Earth based cast, do battle with SHIELD, realise his true potential and, best of all, bumble his way through some 'fish out of water' moments. But these are genuinely tasteful, brief and funny. It echoes the same comedy that subtly ran through Iron Man that made you laugh momentarily without distracting from the serious message that runs through the movie. Darcy actually spends most of her screen time doing this without making it seem like she is solely useless. She allows Portman and Sarsgard to remain serious in their roles.
With Thor learning to curb his arrogance it may seem, to a non Thor fan, that this change along with his romance with Jane actually doesn't have enough time to blossom. But to me their chemistry felt instant and believable. As did his transformation from a god that has everything to a mere mortal that has nothing...then back again. Sandwiched neatly between all of this we get Loki's revelations of his past as well as his hand in setting off the chain of events (all events) that make up this instalment. After Thor is 'broken' and taken in by SHIELD we get to watch his realisation that he has to be more than the brute force he once was. After handling the Destroyer he gets back his birthright and face the selfish betrayal by his brother. As clever as Loki is his misgivings come across more as a misplaced need to please his 'father'. His genuine evilness isn't really displayed until he and Thor have their final confrontation. Even then it seems like, although benificial to him, it was all for the 'greater good'. In the end everybody is where they should be. Relationships are formed and broken but our main star is back at the top as the hero he should be. But this time humble. The character we know him to be.
And so we get to the part where I, only in opinion, decide whether the cast were worth Marvel's pennies!
Anthony Hopkins/Odin: Everybody seemed to think that having an a-lister would make a difference here. Given the gravity of the part it needed someone to exude that presence. Anthony Hopkins does this in all areas. I'm never usually a huge fan of him as he tends, in my opinion, to over do it. But you get the feeling that this is an aging ruler whos unrivelled power commands the respect that the other characters hold for him. Hopkins displays all of this as well as the very human emotional spectrum of a father. The banishment scene is breathtaking and, despite the action and comedy, stood out as one of the most powerful scenes of the entire movie for me.
Tom Hiddleston/Loki: Dare I say this?! Do I?! Ok, I feel after watching Hiddleston shyly edge his way through the whole movie I couldn't help but feel how wrong this part could have gone had they have cast somebody else. Dare I say, in my opinion, he was my favourite character of the entire movie. The best translation from page to screen. And given Hemsworth's nailing of his part that was no mean feet. He was sneaky, loveable, believable, sinister and, yet, very human. If they are to pick a villain that has been featured in a Marvel movie so far for The Avengers...Loki is easily my pick. It shows that you genuinely do not have to have brute strength to thwart an opponent. Absolute genius casting.
Natalie Portman/Jane Foster: Interestingly enough I thought about her character after I left the movie and thought how underwhelming the part was. She's believable as the science geek and a woman who's adoration for this tall blonde stranger overwhelms her. But that really wasn't it at all. Despite Thor realising the error of his ways when Mjolnir's power deserts him it struck me that Jane Foster is more paramount to this change than any of the other factors. Without Portman playing such a strong character, as well as she does, the point may have been lost in translation. She, along with the other earthbound players, never overshadow one another which makes no other character a complete waste of inclusion. She is as important the Thor's character as Lois Lane is to Superman. The way the movie ends makes me think The Avengers will benifit from the inclusion of her character. In Thor's return to Midgard and his mentality generally.
Stellan Sarsgard/Erik Selvig: He did mumble his way through most of it but to be honest he acted as the voice that kept Jane Foster's character grounded. We saw from the after-credits that he, like Agent Coulson, will become a character that will feature throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And the more of these types of characters we have keeping up the continuity the better. He alluded to the fact he had previous links to other Marvel heroes so his part is greater than first expected.
Idris Elba/Heimdell: Played the pivitol part that he needed to. Much like most of the main cast it is strange to think anybody else could have conveyed the presence needed to play this part. Race? PAH! It neither matters nor makes any difference. It is what the actor brings to the part that is what was needed. Elba did this.
Kat Dennings/Darcy Lewis: Pure comic relief. And did it well. A welcome inclusion.
Colm Feore/King Laufey: A menacing performance. Maybe not enough chance to exercise real acting chops but integral to Loki's and Odin's story. They have a bigger part than I remember from the script but all for the positive. The frost giants, as a whole, were worthy enemies that allowed us to witness the Asgardian's true place in the 9 realms hierachy.
Clark Gregg/Agent Coulson: Proving that he is becoming more edgy with each Marvel movie. From his dictation of SHIELD to his final meeting with Thor he serves as the thread that is currently binding the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Having Iron Man 2's end of credits scene included was a nice touch. It was great to see him get more screen time in Thor and, hopefully, more to come.
The Warriors Three: They never get enough time to flex their acting skills. But they are an important inclusion without being overused to the point they become a distraction. Jaime Alexander seems like a strong actress for the part and hopefully becomes an integral part of any future Thor sequel.
Chris Hemsworth/Thor: I read, very recently, the 5 actors that were last in the running for this part. Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Hunnam, Liam Hemsworth, Alexander Skarsgard and an unknown Swedish actor. That, to me, sounds like one hell of a choice for this part. But when I watch Hemsworth in action I find it crazy to believe any of the above mentioned could have commanded this role the way Chris does. He would have stolen every scene he was in if it wasn't for Hiddleston. He epitomised the character in my eyes and any cry of "he was too camp" or "too girly" is completely disrespectful to what Hemsworth does on screen. He displays the arrogance and sincerity without effort as well as the believability of Thor as a spoilt child becoming a real hero and true king. I'm glad we wont have to wait for a sequel to Thor to see him flex his acting (and physical) muscles. As the closing credits say "THOR WILL RETURN IN THE AVENGERS"...and that is nothing but great news.
Cameos:
- Stan Lee gets his time. It's a smile inducer for all true comic book fans. The Mrs got an elbow in the ribs as with all Marvel outings.
- Jeremy Renner gets an outing. There's no mask. There's a bow and arrow. There's cockiness. There's a costume. He looks awesome and gets a handful of lines to make you feel like it wouldn't have been a 'blink and you'll miss it' moment. He will be 100% badass in The Avengers. Let's hope he gets plenty of screen time. My girlfriend looked puzzled as I sat there with a hidiously creepy smile (my sex face) whilst "the guy from that boring war film" appeared on screen from nowhere.
- SHIELD's inclusion also allows us to see their part building within this world. They aren't overdone and, like most, serve their part in allowing the movie to flow nicely without confusing the situation
- Nick Fury gets his chance to put his stamp (well, toe) on this Marvel effort. But that scene is more to tease the cosmic cube (prior to Captain America), cement Selvig's part in future proceedings and show that Loki is far from lost. The after credit scene excited me more as it meant a disheviled and broken Loki will be making a bigger appearance and a more devistating impact on the Marvel movie universe!
The movie is less of an origin of the man but the origin of the Superhero. The CGI is well done and never looks slack or unbelievable. Asgard is breathtaking and the New Mexico setting is better placed rather than a big city. If Gods were to be displayed in the wide world (like the Hulk smashing up vehicle after vehicle or Iron Man parading across the news channels) then it would have felt unreal to for these events to unfold without undue attention. It means Thor can quickly make his jouney without intrusion. The battles between Thor, the frost giants, the destroyer and Loki may feel quick but these are godly battles. It's never an even matched fist fight.
Considering the amount that needed to be included in this movie I was suprised how uncomplicated the plot was. It was easy to follow, smoothly edited, masterfully scored, beautifully crafted and emotionally engaging. Branagh had his work cut out since his appointment in 2008 and had a lot of fan pressure that has been building to this moment. But what he and Marvel have brought us is a visually stunning masterpiece that, in my opinion, rivals Iron Man as Marvel's crown piece of patchwork in the MCU. The 3D is well done but it's never been a format I champion. This would be just as, if not more, enjoyable, in 2D. The dialogue isn't cheesy and the events that weave their way into the storyline only serve to strengthen it as a credible piece of movie artwork rather than a cash-cow or fanboy wetdream. The casting is out of this world as well as the acting that proceeds it.
If The Avengers, which seems like it may have a lot to cram in, moves along anything like Thor does then we are in for a seriously awesome summer treat next year!
An overplayed, overhyped two hour lesson in Shakespeare? I SAY NAY! All hail Thor?! That is something I don't mind kneeling before (insert gay joke here)...
5/5