Trying to keep this as spoiler free as I can, which is hard to do but with all the clips that have been released online, I will do my best for those who have not gone to Asgard, or better yet the theater to see "Thor"
Of course, I had high expectations for Thor, being an avid fan of the comic, and after seeing all the photos, trailers, everything, I had to clear my mind and sit down and watch it. So here goes.......
By far, the best comic book movie. Better than The Dark Knight, better than Iron Man, better than Spider Man 2. I know I am going to get a hell of a lot of flack for "better than Dark Knight" comment, but I feel that it was to me. It lived up to everything and then more.
Chris Hemsworth played Thor down pat. Arrogant, cocky, proud, funny, he combined all of that. He embraced the character. Playing a fish out of water is complicated, and he perfected it. He looked straight out of the comics, talked like the God of Thunder as well. Breakout star of Hollywood this year. For the record, thank you Marvel for NOT casting Triple H as Thor.
Tom Hiddleston was beyond great as the God of Mischief Loki. I liked his performance as a villain better than Heath Ledgers as The Joker in The Dark Knight (Again I know I am going to get ripped to kingdom come for this but that is how I feel). Mischievous, cunning, smart, and very complex, Tom looked an acted the part. The scene where he was on the throne with his hands on his face, classic Loki look there. This guy is an Oscar winner waiting to happen (not for this film, but he will win one day).
Natalie Portman did not disappoint at all. Granted the Jane Foster character is different in the movie than the comics (Nurse in the comics, Astrophysicist in the movie) she shows heart and care for Thor. Smart, does not take no for an answer, and is very curious about inter-dimensional travel.
Lady Sif & The Warriors 3 I felt needed more screentime, but again, straight out of the Comics. Ray Stevenson is funny as Volstagg, eating all the time and wants to heart his appetite, classic. Jaimie Alexander plays her role strong, just like Lady Sif, we have another breakout star from this film with her. Josh Dallas & Tadanabo Asano (Frandal & Hogun) looked like the characters as well, and hats off to Josh, who was a last second replacement in the film, literally came on while filming.
Anthony Hopkins as Odin, brilliant, perfect casting, and you always expect that from Sir Anthony. I know 1 or 2 people wanted Brian Blessed to be Odin (I saw a writer from the UK say that as well) but you can never go wrong with one of the best actors out there. Strong presence on screen without a doubt.
Idris Elba looked like you did not want to cross his paths as Heimdall the Gatekeeper. Forget that racist BS that people were saying about "Norse Gods not being Black" He never went to Midgard at all.
One thing I will admit I was wrong about was Kat Dennings character. For months, I speculated that she would be Hela, the Goddess of the Dead, in disguise. Well I was wrong, I admit that (but not so much as the one person who said she was Gaea) but it was not a bad theory that she was going to be that character
Asgard, well I ran out of adjectives on how great Asgard looks, more beautiful than I would have ever thought on the big screen. They made it look like the shining light of the 9 realms.
Would never have thought Kenneth Branagh would direct this kind of film, but he took something that was out of his element and did wonders with it. We won't have another Last Airbender incident like last year with a director out of his element. Kenneth took the most complicated Marvel character to adapt to the big screen and did wonders with it. I want to cross the rainbow bridge and go to Asgard.
Also loved the little references and Easter Eggs to Donald Blake, Journey into the Mystery, Dr. Strange, Tony Stark, Bruce Banner & Hank Pym. Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye cameo was cool in an Avengers buildup.
I also saw this is glamorous 2D, I am not a 3D fan.
Now the parts that bug me just a little bit. It was too short for a movie this epic, I felt it needed to be 20-30 minutes longer. It was fast paced, but they could have notched the pace down just a tad. For future movies, I want to see more of the realms, because only 3 of the 9 are in this film. Would love to see Amora, Balder, Hela, Surtur, Ulik, Valkyrie and more in the upcoming sequels. I understand why they were excluded, too many characters to introduce a film is too much.
Summer starts with a big bang, and its only 1 more year till Thor comes back in The Avengers
STAY AFTER THE CREDITS as well, but we all know that and by now cause of Youtube.
2 Hammers Way Up FOR ASGARD
10/10