"The Marvel universe moves into the cosmic realm with Thor, a burly slab of bombastic superhero entertainment that skitters just this side of kitschy to provide an introduction befitting the mighty god of thunder," offers THR. "It’s a noisy, universe-rattling spectacle full of sound and fury with a suitably epic design, solid digital effects and a healthy respect for the comic-book lore that turned a mythological Norse god into a founding member of the superhero team known as The Avengers."
One criticism of the film is that Thor's conversion from arrogant warrior is "unrealistically lightning-quick" and there are some adverse results from the film's arc alternating between Asgard and Earth. "But," goes on the review, "execs at Marvel Studios, gambling heavily on the success of Thor and the upcoming Captain America: The First Avenger to set up next summer’s ensemble behemoth The Avengers, can rest easy: You’ve built it and they will come. They may even bring a date."
Director Kenneth Branagh is given a lot of credit for the film's success as well as cast members Anthony Hopkins and Natalie Portman, but special commendation is given to Chris Hemsworth for the title role: "Hemsworth adds the winning ingredients, bringing a lusty Viking charm to his rumbling Olde English line readings, a towering physicality and biceps that look forged in a furnace. Verily, he is ripped."
More plot details follow -- follow the link for the full breakdown -- though it is noted that, "The action pinballs between Asgard, the desolate ice planet of Jotunheim, and Earth, where a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent from the Iron Man films (Clark Gregg) is making it difficult for Thor to retrieve his magic hammer and save the humans and the kingdom of Asgard from the forces that would destroy them."
The review conclude with, "Bo Welch has created some stunning designs, with Heimdall’s Observatory, the celestial portal that connects the various realms, a particular triumph. Full-throttle fight scenes and the stunt work overall feel organic, although Branagh’s over-reliance on slanted angles and an unusual slow-mo sequence are merely distracting."
Much more in the full review.
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