Thor

UK Release Date: 27 April 2011

Certification: 12A

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Cast: Kat Dennings, Idris Elba, Clark Gregg, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, Rene Russo, Stellan Skarsgard 

Rating: 72%

"Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor"

Review:

When rewatching Thor, I enjoyed it much more than I remembered. Kenneth Branagh's Shakespearean style really works as we're introduced to the God of Thunder. 

The movie's greatest quality is also it's biggest downfall, the setting. Asgard is absolutely beautifully shot with the grandeur of the world on full display and a swelling score to up the elegance. However, when Thor switches it's focus to New Mexico it loses me a little. I know that the purpose was to make Asgard seem as impressive as possible by choosing a dirty and run down location but it didn't work for me - it just made me want to switch the attention back to Asgard. Although, the location on Earth left me frustrated I actually enjoyed the fish out of water comedic style that was used leaving me smiling throughout. 

Chris Hemsworth isn't firing on all cylinders in Thor as he's still getting to grips with his character. After playing a spoilt version of Thor in this movie it's a display of his talent that he's become one of the most likeable characters in the MCU. I think that the funny side of his character, that is seen later on in the MCU, was there with glimpses of his comedic chops shining through. Natalie Portman, plays Jane Foster, also does fine with what she’s given to work with as really she’s relegated to a stereotypical scientist. And Anthony Hopkins and Rene Russo both add gravitas to the movie if under-utilised.

However, the two standouts in my opinion are Kat Dennings as Darcy and Tom Hiddleston as Loki. Darcy provides brilliant comic relief - to another wise dramatic movie - never failing to make me laugh. Tom Hiddleston is incredible as Loki, he's so charismatic in the role - in my opinion is the second greatest movie villain of all time, only behind Heath Ledger’s Joker. He’s always one step ahead of his brother, Thor, leaving the audience guessing as to what he’s up to next.

One aspect that I have never enjoyed about Thor is the character's relationship with Jane Foster. The bond between the two is created in one day, a single day. By the end of the movie we're meant to care that Thor can't visit Jane but I didn't believe their love at all, It just feels so unrealistic. 

Another issue that isn't perhaps noticed on a first watch is the amount of dutch angles (a shot with a noticeable horizontal or vertical tilt) in the movie. As soon as you see it, it can't be unseen and by the end Thor the dutch angles actually start to hurt my head. They're just unnecessary. 

At times Thor can feel a little forced in order to rush into Avengers Assemble but at the end of the day it's a solid origin story, that introduces two fan favourite characters and adds another, more galactic side to the MCU.