Thor is full of thunder!

Rating: 9/10 (7 May 2011)

I just saw Thor today, and my first impression is that it's visually fantastic. The designers of Asgard (and the other extraterrestrial realms) did a magnificent job. The actors were all a cut above your typical SF blockbuster, and perhaps the most understated but brilliant performance came from Sir Anthony Hopkins as Odin. Loki was a very interesting character, and instead of your stereotypical trickster, Loki actually had some depth to his character, and some very real issues. Rene Russo was a stealth goddess. I kept saying to myself "Where have I seen her before?" I was actually skeptical about Branagh directing, but he did an admirable job. Stellan Skarsgaard was interesting and subdued; he had one of the best lines: "I don't know if you're really the Thunder God, but if you're not, you should be!" **Edit** I agree with other reviewers about Idris Elba as Heimdall. Great character, and handled perfectly in character. A minor spoiler: Keep an eye out for the god of all gods, Stan Lee, making his obligatory cameo as the driver of a pickup truck. Natalie Portman had a quiet dignity and made her role more interesting than "the earth bimbo who falls for the thunder god." It seems like Marvel is creating a pantheon with Iron Man, The Hulk (not the Ang Lee version), and Thor. Next up: The Avengers! I don't want this to be long and windy: It's a helluva fun movie, the script is intelligent, the artwork is excellent, and make sure you sit through the credits for the S.H.I.E.L.D. teaser at the end. YOU WILL HAVE FUN.