Blunt Force Trauma! It's Hammer Time!

Rating: 8/10 (18 May 2011)

THOR (2011) *** Chris Helmsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgard, Kat Dennings, Clark Gregg, Idris Elba, Colm Feore, Ray Stevenson, Tadanobu Asano, Josh Dallas, Jaimie Alexander, Rene Russo (Cameos:Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner). Marvel Comics' superhero origin flick about Odin's callow son Thor (Helmsworth, quite decent in a Heath Ledger charming way), who is banished from their Nordic universe to Earth –via wormhole – as a mortal to prove himself rightful heir to the throne via redemption in saving mankind from his diabolical half-brother Loki (Hiddleston). A game cast, impeccable production design by Bo Welch and decent set pieces directed by unlikely helmsman Kenneth Branagh (or is it? Shakespearean undertones throughout suggest not!) makes more for the somewhat talky screenplay by Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Don Payne & J. Michael Straczynski & Mark Protosevich (phew!) based on Stan Lee (yes there's a Lee cameo too!), Larry Lieber & the late great Jack Kirby's epic character leading to the inevitable AVENGERS film (next summer) with the ubiquitous Nick Fury cameo by Jackson and possible new Hawkeye Renner. One last note the 3D isn't too shabby either (watch that hammer throw!)