Grandiose action meets simplified theme

Rating: 7/10 (3 May 2011)

Epic action, glorious 3D and Chris Helmsworth's rapturous good looks make for a gratifying but hardly epiphanic outing for the first God in a crowded superhero genre. Thor is a good action movie. The battles are grandiose and the pace and intensity of action never flags. Ashley Miller's screenplay is family friendly and the characters are as cookie- cutter as they come, with the possible exception of Loki (Tom Hiddleston). The special effects are cool and the different planets sufficiently spectacular.
That said, Thor's kaleidoscopic production values could have done better with a less monochromatic storyline, and more believable acting. Despite his highs and pitfalls, Thor's character remains too much of a knight in shining armor. Perhaps a little more fallibility could have made the character more endearing.
In short, Thor is an entertaining action-packed spectacle, but disappointing if you expect anything more.