Well acted, fun ride, but cuts may have hurt pacing

Rating: 8/10 (6 May 2011)

In a town with a population of 5588 the midnight 2D showing was almost packed to capacity. There was also a 3D showing. I asked how sales were for each and got a vague reply that seemed to indicate most were opting for 2D tickets. I saw a guy with 3D tickets walk right by the long 2D line and enter his theater. Don't know if that means anything, but Thor may not get a huge boost from 3D if this is typical. He'll have to earn the money the old-fashioned way I guess.
Really had a good time once it got rolling. But felt like something was cut during the early parts of the movie. Things felt rushed. Supposedly 15-20 minutes was cut from the film at the last minute. That may be where the extra 15 minutes was supposed to be. So a guy in a suit somewhere probably stuck his hand in where it didn't belong. The proper "Thor geek moments" were all there....and they worked on screen really well. I...kinda want that hammer. Thor as a character is a true bad-ass. More action than the Iron Man movies. More than most super hero movies to be honest. The crowd really seemed to enjoy the movie. At first I wondered if this was biased because the midnight showing was packed with fan-boys who were predisposed to like it. But then the ending credit popped up and over half the theater got up and left! This crowd was clearly not fan-boys. I have to question if many of them have internet connections.
The cast was really good. Hemsworth is great as Thor. The guy has a likability factor that can't be bought and can't be taught. When he smiles you almost have to like him....cannot wait to see him and RDJ trade barbs in The Avengers. Hopkins was magnificent as Odin...."regal" is the proper word. Hiddleston was also great as Loki. He brought layers to a character that is supposed to have layers. There is a scene between he and Hemsoworth on Earth that is as poignant as any scene I've seen in a super hero movie ever. The "warriors 3" were underwhelming though...though Alexander was really good as Lady Sif. Portman was better than I thought she would be. I'm not a huge fan of hers. I like her but don't get all the praise she often gets. But here she made some lines that could have been cheesy work very well. The history of female leads in super hero movies is not good....Portman puts a notch in the "good female lead' side of the ledger. Dennings did not irritate me like I expected and even made me laugh a couple of times.
I'll give it a 8/10 for the moment. Not quite up to Iron Man level, but better than most super hero movies I've seen. Would probably be in my top 10. Something tells me the directors cut will have a higher score for me. That cut footage hurts it a little. It didn't have a "left the audience wanting more" feel...it had a "left the audience needing more" feeling.