Film Review For Thor (2011)

Rating: Null/10 (11 September 2011)

Film Review For Thor (2011)
What is it about comic book adaptation's that so divides people? This is one of those films that people seem to either love or hate. I get the feeling that the people who hate this film would hate the comics as well, so the question then becomes, who do you listen to when reading the reviews? Should this film be judged on its merits as a film that stands independently from the comic, or should it be judged on whether it is a good adaptation?
I will come right out and say that I think it is an excellent adaptation of the comic. It is worth bearing in mind for anyone who has even a passing familiarity with Norse mythology, that the Marvel Thor is based fairly loosely on the original myths. Norse mythology is at its heart very dark and more than a little depressing, unlike the gods of most other cultures there is no happy ending. In the final confrontation with the giants (Ragnarok) most of the gods are killed, including Thor, who after battling and defeating the Midgard serpent takes nine steps and dies from the effects of the serpent's poison, this film being based on the Marvel comic's character is decidedly lighter in tone than that. Kenneth Branagh has in my opinion given a film that could have just been a special effectathon some real heart. At its core this film is about redemption. Some have criticised how quickly Thor seems to learn his lesson, but they are not taking into account what befalls our hero in a very short space of time. He loses his power and is banished from his home and everyone he loves, and then is told his father is dead! Yes he quarrels with his father and grows inpatient with him, but he does still love him and those who think his transformation from angry young rebel to sad and regretful man, happens too quickly, should perhaps pay closer attention to the details. Chris Hemsworth plays the lead incredibly well, so well in fact that I cannot now imagine anyone else as the god of thunder. Tom Hiddleston gives I think, the standout performance of the film, his portrayal of the trickster god Loki is exceptional, subtle emotions like envy and regret briefly flash across his face to be quickly replaced with the impassive and other worldly look of a being who regards everyone else around them as mere insects. Loki is a villain with real depth who unlike the two dimensional villains Hollywood so fervently favours, is motivated by many sometimes conflicting desires, he is by far and away one of the most interesting characters in mythology, and I was very glad to see him portrayed as an unashamedly complicated individual.
As someone who grew up with Norse mythology I was particularly impressed with the films realisation of Asgard and Bifrost, the rainbow bridge. The film takes the stargate route with the Asgardians and explains that, while they were once worshipped as gods, they are in fact a technologically advanced race, even going so far as to directly quote Arthur C Clark who said that, technology sufficiently advanced would be indistinguishable from magic. The special effects in this film are breathtaking, and while the irascible Mr Hopkins may have thought them overused it is hard to see how the film could have been made with any less than we see.
As a comic book adaptation this is very good indeed, and as a piece of cinema it's not bad either. Could some things have been done better, of course, that is true of almost every film ever made, but I for one enjoyed it very much, it's not a life changer or a film that leaves you wiping away the tears but it's not trying to be, its entertainment and I for one, was entertained.