Derivative and hackneyed but Hemswroth scores highly

Rating: 6/10 (2 May 2011)

With just one more movie to go before next years big screen adaptation of Marvel comics "The Avengers" hits the big screen "Thor", the penultimate film in the Marvel chain of films that makes up one quarter of the Avengers team that acts as a precedent to what is to come. Preceded by "Iron Man" and It's sequel as well as 2008's "The Incredible Hulk" reboot, not one of those films (although none of which were bad) were anything close to remarkable. So with this in mind I have to admit that my hopes for "Thor" weren't incredibly high but I decided to at least give it a chance and watch the movie with an open mind. However once again I can't say that my expectations were not confirmed.
The set up which is plain and simple enough is this, King Odin (Anthony Hopkins) rules over the world of Asgard. A realm where magic and science are one and the same. His people defend the nine realms from the Frost Giants of Jotunheim and in defending the Norse people of Earth in 970 AD they come to be worshipped as Gods. In the present Odin has two sons Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Thor(Chris Hemsworth) who will one day take his father's place and ascend the throne of Asgard. When a group of Frost Giants invade their kingdom in a failed bid to retrieve the Casket of Ancient Winters which was taken from them by the Asgaridans after their defeat over a millennia ago. Thor demands that an example must be made of their icy foes. Going against the orders of Odin he leads a band of his friends to confront them ultimately leading to a war which enrages Odin who strips Thor of his powers and exiles him to Earth. It is on Earth he is eventaully forced to redeem himself and become Earth's greatest defender while befriending scientist Jane Foster (Nathalie Portman)
As a film "Thor" marks a departure for it's director Kenneth Brangah who up until now has been concerned mainly with helming serious drama's as well as his trademark inclination for adapting Shakespeare's plays to the big screen. I was intrigued how he would cope with handling a big budget fantasy/adventure movie and It's to his credit that he does an admirable job. His handling of the fight scenes is top notch and are well choreographed where upon the cinematography fits in well with the flow of the action. While the more light hearted moments of the script compliment the overall feel of the film which means it never takes itself too seriously. The fish out of water moments where Thor explores the new world that he has found himself banished strike the right chord and are handled with good natured charm. As Thor Chris Hemsworth is equal parts charismatic and charming while portraying the acquired level of cockiness so that he makes a affable yet flawed hero who doesn't fall beyond the way side in to caricature. He also proves to also be adept at the more physical aspects. The supporting cast are also solid with Nathalie Portman proving to be likable and touches the right note of sincerity as Jane, while being a neat foil to Hemsworth with Anthony Hopkins providing a commanding and wise presence as Odin. But the break through performance for me has to go to Tom Hiddleston who is fantastic as Loki. He really makes you believe in Thor's stepbrother if at times you find yourself struggling to completely swallow everything due to the slightly leaky script. I am keen to see how his career will progress on the back of "Thor" as he he is someone who I think might have a promising career ahead of him.
What lets the film down is It's flat, routine plot which is overstepped by of the action and the overall grandeur spectacle. The sub-plot regarding Thor's road to redemption meanders in to cliché and is therefore predictable, relying on his trademark hammer as a threadbare tool to punctuate the point. Some of the characterisation from some of the supporting characters is a little too hammy and a bit thin on the ground and seem at times to be nothing more than window dressing to help further the progression of the films narrative. I also found myself not being able to reconcile myself to the motivations of Loki who the film tries to inject some depth in to him which goes beyond that of being a mere villain and that of a tragic figure but it doesn't come off as the least bit convincing. It's easier to envisage Loki as being a man driven by greed and ambition rather than that of a despondent antagonist left rocked by the sudden revelation that his father has been forced to impart on him. Triggering him to further an agenda to prove his inner worth. The presence of SHIELD, the government agency seen previously in "Iron Man 2" is only there to generate some action and create an obstacle to Thor retrieving his magical hammer which has been sent to Earth along with him. Anything other than that it just seems like they factor in as plot set up to next years Avengers movie and offer little else to the films plot making them largely obligatory. An overawing experience for non-fans although I suspect those more familiar with the comics will find more to like. I wouldn't bet my hopes on the film finding a wider appeal beyond it's fandom on the strengths of it. As this type of film goes It's inoffensive enough and passes the time and has It's colourful. little flourishes to commend it. However It's just another by the numbers blockbuster that ends up putting It's money where it's heart should be.