God of Blunder

Rating: 7/10 (23 January 2020)

2011's "Thor" had majestic potential, but the choice to start the movie with a few scenes of stunning Asgard and the mighty Mjolnir wielding, caped and armoured Thor - that fans of the comic book character yearned for decades to see a movie of - then strip him of his powers and godly abilities and send him to the inferiorly interesting Earth, to then interact with uninteresting townsfolk for what feels like the majority of the movie's runtime (because it's a boring uneventful plod), was just a cruel tease to the audience. Sure, Thor through the span of the movie has a character arc to earn them back in the climactic action enhancing third act, but the movie's narrative until that return point doesn't make the reward quite worth the boredom.
Kenneth Branagh was, I assume, an assured choice for director of "Thor" having been an academy award nominated director recognized for adaptations of William Shakespeare plays. It seemed natural to select Branagh to inject fitting Shakespearean-esque nobility into Thor, heir to his father's divine throne. Unfortunately, the movie doesn't achieve that majestic potential I mentioned. Also, there is unreasonable frequent use of slanted camera angles which is more visually irritating than stylish.
Despite all that, the one merit of unmatched might of 2011's "Thor" is its main theme music! It's epically awe-inspiring! Especially accompanying those end credits blasting among the cosmos.