Kicking the summer season off just right ...

Rating: 7/10 (9 May 2011)

While I certainly had my trepidations about finally bringing the story of the god of thunder to the big screen (after all, the film had been in development since 2006), I was indeed pleasantly surprised with the outcome, as well as Kenneth Branagh's fine direction of this mythological action/adventure.
"Thor" borrows heavily from the original "Clash Of the Titans," in which Oscar winners Laurence Olivier and Maggie Smith traded barbs in the heavens while the pitiful humans try to figure things out on this mortal coil, and the hero must prove himself worthy of his calling.
Here, the king of Asgard, Odin (Anthony Hopkins, "Fragile")), is nearing the end of his reign and must pass the torch to either arrogant, warlike first son, Thor (Chris Hemsworth, "Star Trek") or weak but cautious Loki (Tom Hiddleston, "Midnight In Paris").
After years of keeping a delicate peace with the lizard-like Frost Giants of Jotunheim (defeating them and capturing the source of their power - the Casket of Ancient Winters), Thor upsets the balance and invades their realm, causing destruction and war to fall upon Asgard and her environs once again.
Angered, Odin cast the rebellious son to Earth, where he is discovered by a group of scientists, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman, "Black Swan"), Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard, "Goodwill Hunting," "Mama Mia") and Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings, "The 40-Year-Old Virgin").
The portal in which Thor - as well as his hammer of power - is cast through is also the subject of investigation by several government agencies led by Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg, "Iron Man," "The 500 Days Of Summer"), among others. All the while, everything is being observed by the treacherous Loki - who is now the ad hoc king - and his minions.
Like other Marvel offerings, this picture is heavy on the action, as well as the high-tech explosives and CGI pyrotechnics. What sets this one apart, however, is Branagh's Shakespearian touch (he did earn an Oscar nomination in 1989 for his acting and direction in "Henry V", so maybe we shouldn't be too surprised).
The otherworldly dynamic between the feuding brothers and the disappointed father is well-played, as is the relationship between the earthbound characters. Portman - fresh off of her Academy Award victory - and the lightweight Hemsworth are not given much to chew on in the romantic department, but the other characters, especially Selvig and Lewis add some real humor to the story.
Also, look for the obligatory appearance by creator Stan Lee (I will not give it away, but it is short and hilarious). Smartly-written by Ashley Miller and Zack Stenz, among others, and expertly directed, "Thor" kicks off the summer film season just right. Here's hoping the movies that follow will be able to live up to this example.
That hope springs eternal, but experience may sadly prove otherwise ...