Chris Hemsworth may be mighty as a god, but his film is merely mortal.

Rating: 6/10 (16 May 2011)

Thor is the Marvel comic book adaptation of Thor, the Norse god of thunder. Thor played by Chris Hemsworth is the son of Odin, King of the realm Asgard. We are introduced to the golden world of Asgard during a ceremony in which Odin, played by Anthony Hopkins, is about to pass the throne to Thor. Unfortunately some frost giants from the realm Jotunheim ruin event by trying to steal a powerful magic artifact, an artifact that was once theirs but was lost in a long and bloody war with the Asgardians.
When the thievery is thwarted Thor goes into a rage demanding payback for the insolent frost giants. Thor request permission from his father to assault the frost giant's home realm. When Odin refuses Thor and his band of warrior friends leave for Jotunheim in secret. Equipped with his mighty hammer Mjolnir, which gives Thor super speed, strength, the ability to fly, and control over lighting and wind, Thor goes on a smashing spree in the ice world. Without heeding the words of his younger brother Loki, played Tom Hiddlestone, and with little regard for his friends Thor breaks the long truce between Asgard and Jotunheim.
Angered by Thor's arrogance and disrespect Odin strips Thor of his powers and sends him to the realm of Earth. Thor lands in New Mexico where the Astrologist Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman meets Thor by accidentally hitting him with her car. From here on it's a "fish out of water" story with Thor learning humility by living as a mortal. All the while back in Asgard, Thor's brother Loki plots to take power for himself.
Thor is competently made and for the most part you'll be enjoying the ride, but after it's over you'll most likely dive straight back into your busy life without giving Thor another thought. Thor is not the cinematic master piece that is The Dark Knight and it's no Iron Man 1. The reason being is that Thor's character development is at best, awkward. At first he's arrogant wanting nothing more that to bash some big frosty bodies. The next he falls in love with a scientist who basically all she does is drive him places and feed him. Thor's highs and lows are too extreme to build much an emotional connection to the audience.
However, Chris Hemsworth does have a magnetic aura and there's no doubt we'll be seeing much more of him in the future. Throughout the film Chris pulls off both bravado and comedy. Hopkins plays a great king and Hiddlestone can definitely act. The acting all around is superb but with one minor exception. You wouldn't think that this weak spot would come from a 2011 Oscar winner but unfortunately that is the chase in Thor. To her credit Portman did the best with what she had, but what she had can be summed up into a single thought - Fall in love Thor because he talks funny and is a hunk. There is absolutely no chemistry between the two and there conversations are literally: Portman - I don't understand you. Hemsworth - Don't worry it'll be okay.
The cinematography is alright but reminds me a bit of the 2009 Star Trek with all its flashy lens flares and overuse of tilted shots. The editing is fairly well done for a movie that has to jump back and forth between Earth and Asgard. The special effects are definitely up to par with Marvel's recent films, I especially liked the how the did the Metal guardian 'Destroyer'. My main visual gripe is with in the first battle scene. It's far too dark and up close to see much, it felt a lot like Batman Begins where you see all this cool action but you just wish the camera would back up 2 feet.
All in all Thor is an 'ok' film. It's not a disaster but it just feels like something you should to watch in order to be prepared for the up and coming Avenger film, rather than something to enjoy just for itself.
Who this film is not for: -People with high expectations
Major gripes:
-Battle scenes are in the wrong order. By far the coolest battle scene was the first one and the weakest one was the last one with Loki. In the beginning of the film Thor took on like a hundred frost giants by himself while Loki struggled to take on just two. How are we supposed to take Loki as a serious challenge to Thor at the end when they are so vastly different in power? Loki didn't even use the all power Frost Casket thingy that he used on the bridge guardian!?
-In the battle with Loki and Thor, Loki does an illusion Trick and is able to get a free shot in the back of Thor, yet when he does zap Thor with his staff, Thor's not even hurt!? He gets up and smashes his hammer into the ground and Loki flies 20 feet away.
-What happened to the Frost Giants saying blood will flow!? Whatever happened to that war?
-Natalie Portman and all the human characters were basically shallow vessels for plot. Kate Dennings' character is useless except for making jokes
-Odin conveniently having a 'heart attack' when Loki yells at him was a little over the top...way to be original Brangah....
-Thor accepting his fate on earth in like two days was a bit of a stretch. When his friends come to return him to Asgard Thor's like "it's cool dude, I'm just gonna stay right here, I don't care about being King anymore or seeing my mother or my home land or getting back my powers".... yeahh..... rightt......