Reel Reviews: Thor

Magneto's Movies

Reel Reviews

The release of Thor: The Dark World means that its time to review the first film in the Thor franchise, Directed by Kenneth Branagh; Thor was probably the most riskiest property that Marvel Studios brought out on its road to The Avengers. The film however went onto become a blockbuster, and made stars out of talented actors Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston. 

Movie: Thor

 

Release Date: 6th May 2011

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Cast: Chris Hemsworth as Thor Odinson, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Kat Dennings as Darcy Lewis, Stellan Skarsgard as Eric Selvig, Colm Feore as Laufey, Idris Elba as Heimdall, Ray Stevenson as Volstagg, Tadanobu Asano as Hogun, Joshua Dallas as Fandral, Jamie Alexander as Sif, Rene Russo as Frigga, Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson, Maximiliano Hernandez as Agent Sitwell, Dakota Goyo as Young Thor, Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye with Samuel L Jackson as Nick Fury and Anthony Hopkins as Odin

Genre: Comic Book

Score: 7.5/10

Pros:-The scripts fish out of water type comedy is hilarious and makes the slow first and second acts entertaining

          -Loki's descent to villainy is written good

          -Branagh brings a terrific Shakespearean flare to his work, it sits perfectly alongside the comic book elements as well as the Norse Mythology

          -The multiple references to the universe, cohesively ties the film well

          -All round the performances are spectacular, Hemsworth handles himself well as a lead where as Hiddleston is a revelation far outshining his more accomplished co-stars

          -The visualized concept of Asgard, Jotunheim and characters is great

Cons:-The film follows some base tropes for an origin hero, just the situation is tad different

           -Thor humility character arc is developed too fast, where as his romance with Jane and the two actors chemistry is non existent

           -Supporting fan favorite comic book characters aren't developed enough and are generically wasted

           -The action sequences apart from Thor's hammer aren't really special, the final fight is a bit off a disappointment

Best Scene: When Loki finds about his true parentage, his confrontation with Odin is spectacular. Hiddleston brings his A game against a talented thespian like Hopkins, and far outshines him. 

Best Performance: Tom Hiddleston as Loki

Best Dialogue: "Loki, this is madness?"-Thor

"Is it madness? Is it? IS IT? I don't know what happened on Earth to make you so soft! Don't tell me it was that woman?... Oh, it was. Well maybe, when we're done here, I'll pay her a visit myself"-Loki

Coolest Comic Book Reference: Thor is given the alias of Doctor Donald Blake when he is one Earth, in the comics when he is banished to Earth Thor adopts the identity of Donald Blake. 

Story

 

Thor's story follows quite typical themes of superhero origins and in its base form the proper comic book origins (Original and Ultimate).

Long ago, a race known as the Frost Giants sought to plunge the world in eternal winter using The Casket of Ancient Winters. Their attack on Earth brought the much more advanced race of Asgardians to save humanity. Led by their fearless King Odin, the Asgardians ushered in a tumultuous peace  between them and the Giants of Jotunheim. Odin took their Casket for protection. These events witnessed by humans etched the Asgardians as Norse Gods. It is years later, and this peace is about to crumble

An arrogant warrior from the realm of Asgard, Thor is set to take over the throne from his weary father; Odin. Everyone is happy except for his half brother; Loki, who feels he is much more deserving. An attack by Asgard's old enemies, the Frost Giants of Jotunheim prompts the headstrong Thor to confront them at their realm.

Having defied Odin's commands over his own hubris, Thor is banished to Earth to learn humility. Only then will he be worthy to pick up his hammer; Mjolnir and return to Asgard the Godly warrior he is. While Loki discovers his true parentage (Laufey-the leader of the Frost Ginats).

Where through heartbreaking means Thor learns humility, Loki claims the throne. The two brothers get set for a clash that alters Asgard, and puts their destinies on a path towards eternal collision.

First lets put it in context, by the time Thor was conceived major directions for The Avengers films had been planned. As such, Thor's story and its writers follow a certain already laid out narrative path. Not only that but considering its an origin film, the deeper themes and moral values are typically in line with the essence of learning or tasting heroism.

The best thing to this already created end point, is that the film contains a lot of good references to things both for the movie universe and the standard Marvel comic universe. Thor is one of the reasons why the MCU is considered a great connective franchise of films, the cohesive structure not just in its planned out self but also with its relatable franchise films makes it that much better.

The real gem of the film is its different concept regarding the heroes origin. Thor has to learn the ideals of heroism, but he already has the powers and the experience of using them from the start. The subversion of him having to learn responsibility and humility as a hero without powers works really well for the film. His own landing on Earth (a realm he is surprisingly unfamiliar with considering he is their god) also adds a touch of great humanizing lightheartedness within the plot.

Marvel studios and the writers they hire proves that they've got a grasp of a certain entertaining blockbuster formula. The fish out of water situation here is played out well for laughter, but never stretched thin neither bearing on the dramatics of the scenes.

It helps that the writer not only craft good dialogue but also envision creative physical forms of comedy on screen. The work on the paper for the screen rather than just focusing on descriptive writing.  You can see the tight knit collaboration between the writers and their director.

As mentioned dialogue is great, Branagh as director is supported well by the writers in bringing out his Shakespearean style through the dialogue.

The knowledge of a certain end point, however is a double edged sword. The need to stick to continuity, means that the character work on paper is quite flimsy and half baked. Time constraints in-universe really doesn't help.

Supporting characters really just get to pop up once to prove what they can do. The secondary villains; the frost giants, really don't get the development from the writers that Colm Feore tries to give in his performance. 

 The writers try to humanize Thor through Jane, but fail due to the half baked romantic angle and their time constraints regarding pacing

Jane and Thor's relationship isn't really developed well enough to make us believe their pining for each other through the end and subsequent other films. Their kiss just doesn't do it like it did in Iron Man 2 for Pepper and Tony.

Thor himself gets a really nice arc in name, his learning of humility while typical could have been good. Key word 'could'. Instead the film develops so fast with the end in mind, that this arc just falls on itself. It doesn't ring true and neither resonates well.

I would have loved Thor to stay banished longer in the franchise. However in honesty I also cannot seem to see who he would then face in his first adventure that would be as a threat emotionally and physically as Loki, back in Asgard.

Since Thor's arc goes fast, then Loki's does too. His descent into madness and misguided villainy works only well because of the performance rather than the quick writing.

 Still for what its worth the writing really adapts the source well, and prevents it from becoming too hooky to bear. The comedy is classic Marvel (now) and the dramatics is classic Branagh, the writers follow well to their director and studios methods.

Score: 6.9/10

Direction

Having mentioned it before I will say it again, Kenneth Branagh handles Thor in such a way that the execution of such a material requires a standing ovation. The film has the print of Branagh's hard work on it.

The theatrics and over bearing but not melodramatic drama, screams of Branagh's history as a part of Shakespearean style of theater. Its in scenes such as this that the director etches powerful memories for the film. 

Considering their poise and knowing their characters, there is a certain aura of theater to the film added due to Branagh's artistic vision

Confrontations between both Loki and Thor and Loki and Odin are powered by the directors works. His actors support him well, but Branagh brings the best out of the young, raw and unknown talents that are Tom Hiddleston and Chris Hemsworth. 

Even the Earth based second act, Branagh has a commanding presence. In fact it was his insistence for an extended time on Earth, he highlights the humanizing portion of the film more so than his writers making it relatable for the audiences.

The camera work helps immensely. Tracking the CGI built Asgard the way that it does, the cinematography adds the grandiose nature to it. Close up shots help evoke the emotions of seething rage, power, heartbreak and despair for the audience.

Also the set and production design highlight Asgard and the films Nordic influences perfectly. Unfortunately it doesn't add realism to the New Mexican town consisting of just two blocks. Still it does blend well with the special effects.

With the effects, we can see the hint of creativity the team as a whole brings in scenes of travelling between realms and action scenes based on Thor's hammer work. Still the film falters in giving us some powerful action set pieces. Its climatic fight scene is also a tad bit underwhelming, this works though when considering Avengers overblown finale but also doesn't because we witness a much more powerful dialogue driven confrontation between the brothers just seconds before. 

The phase one solo films final scenes can be said to be deliberately underwhelming in order to make the one in Avengers seem that much better.

Branagh really puts in a lot of work in the film, and it pops out. His direction and leadership help a great team strive to make a good film.

Score: 7.7/10

Performances

For a film carried by two unknowns, the performances really shine well and prove that there is quite a large pool of struggling talent that get what they deserve if they work hard like these two.

But first the supporting cast. Ray Stevenson, Asano and Joshua Dallas don't get much to do as the warriors three but they don't seem bad in their roles. Jaimie Alexander proves her character strong thanks to her acting within the screen time she gets. Rene Russo is wasted in this small role but had a somewhat mildly emotional confrontation at the end with Loki, apparently a lot of her scenes furthering development were cut out. Idris Elba is great as always in a limited role with one action scene.Colm Feore brings out the sadness and burden of a failed king within secondary villain Laufey.

Anthony Hopkins with his charisma also proves to get into the regal character of Odin well, his style of dramatics suits Branagh's own artistic vision. Even then it doesn't seem that Marvel were smart enough to utilize him much better, since his character sleeps through the film for a long time.

Skarsgard plays the good emotional and knowledgeable exposition shouting part well. Kat Dennings hits the right balance between annoying and funny that her character has to. Clark Gregg once again shines as a much more developed and likable man of SHIELD.

Apparently unlike her male co-stars, Portman didn't get a fully realized character. Being told only that she is an astrophysicist, her performance comes out good and its really shows her hard work in the research she put in to make it as realistic as possible. Unfortunately the half baked romantic angle, couple with her non existent chemistry with Hemsworth really bogs her performance down. 

Two talented but relative unknowns with a once considered unfilmable property, Marvel truly reaped the rewards of its risks

Chris Hemsworth carries himself surprisingly well as the lead of the film for his first time. He bears the burden of the emotional arc powerfully, making it much better than is with his expressive face and strong body language. In the action scenes he performs in fluid motion. Its his knack of subtlety in the physical comedy that makes his showing spectacularly genius. His dialogue delivery also helps. Still Hemsworth works much better as the arrogant aloof god then the humble man.

The real show stopper however is Tom Hiddleston as Loki. A theatre actor himself, Tom utilizes his experience to great effect in really overpowering his co stars in dramatic scenes. He brings out certain layers to his character just by his dialogue delivery and body language. You notice the change in the character much better thanks to his performance especially in movement and change of style from emotionally scarred to mentally misguided. No wonder since this film's release, the actor has gone on to become a well deserving star.

It’s the performances that make this film great as well. For two young actors, this is the moment they announce themselves far overshadowing their more experienced counterparts.

Score: 8/10

Sound/Score

The music in the film has a sense of enhanced drama to it with a hint of Viking influences. It works to give a sense of royalty and mesmerizing power to the scenes in Asgard.

Most of the music fits perfectly with the mood of the film, without really taking away from it. The fact that it isn't so memorable in that sense works in its favor.

Score: 7.2/10

VFX

As mentioned before, the VFX is really creatively executed for a film that was once thought to be impossible to make. The Bifrost bridge and Asgard look stunning in all its cinematic glory. Things such as dimensional travel as well as the effects of Thor's lightning and Caskets ice power also mesmerize.

Creatures, the destroyer and Frost Giants designs are depicted in a cool (pun intended) fashion.

However in order to make it brilliant. These effects especially Asgard shines too much, coming off as plastic and fake.

Concept art for the climatic fight scene between Thor and Loki. The Bifrost Bridge was rendered better on screen than in this drawing

Still for a first time the films VFX job is great if not awesome.

Score: 7.6/10

Source

The collection of Marvel comic items found in Thor's vault. Each represents a grand scale of Marvel comics history.

I have fully decided to skip source as a grading place. I realize that the films will fail to truly follow the comics, as such I will just list down the differences and similarities including Easter eggs from the comics. Also mentioning the in universe Easter eggs.

-The most important easter egg is within Odin's vault, containing a slew of powerful items that will most likely play as Macguffins (objects creating course of action for furthering plots) for future Marvel films

-These include; The eternal flame used to power fire demon Surtur's sword Twilight (don't worry it doesn't sparkle as much)

-Warlock's Eye, although initially thought to be Dr Strange's Eye of Agamotto. In truth this relatively unknown item was stolen by Thor and The Warriors three from the villainous Harokin.

-if it is the eye then it alludes to Dr. Strange (a movie in development). Still there is also Strange's  Orb of Agamotto, used to locate the use of dangerous magic for the good doctor to prevent.

-The Tablet of Life, giving its bearer a formula in becoming the most powerful person of their species and immortal

-Finally the Infinity Gauntlet.  Matched with its six gems, the gauntlet gives its wearer unlimited power. This was a hint towards the MCU's future, as the occasional wearer of the gauntlet; Thanos (big purple guy) made his debut in The Avengers mid credit scene.

-Written language in the film resembles that of ancient Viking writing, tying into Norse Mythology.

-The ancient fight scene in Norway (Odin versus the Frost Giants) takes place in the same place as Red Skull finds the Tesseract in Norway in Captain America

-When Thor lives with Jane on Earth, he borrows her ex's clothes. Her ex is Donald Blake, the alias Thor used when he was banished to Earth in a human form.

-A poster in Thor reads Journey into Mystery considering that New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment. But this also an easter egg of the title of the book that Thor first appeared in, issue 83 of JIM and ended up becoming its main feature. 

-Jeremy Renner makes a slick cameo as Hawkeye in order to stop Thor's rampage in search for his hammer. He shows more personality in these few seconds than he does in the whole of Avengers.

-Skarsgard's Selvig speaks of a colleague who lost his work and disappeared when fighting against SHIELD like Jane wishes to do after the same is done to her, this colleague was a certain green skinned gamma expert AKA the Hulk.

-As usual Stan Lee makes a cameo, this time as a truck driver trying to pull out Thor's hammer fallen from Asgard. Sorry Stan; you're not worthy.

-Thor writer JMS is the first to try pulling the said hammer. It’s a funny in joke, since his writing stint began with Thor's hammer falling from the sky.

-Famed and best Thor writer Walt Simonson also cameos in a banquet scene in the films Asgardian portion.

What a review!

By Odin's Beard!

Aneesh Raikundalia