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Although Thor, son of Odin, may not normally be associated with superheroes such as Iron Man or Hulk, the Norse god of thunder and lighting first made a comic book debut in the anthology series Journey into Mystery. And 2011 Kenneth Branagh-directed Marvel Studios production “Thor” finds the hammer-wielding hero blasting onto the big screen.
The Frost Giants of Jotunheim led by their king, Laufey (Colm Feore), warred against the Asgardians. Odin (Anthony Hopkins) defeated the Frost Giants, thwarting their would-be conquest of the nine realms. After beating the Frost Giants in battle, Odin took with him to Asgard their power source, the Casket of Ancient Winters. Flash forward to present day, and Odin’s son Thor (Chris Hemsworth), prepares to take the Asgardian throne. But the Frost Giants sneak into Asgard in an attempt to steal back the Casket of Ancient Winters. Thor, along with Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander) and the Warriors Three Volstagg (Ray Stevenson), Fandral (Josh Dallas), and Hogun (Tadanobu Asano), travel to Jotunheim alongside Thor’s brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston). During a battle with the Frost Giants, Odin intervenes and, upon returning to Asgard, strips Thor of his powers and banishes him and his hammer Mjölnir to Earth.
Landing in New Mexico, astrophysicist Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), her mentor Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård), and her intern Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings), witness Thor crash landing on earth. After accidentally striking Thor with her car, Foster deposits Thor at a hospital. Realizing that Thor is a key to Einstein-Rosen bridge or wormhole Jane witnessed, she returns to the hospital to find him. The Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, or S.H.I.E.L.D., led by Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg), discover Mjölnir, ultimately creating a makeshift structure around the hammer. Thor, aided by Dr. Foster, infiltrates the S.H.I.E.L.D. facility, though it unable to lift the hammer. Meanwhile, Loki sends a powerful automaton, the Destroyer, to pursue his brother.
Unlike many superhero films, “Thor” glistens with a regal quality. In part, that’s owed to its subject matter which swaps science fiction for mythology. But undoubtedly director Kenneth Branagh, renowned for his Shakespearean acting and directing, lends an epic vision of grandeur to “Thor.” Even the scriptwriting extends that epic notion, with a dramatic flair. Asgard shimmers with an otherworldly quality, resplendent with gold accents, gargantuan columns, and its shimmery rainbow bridge, the Bifrost. Yet the movie unites science with mysticism, as Jane’s research on Einstin-Rosen bridges helps partially explain the Bifrost. What Asgardians view as science appears magical to humans.
Visually, “Thor” is stunning. Composer Patrick Doyle’s score complements the on-screen action magnificently. Acting remains strong through, with a true ensemble cast. Chris Hemsworth wows as the titular Thor, with solid performances from Portman, Skarsgård, and Dennings. Possibly no other thespian besides Sir Anthony Hopkins could assume the mantle of Odin. As Loki, Tom Hiddleston, who previously collaborated with Branagh on BBC One’s 2008 adaptation of “Wallander,” steals nearly each scene he’s in. Clark Gregg reprises his role as S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Phil Coulson or, as Thor dubs him, Philip Son of Coul.
Underneath the glittering veneer of regality, there’s an endearing wit. It manifests in the ragtag team of Jane Foster, unpaid constantly-quipping intern Darcy, and Dr. Selvig, but is most apparent in Thor’s Earth adventure. From the moment of his ungraceful landing, the son of Odin is out of his element. One particular spot of hilarity finds Thor gulping down a cup of coffee then proclaiming, “this drink, I like it. Another!” while gleefully smashing the ceramic mug on the ground. As he explains, it’s Asgardian culture. Upon discovering the location of his hammer, Thor barges into a pet store proclaiming authoritatively, “I need a horse!”
Whee many comic book-based movies showcase superheroes gaining their powers, 2011’s “Thor” takes a different route. Instead, the movie finds Thor stripped of his powers and earning back his worthiness as Odinson. An enjoyable origin story, it’s marvelously shot, scored, and acted. Balancing action and comedy perfectly, Kenneth Branagh brings a Shakespearean flair to the overall flick that sets it apart, providing a much-needed dramatic influence. Overall, “Thor” hits the nail on the head, succeeding on nearly every level.
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