Movies •Books •Music •Food •Tv Shows •Technology •Politics •Video Games •Parenting •Fashion •Green Living •more >

Lunch » Tags » Movies » Reviews » Thor (2011 movie) » User review

Thor (2011 movie)

A 2011 action/fantasy film directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Edit Topic

< read all 28 reviews

Thor... an attempt to bring Shakespeare to comics

May 7, 2011

by HDepew
posted in Movie Hype

Exclusive to the Lunch Network

Rating:

Most people would recognize Kenneth Branagh as one of top Shakespearean actors or more recently for his role as Professor Lockhart. His is a brilliant actor in just about everything he does (even though sometimes over acted), and although this is not his first stab at directing it is his first take at a film of such "epic" proportions. I will however be completely honest with you, if you attempt to go see Thor in 3D you are wasting your money. There is NOTHING 3D about this film. It was NOT shot in 3D -- in fact it was shot in 2D and then converted. Although the "3D" does not appear as painful as that of Clash of the Titans (only meaning I didn't have a splitting headache by the end of the film) I was thoroughly irritated that I wasted my money when there was no 3D involved.

Aside from that massive fail, Thor was entertaining. Just like all of Branagh's Shakes films, Thor is very pretty to look at. The CGI is well done and Asgard is very much a world fit for the comics. It almost felt like Lord of the Rings had stepped into the world of Heros and traveled back in time only to travel back to present day etc, while also bringing along a few of the monsters from the Buffy/Angel series. (Sadly I feel like I'm now waiting for the punch line of a "walks into the bar" joke) There is however one slight downside to this film...

If you have seen any of the Shakes films Branagh directed/acted in, I'm sure that you will start to notice little things about Thor... Say that is sort of feels like Branagh wanted to relive his "glory days" and take the Henry V play and throw it into the comic universe via Thor. Well there you have it, Thor (who sounds sort of english) goes off to war and just in the midst of a "bloody battle" (fight with Destroyer) the king (Thor) makes a LONG speech to his men (Sif and the Warriors Three) and only to go back into battle to victory. There was even a moment during the film where I half expected Branagh to make a cameo appearance. There was, of course, the Stan Lee appearance which was hilarious and even the Jeremy Renner appearance (although brief) brought out a few chuckles. It was almost like Branagh was so caught up in the Hamlet/Henry V aspects of the story that everything else was just glossed over.

Don't get me wrong. I did not hate Thor. I found it passable. It kept me entertained for the full 130 minutes, even though it was a bit of a stretch at times. I thought Chris Hemsworth was as good a Thor as was needed and his chemistry with Natalie Portman was believable, even though she came across like a bit of a giggly-girl meeting her very first crush. I found that Kat Dennings as Darcy to actually be the best character, even though she was really only there as the comic relief (which wasn't really needed since Portman was doing well enough with that on her own). Even Stellan Skarsgard was a fine addition to the cast as Erik Selvig. I will say that I sort of had a hard time with Tom Hiddleston as Loki though. He was the only character I felt wasn't really all there and I kept picturing Joseph Gordon-Levitt in his place since it was just as bad a role as Cobra Commander. They also kinda look alike. And unfortunately I keep almost forgetting that Anthony Hopkins is even in the film. I love the man to pieces but Odin is the second least memorable character and his role in the film is so small that I find it hard to believe that Hopkins even accepted the role. I guess he just wanted to play a few more gods and monsters before retiring.

Over all I give Thor a 2 out of 5. It's not a film that will blow your mind, but it is at the very least entertaining. I'm sure that it will do fine in theaters, maybe even well enough for Marvel Studios to attempt a round 2 with the franchise (however I wouldn't hold your breathe since it can't touch the Iron Man franchise with a ten foot pole). It will be interesting to see what happens to Thor in the Avengers though, and who knows, maybe fans will fall in love with him enough to MAYBE bring him back to the big screen.

What did you think of this review?

Helpful

Thought-Provoking

Fun to Read

Well-Organized

Post a Comment

FM_ALEX May 21, 2011

Great review

show text editor

reply to this comment

Follow this review

woopak_the_thrill May 07, 2011

great review! I was actually torn between a 3 or a 3.5/5 with this movie, I guess I tried to respect what it was trying to do and truthfully, it could've been a lot worst, memories of Fantastic Four are still fresh in my mind. That said, I agree with everything you've said and you're not the only one who felt that it wasn't mind-blowing. I think it took too much time in the Earth scenes and I didn't like those devices that it worked with. Great review and thanks for posting it under the Movie Hype banner. All Thor reviews are featured!

Great commentary on the director by the way....I did not know that.

show text editor

reply to this comment

Follow this review

Scotman May 07, 2011

Good review ,but I do think I will like it more, being a comics geek and all. Interesting comparison to Shakespearian direction. Thanks!

show text editor

reply to this comment

Follow this review

More Thor (2011 movie) reviews

review by woopak_the_thrill. May 06, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

Whosoever Holds This Hammer If He Be Worthy, Shall Possess The Power of Thor!!

Those who follow my blurbs and/or write ups know that I have recently posted a sort of ‘guide’ to Thor since I think it is safe to assume that not that many folks have knowledge of the character and who he is. The character isn’t as widely popular as “Superman” or as familiar as Spider-Man. Well, after almost 50 years, the Marvel character known as “Thor” is finally being unleashed as a massive mainstream movie. When I heard that the first intended director … more

Comments (21) Compliments (96)

review by woopak_the_thrill. May 05, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

The God of Thunder Finally On His First Feature Film...Hype On!!

It is pretty much to be expected that I will be reviewing the film “Thor” for Movie Hype since I am a Marvel comics nut and that I pretty much almost own (or owned, since I lost a small number in a flood) every issue of the comic series since Thor first appeared in “Journey Into Mystery”. I even used "Thor" as my profile avatar in this site for awhile (people asked me: "Is that He-Man?" LOL!). To hype up the film adaptation of Marvel’s own “God … more

Comments (18) Compliments (108)

review by TheJohn. May 06, 2012

posted in Movie Hype

This S.H.I.E.L.D. movie needed more Thor

Remember the 80's with movies like Masters of the Universe, Beastmaster 2, among others that took it's far out fantasy characters from another world, took them from that other world and dropped them into modern day Earth? How about other comic movies like Judge Dredd that remove the protagonist from his job and have him more down to Earth or less fantastic? Thats what sadly happens here to Thor but don't compare this completely to those I just mentioned as it's not that … more

Comments (6) Compliments (57)

review by JP_Rocky_Raccoon. December 06, 2011

'Thor' Revitalizes the Comic Hero Movie

'Thor' at first glance doesn't do anything new, but it's so well done, it absorbs for two hours and leaves one feeling entirely transported. The plot is hardly convoluted: Thor is groomed to be the next successor for his elderly father, but Thors headstrong, warlord character flaws get him kicked out of the galaxy (sort of a part Scandinavia in space) and sent to earth, almost powerless. The culture clash is like an alien pro wrestler caught in a web of our present, complicated society. Kenneth … more

Comments (1) Compliments (21)

review by CRSwanson. May 10, 2011

Ragnarok and Roll!

And so begins the summer; not with a whimper, but with a bang. Yes, Kenneth Branagh’s super-hero epic has arrived, and it’s… really quite good, actually, provided you just put your brain into neutral and let the sheer energy of it all roll over you. The story tells the tale of Thor (Chris Hemsworth, who is certainly not the worst-looking man ever filmed), a young Asgardian about to be made heir to the throne by his father, Odin (Anthony Hopkins). In the background … more

Comments (3) Compliments (36)

review by ryguy4738. October 09, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

Entertaining but flawed Marvel superhero origin story.

**1/2 out of **** Explosions, special effects, a sense of humor, and enthusiastic, dedicated leads. I'm getting tired of superhero movies; as 2011 seems to be a pretty big year for them, albeit a very mediocre one. You've got your good superhero movies and then you've got the ones that lack depth of importance. Chances are, I will forget most of the superhero movies I've seen including the ones that I simply liked. The ones that I loved shall get a much more appropriate treatment. … more

Comments (1) Compliments (12)

review by kfontenot. June 01, 2011

Call Down Thunder!

I've waited a very long time to see a film adaptation of Thor hit the big screen. I've always been a fan of Marvel's version of the God of Thunder, and I'm even a bigger fan of the Thor of Norse mythology. When I heard that Kenneth Branagh would be at the helm of this project, I knew immediately that Marvel was doing something really special with the story, and I was right. Thor opens with a description of the great battle between the Asgardians … more

Comments (2) Compliments (24)

review by zstoner66. May 20, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

Thor

The superhero movie has been a staple of the big budget studio blockbuster for a decade now. They always make it one of their tent pole movies; and even if it gets bad reviews the studio always gets their money back, and then some. Since movies like ‘The Dark Knight’ and ‘Iron Man,’ the bar is now so high it may not be possible to just crank these movies out. Unless you are looking to only use this plot as a jumping off point to a huge ensemble undertaking next year … more

Comments (2) Compliments (24)

review by MichaelN. September 17, 2011

posted in Movie Hype

Better Than I Expected But Still Not Great

I wasn't expecting much when I saw this film. I was thinking that it would be worse than Daredevil. It was actually better. Asgard had been at war with the Storm Giants but a truce now prevails. Thor and his brother Loki are shown being tutored by their father, Odin who is also King of Asgard. Odin decides that he will name Thor as his air and on the day he will make it public, some Storm Giants are able to sneak in to try to steal a casket that will give their realm great … more

Comments (1) Compliments (12)

review by rrznik. May 23, 2011

posted in Forbidden Planet - Sci-Fi Books & Films!

Thor Wears Women's Underwear

The title to this post is in no way true... but it got your attention. This past weekend I happened to catch "Thor," the latest super hero movie destined to culminate in the fanboy joygazm that will soon be know as "The Avengers." Now before I saw this movie I heard a great many mixed reviews from a great many people: "It's the greatest super hero movie ever," "It was totally gay," "The only thing redeeming was … more

Comments (3) Compliments (12)

see all Thor (2011 movie) reviews (28)

About the reviewer

Hannah aka Angry Penguin (HDepew)
Ranked #106

I am a film fanatic, constantly watching films new and old. When not watching movies I'm reading YA lit or sci-fi/fantasy novels, or working on completing my own book. If … more

Consider the Source

Use Trust Points to see how much you can rely on this review.

Predators

Avatar (2009 film)

Repo Men (2010 movie)

Jonah Hex (2010)

rate more to improve this

Recent reviews by HDepew

Cowboys & Aliens... not quite the gunslinger we were …
a review of Cowboys & Aliens (2011 film)

The Change-Up... a new take on the body-switch comedy …
a review of The Change-Up

Horrible Bosses... better weapons than a red stapler …
a review of Horrible Bosses

see more reviews

About this movie

Wiki

Marvel Studios expands its film universe with a new type of superhero: THOR. This epic adventure spans the Marvel Universe; from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth. Kenneth Branagh directs this fantasy epic which stars Australian actor Chris Hemsworth as the ancient Norse god, Tom Hiddleston as his evil brother Loki, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, a young woman who befriends Thor on Earth, and Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Thor's father and king of Asgard. Expect to see agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., previously seen in ''Iron Man,'' to make an appearance, further forshadowing the coming of The Avengers!

Directed by Kenneth Branagh. With Natalie Portman, Chris Hemsworth, Idris Elba. Visit IMDb for Photos, Showtimes, Cast, Crew, Reviews, Plot Summary, Comments, Discussions, Taglines, Trailers, Posters, Fan Sites
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0800369/

view wiki