The last time Kenneth Branagh directed a piece of cinema based on a pop culture icon, the project fell flat on its ugly and scarred face.
Remember Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein?
No? Well, that’s good.
That’s great actually.
The last thing you want to pop in your head during this film is Robert De Niro’s butt.
Because for all intensive purposes, there is nothing ugly or scarred about Branagh’s new film, “Thor: God of Thunder. ”
Sleek, sexy and super epic, this film is able to bring one of Marvel’s most influential, yet often overlooked and under-appreciated characters to life in a way that makes it fun for everyone.
At the same time, those who appreciate Branagh’s Shakespearean-style will get the most out of this film. It’s two-hour running time may not sit well with casual movie goers that were expecting a more action heavy film than action/drama hybrid the film ultimately is.
That’s not to say there isn’t plenty of action, but most of it is in the early going. Through the first 20 minutes, Chris Hemsworth establishes himself as a hunk to the ladies and a hammer-wielding bad-ass to the guys. With his rugged good looks and charismatic demeanor, Hemsworth is excellent as Thor.
After the first few scene changes, the film is more of a love story between Thor and Jane Foster (played by Natalie Portman, who is solid as the nerdy and beautiful physicist who captures Thor’s heart) and the conflict between the two brother gods.
Speaking of Loki, while his mischief making is more subtle than devious, Tom Hiddleston proves himself as a formidable foe.
The same thing can be said for Anthony Hopkins and Rene Russo, who are stoic and royal in their roles as the parents of Loki and Thor.
With so many solid performances, film fans that want more than a hammer-swinging fest will leave the theatre happy. In the process, it does the comic proud.
Overall, it’s smart, often times charming, with tints of humor and wit. What more could a fan-boy ask for?
Vivid and full of color, the film gets the most out of the duality between Asguard and Earth. While at times the characters look like they’re pulled from a Capital One Ad and the product placement was a bit weird (one shot was of the town’s skyline with nothing noticeable but a Burger King billboard), most of the time everything goes as planned.
As a result, fans of the comic will get a story they can enjoy and one that they most certainly expected.
Simply put, there are no curve-balls here. While the story is fun and large in scope, it’s predictable, but still enjoyable. It’s like going to Burger King and asking for a whopper. What do you get? Pickles, mayo, beef and a bun. Good times- if that’s what you were looking for.
However, casual movie buffs who didn’t expect a two-hour film that flows like a work of theatre may want to slam their hammers in frustration.
To them, comic books aren’t supposed to be as epic and multi-layered.
For these people, “Rio,” a film that requires much less thinking and features just as much pretty colors. It’s probably playing in the next theatre. Watch that instead. Leave this one to the true believers.
Nuff said :-)