That’s it the summer can officially begin! The first blockbuster of the year is released and it comes in the shape of Thor, brought to the screen by Mr Kenneth ’4 hours is an acceptable running time for a film’ Branagh. The master of all things Shakespeare managed to convince those jerks down at Marvel Studios to give him the director’s chair, but can a firmly B list director step up to such a big blockbuster?
For one, it’s strange that a film centred around a Norse God actually feels more comfortable when it’s Earth bound. After a slow first act spent mostly in Asgard, the film starts to pick up as Midgard (Earth) comes into the equation. It doesn’t resort to tired old scenes of Thor having to adapt to life on Earth… which is nice, and there’s a really brilliant, albeit unexpected comedy element that saves the film from ever seeming too pompous. There’s also a great rapport between Thor, Foster (Natalie Portman) and her scientific team, which I’m assuming is down to Branagh’s super directing skills.
It’s when the action takes place in Asgard that the film suffers. Branagh brings some Shakespearean grandeur to the conflict between Thor, Odin and Loki (Loki can easily be compared to the character of Iago from Shakespeare’s Othello, a role Branagh has played himself in the past) but it isn’t subtle, and only serves to weigh the film down. Constant wide shots sweeping over Asgard leave the buildings and statues looking like a toy city, the inhabitant’s just small blips in the frame; and the Asgardian costumes are a bit rubbish, a fact which becomes painfully apparent in a scene on Earth. THEY LOOK LIKE POWER RANGERS!! – ED
When everyone isn’t shouting at each other though, and the CGI is firmly in the back of the frame, Branagh gets the chance to really work with the relationships between Thor, his father and his friends… and perhaps more importantly, the adventure.
The film is well cast and Chris Hemsworth really fills out in the role of Thor, looking completely comfortable in both armour or jeans and t-shirts. Tom Hiddleston is also very good in the role of Loki, who is as mischievous as we all know the character to be, and Idris Elba makes a great Heimdall. The script for the most part does the job even if it is all a little predictable, as well as the following niggles; a harsh jump cut from child to man means we never know what caused Thor to become so arrogant, and it’s difficult to identify with him until he comes to Earth, also do we ever find out what Portman was setting out to prove with her research? Or what was she researching to begin with?
So does Thor deliver the goods? I would say yes, when it’s not taking itself too seriously. If nothing else, Thor is incredibly entertaining with some fantastic visual effects (the Bifrost Bridge is particularly impressive) and a great sense of adventure… And remember, stay for the post-credits sequence for a glimpse of things to come in the build up to The Avengers!
Will Pond.
