Thor

With the release of the hotly-anticipated sequel, Thor: The Dark World, on the horizon, what better time to re-visit the first outing of the Asgardian Avenger: The Mighty God of Thunder, Thor (Hemsworth).

Thor is the son of Odin (Hopkins), the first in line to take over the throne of Asgard before his younger and bitterly jealous brother Loki (Hiddleston), the God of Mischief. Thor’s arrogance endangers his chances of the throne, particularly when he goes against his father’s orders and decides to wage battle against the Frost Giants of Jotunheim, who have been threatening an invasion of Asgard for many years. As punishment for his disobedience, Odin has his conceited son banished from Asgard, stripped of all his powers and sent down to Earth. Landing in New Mexico, Thor encounters a team of scientists, lead by the beautiful Jane Foster (Portman). Through them, he learns to become humble and gain humility. All the while however, the desirous Loki takes his brother’s absence as an opportunity to take the throne of Asgard and begins to hatch a devious plan with the realm of Jotunheim that could very well bring about the destruction of Asgard. Will Thor prove himself in time to save his home kingdom?

Director Kenneth Branagh’s thespian roots allow the more dramatic elements to shine through, with truly Shakespearian grandeur, as the actors relish in the ye olde English tongue. Hemsworth particularly has fun in his fish-out-of-water scenario once he finds himself on Earth, while Hiddleston thoroughly enjoys himself as the scheming villain of the piece. The most difficult Avenger to establish turned into one of the most fun of Marvel’s Phase One canon; it is action packed, spiritedly performed and visually dazzling. It is most certainly worthy of the power of Thor.

Andrew Gaudion

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Thor (Hemsworth), the God of Thunder, is about to become the king of his land, Asgard, another world far off in space. However, a surprise attack by Asgard’s long-time enemies, the Frost Giants, leads Thor to convince his friends to launch a counter attack, resulting in the reigniting of an ancient war. Odin (Hopkins), Thor’s father and the current king, in his anger strips Thor of his power, his hammer - Mjolnir - and casts him to Earth, forcing him to learn how to become worthy once more before he can return. But, with Thor’s absence, his treacherous brother, Loki (Hiddleston), enacts his own plans to become ruler of Asgard. Thor must regain his courage with the help of scientist Jane Foster (Portman) in order to stop Loki.

Thor is a great example of how to turn a comic book into a movie. The main cast all turn in great performances; Hemsworth and Hiddleston both feel perfect as Thor and Loki, brothers who are overall very different but who respect and understand each other. Hopkins commands from above as Odin, using his presence to dominate when he appears. Portman also shines as Jane Foster, a mortal having her view of the universe severely turned upside-down by Thor’s arrival. But it is Idris Elba as Heimdall who steals every scene he’s in, with a presence Hopkins would be proud of.

When Kenneth Branagh was first announced as director, many saw it as a strange move, owing to Branagh’s mostly Shakespearean background. He shows it to be a brilliant idea, however, infusing the film with elements of the Shakespearean style of the comic book in a way few other directors could have managed, creating something that feels both ancient, but futuristic.

Even non-comic books fan can like Thor. It’s well-acted, well-directed, and easily Marvels best movie since Iron Man. If anything, Thor proves any time is hammer time.

Thomas Freeman