Thor

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is a proud, headstrong warrior and heir to the throne of Asgard. When he angers his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) by breaking a centuries-old truce with the malevolent Frost Giants, he is stripped of his power and exiled to Earth where Asgardians are regarded as mythological figures. He is befriended by rogue astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and her colleagues, who believe him to hold the answers to all sorts of scientific mysteries. Meanwhile, in Thor’s absence, his scheming, manipulative brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) launches an ambitious plan to improve his standing in Odin’s eyes.

Even in the post-Dark Knight era, comic book adaptations are still not universally embraced. But Thor is no ordinary comic book adaptation. The character was a product of Norse mythology long before he hit Marvel’s pages. Further, the film’s director (Kenneth Branagh) is noted for his adaptations of Shakespeare. That and the A-list cast give Thor unprecedented (for its type) dramatic heft. And, sadly, it is on that level (dramatic craftsmanship rather than mere entertainment) that Thor disappoints most egregiously.

Aesthetics are the biggest offender. Asgard is presented as an awkward array of golden spires in the sky, and the inter-realm transport sequences across the Bifrost Bridge look like something out of Power Rangers. Granted, the source material doesn’t lend itself to ultra-realism, but there is no reason it need be so cartoonish.

Then there’s the script. Though it does tackle the worthwhile theme of maturity and sacrifice, it is peppered with melodrama and cheese sentimentality. Thor’s relationship with Foster, for instance, seems a little too conveniently manufactured to be believed. Come to think of it, the Foster character in general felt misplaced. For as talented as Portman is (and for as well as she can project genius-level smarts), she is still too damn young to convincingly portray an accomplished astrophysicist.

Ironically, in spite of its pedigree, it is as simple fun that Thor finds its footing. Whether he is smashing things with his hammer or dropping amusing fish-out-of-water quips (at one point, he walks into a pet store and demands a horse), Hemsworth fills the title role ably. Ray Stephenson as the gluttonous warrior Volstagg and Kat Dannings as Foster’s airhead assistant also up the fun factor. For comics fans, there’s even a brief cameo by Jeremy Renner as ace marksman (and future Avenger) Hawkeye.

On the whole, though, the cast is slumming it. Hopkins provides screen presence but little else as Odin, and Rene Russo has barely any screen time as his queen, Frigga. It’s not that Thor is a bad film – it entertains admirably, and it is a good introduction to the character – but in an age where X2, The Dark Knight, and Iron Man have raised the bar for what comic book adaptations can achieve, Thor feels far from mighty in comparison.

7.25/10