It’s no secret that I am a major marvel comic fan. Everytime Hollywood announces a potential marvel comic inspired blockbuster I am excited, and “Thor” was no exception.
Kenneth Brannagh directs this comic fantasy with Hollywood royalty Anthony Hopkins playing “Odin”, Natalie Portman as “Jane” and Chris Hemsworth portraying the Norse God of Thunder. The narrative is based on Thor being banished to earth to learn humility among humans and to be worthy of the powers he is blessed with.

I went to watch it in 3D as I thought the effects would be phenomenal but from the opening scenes I already knew it would be no Avatar. The background of blue/ grey in the open battle along side the blue skins of the CGI enhanced frost giants, long shots of the camera and quick editing made it difficult to keep up and sloppy.

Hemsworth, I think put on a brilliant performance and was a delight to watch. He is more handsome than illustrated and has on screen charm that will easily see him climb the Hollywood success ladder, but most importantly I think he is a good actor.
Brannagh and Hopkins have worked together on numerous occasions and so it was no surprise to me when he asked him to play the wise and majestical Odin.
Portman playing the geeky but beautiful scientist was okay, but her character is borderline annoying and instantly forgettable. In fact the only major close up we got of Thor’s love interest was when they kissed!
I couldn’t stop laughing every time I saw Asgardian gatekeeper Heimdall (Idris Elba) in his metallic costume. His character was not convincing and I found myself comparing him to the Tin Man in the 1978 Motown version of The Wiz. I don’t think a black man playing a Norse God was the problem, I think he wasn’t right for the role and he almost looked uncomfortable acting it.
Tom Hiddleston does sly and manipulative with no force whilst playing the role of trickster Loki and was the only character that I believe truly looked like his comic counterpart.

I wish we could have have seen more of Thor and his beloved hammer do some more damage as we only saw the pair go to work at the beginning and the end. Spider man and Batman we see the protagonists in all their glory showing off their powers. There was too much idiotic plots in the middle that side tracked from this.
The colours in the final battle were beautiful and the rainbow bridge that links the 9 worlds together made me nostalgic. It reminded me of how much I love fantasy and sci films and when I used to read Thor as a child. The juxtaposition between the celestial Asgardian realm and the mundane deserts of New Mexico were well positioned.
Though I somewhat regret watching it in 3D, I did enjoy the film and recommend any marvel comic fan to go along and see it too. I can’t help but think Kenneth Brannagh should stick to Shakespeare and leave such films to the bad boy directors of Hollywood!