THOR

US, 2011, 115 minutes, Colour.
Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgaard, Kat Dennings, Clark Gregg, Colm Feore, Idris Elba, Ray Stevenson, René Russo, Adriana Barraza.
Directed by Kenneth Branagh.

Thor? Marvel Comics? Kenneth Branagh? Shakespeare it ain’t. But, it’s a reasonably enjoyable, quite expensive, matinee show in 3D.

A bit puzzling at the beginning if we are not familiar with the comic. We find ourselves both in the Viking times and in the modern era – we are told later, and shown, that there is a rainbow bridge between the two worlds (and many references to Einstein).

In the present world, we meet Jane (Natalie Portman), her co-scientist, Erik (Stellan Skarsgaard who, fortunately, comes from Scandinavia and is able to quickly fill in some Norse mythology background) and assistant, (Kat Dennings). They are investigating strange phenomena in the heavens in New Mexico (and speaking of alien visits, where else!).

Back in the mythological days, we see a huge battle and lots of close-up hand-to-hand combat as King Odin (Anthony Hopkins in full rhetorical style) is battling the evil frost-giants. He has two sons, Thor and Loki. They grow up as peace is restored and Thor (Melbourne’s Chris Hemsworth) is to become king. Loki (Tom Hiddleston) assures all that he is loyal (of course not). When Thor presumptuously leads an expedition against the frost-giants against his father’s wishes, he is banished – and, like Crocodile Dundee in New York – he turns up, puzzled by modern life, in New Mexico in the middle of a huge storm.

So, we have two plots for the price of one.

In the present, Thor, with some Viking gravitas and a fine, articulate baritone voice, is a mixture of courtesy, puzzlement, and enterprise, who can adapt to 21st century American idiom pretty quickly but who wants his emblem of strength, his hammer, back. A bit difficult because, the men in black (not so agreeable as Smith and Jones in this version) have confiscated all Jane’s equipment and papers and have sealed off Thor’s landing site. And Loki turns up in suit and tie to mock Thor and lie about their father’s illness.

Then we are informed, which is quite an interesting explanation, that Odin, Thor and Loki were real characters (from distant and cultivated planets) whom the Vikings took to be gods.

In the galaxies, Loki is up to mischief with the frost-giants. Odin is in coma. Thor’s warrior friends are finding loyalty to Loki impossible as he is now a despotic king, offending his mother (Rene Russo). So, the warriors cross the bridge and take on the Men in Black.

Don’t forget the romance as Jane falls for Thor.

The film may not have the oomph of some of the other Marvel Comics films, but it is exotic enough to be rather fascinating in a mythical kind of way, and amusing to watch as Thor becomes an earthling. There is a lot of action as Thor defies the American authorities.

It looks as though Kenneth Branagh was taking a sabbatical from Shakespeare and more serious ventures and enjoying the opportunity to direct a mega-budget American enterprise. He has a very accomplished cast. And Chris Hemsworth (take a bit of Brad Pitt, a little Heath Ledger and some Russell Crowe and stir) is a strong screen presence with a bigger career ahead of him. In fact, if you wait after the end credits there is a minute or so more with Samuel L. Jackson and Stellan Skarsgaard indicating that there is more Thor and more Marvel Comics in The Avengers, already filming.

1. The popularity of superhero films? The universe of Marvel Comics? From comics to films? The place of Thor in this universe?

2. The planet of Asgard, the variety of planets, the Frost Giants? The special effects for the galaxies? Action for battle sequences? The contrast with Earth, New Mexico, ordinary, the scientists, the investigations? The musical score?

3. Chris Hemsworth as Thor, his appearance, voice, in action? The contrast with Loki, Tom Hiddleston, Black in clothes and heart? Anthony Hopkins as Odin, the patriarch? René Russo as his wife? Life in Asgard, in the Viking era, in the present? The bridge and portal between Asgard and earth? The guardian?

4. New Mexico, the town, the ordinary detail, the familiar American small town, shops, streets, hoardings? Cafes? The contrast with the landing site, the scientists, the accommodation? The agents for S.H.I.E.L.D? The confiscation of the scientific material?

5. Jane, scientist, her role with the group? The puzzle about the Wormhole? Erik, from Scandinavia, explaining the mythological background? His role in the work? Darcy, assistant, her relationship with the scientists?

6. The initial war, the Frost Giants? The Casket of Ancient Winters?

7. The present, Thor and his wanting to rule? Going to the confrontation with the Frost Giants? Thor and the confrontation with Laufey? Accompanied by Loki, with the three warriors? The personalities and style? Battles? Odin having to intervene? Thor and his arrogance? Sentenced to Earth? Without his hammer?

8. New Mexico, the scientist, the S.H.I.E.L.D agent, the wormhole, security and information? The work of the scientists? The hammer and the puzzle? Thor, wanting to get back, Erik’s help?

9. The romance with Jane, Thor adapting to contemporary clothes, American life, manners, language? The ordinary sequences, restaurants et cetera? Thor and his humour?

10. Loki, son of Laufey, Odin adopting him? The betrayal, Odin in the coma? The rebels, contact with Heimdall, the portal and the gate and bridge to Earth?

11. Loki, coming to Earth, as a 21st-century ordinary man? His behaviour, betrayal?

12. Loki, the Destroyer, the combat? Thor’s return, with the warrior friends? His willingness to self-sacrifice? Recovering his hammer and strength?

13. Loki and his killing his father, the setup, to rule in Asgard, to destroy, the breaking of the bridge, the abyss?

14. Thor battling Loki, Odin waking, intervening, saving Thor, Loki falling into the abyss?

15. On Earth, Jane wanting to open the portal? The post-credits sequence, SH.I.E.L.D, Erik, the box, collaboration with Nick Fury? Loki and his invisibility, urging Erik? The
audience ready for sequels?