The Casting
I don't know if it's a testament to Branagh's skills casting people or directing them, but the actors drove this movie. Chris Hemsworth makes a breakout performance as the God of Thunder, and brings a sense of life and depth to the character. He's funny, charming, and can bring all the emotion the part demands. And damn, when he's in that armor, he's huge. Physical presence is an important part of the role, and he brings it. Tom Hiddleston as Loki is another stand out, bringing the restless intelligence and passion you'd expect from the character. There were times he honestly surprised me with his ability to lie, and is quite possibly the most sympathetic villain we've seen in a comic book movie yet. This is a character who feels betrayed, and then somehow still demands approval from his family. Loki clearly wants to be the hero, and so many of his claims about his brother and Asgard ring perfectly true.
For the rest of Asgard, I have nothing but good things to say. The Warriors Three were all awesome, and it makes me sad they couldn't get more screen time. They shouldn't have gotten it, since the movie is about Thor of course, but that doesn't change how cool they are. Joshua Dallas especially impressed me, since he was a complete unknown who came in at the last second. He handled his limited screen time with the confidence and flair I would expect from Fandrall. Ray Stevenson has the jolly demeanor necessary for Volstagg, and I just wished they let him ham it up a bit more. Jamie Alexander works well as Sif, walking that wonderful line between being lady-like and a true warrior. And yet I'm going to give Idris Elba the most praise for his performance. Heimdall is typically a somewhat stern, slightly boring character. He's stoic, and that's a quality that isn't always translated well into comics. But Elba gave such a focused, intense performance that had such an otherworldy quality to it. Truly, this is how a God of Asgard would behave.
For the earth cast, I was pleased. Kat Dennings was hilarious, and every one of her lines was pure gold. Natalie Portman didn't have the deepest character and could have used more screen time, but she's so cute and adorable and I bought into it anyway. Stellan Skarsgard was a bit inconsistent, offering some great lines and moments while sometimes looking a bit confused as to what to do. We'll be seeing more of him in the future, but more on that later.
The Tone
One thing needs to be said: Thor is funny as shit. I don't think there was a single joke in the movie that I didn't find. The movie in many ways does take itself very seriously. The audience is going to listen to the political intrigues of Asgardian gods, and they're going to buy into it. But at the same time, it's going to have fun when it wants to. It's not afraid to just have fun and be enjoyable.
And that's something that makes me a bit sad. This movie was highly entertaining, but that's it. A whiles back, I was hoping that Thor would have the right elements to possibly earn a best picture nod, and that's just not going to happen. The movie was missing the polish, the cohesiveness and the thoroughly dramatic tone it needed to elevate itself beyond a blockbuster. In some ways, Branagh and co. actively chose not to aim for that path, and I can't decide if they made the right decision. Yes, fantasy movies like the Lord of the Rings can be dramatically successful, but maybe they figured Thor was a bit too out there to exist on that level. Or maybe they just wanted to make a fun piece of adventure.
Design
One of the movie's great strengths. I for one love the costumes and design of everything, although if you hate what you've seen already you won't change your mind seeing it on screen. Asgard wonderfully captured, with the Rainbow Bridge perfectly re imagined. The frost world of Jotunheim is cool, although they could have gone a bit wilder with it. The Frost Giants make for great enemies, and watching Thor tear into them with Mjolnir was one of the best action sequences in recent memory.
Pacing
If there is a reason why Thor is getting some bad reviews here and there, it's this. The movie is paced so damn unevenly. Thor's origin is just so complex with so many moving pieces, it never has time to breathe. With Iron Man, scenes took as long as they need to develop, and that was the film's recipe for success. Things feel a touch rushed, and jump around slightly awkwardly from Asgard to Earth. Some parts of Thor's time of Earth, such as his raid into the SHIELD headquarters, felt like they weren't fully required for the story, and yet they were. Part of the challenge was that Asgard demanded equal attention while Thor was away, effectively creating two competing stories.
Rewatchability?
Interesting topic. I will be seeing it again, that's for sure, but unlike Iron Man or the The Dark Knight I don't feel and overwhelming need to go back in the theater or else I'll explode. This was an adventure, a thrill ride. I want to see more of Thor and Loki, but I want to see a sequel or the Avengers more than this movie again.
The Post Credits Scene
Talk about dropping a bomb on the audience. This is obviously the biggest spoiler, so take one last chance to go away.
All set? Good. Cosmic Cube.
Loki has control of Stellan Skarsgard's character, who is now brought in by SHIELD to unlock the mysteries of the artifact. So Loki effectively has the cube. And you wondered what the Avengers would have to fight. I still maintain that Loki won't be "the" villain, but now we know how he starts such chaos.
My only question is this: how will Thor be joining his earthbound comrades? After destroying the bifrost bridge, he's stuck home in Asgard. Does Loki bring him in, using this as an opportunity to destroy his brother? Natalie Portman won't be in the movie, so she can't locate him. Thor can't just come in at the end, and it would have made for much easier set up if Thor had stayed on Earth to protect it. But I'm more than certain Marvel has a plan, and that this was all set up for a reason. I just want to know what it is!
To wrap things up, Thor was a blast. I wish I could say it was more, but I can't. It brings us to new worlds and introduces some extraordinary character, but you're not going to walk away from it blown away like you might have in Iron Man or the Dark Knight.
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