Thor User Reviews

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I have to say that in comparisons to such incredible movies such as Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, this movie was a bit of a letdown. The Achilles’ Heel for Thor was the lack of a great storyline (OK, it’s not exactly the same mythological pantheon but you get the impression).

The movie was a triumph for special effects and indeed a great many of the actors were some of the best and finest available. But there isn’t that much else.

Basically, the arrogant Thor is stripped of his power and hammer Mjolnir and sent to Earth to live among mortals and learn humility. But he doesn’t seem to spend much time among them, nor does he seem to learn all that much humility over the course of the movie. Unless somehow staring into the eyes of Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) magically converted him in a wise, self-effacing, and kind person. I didn’t get that. I get that he found himself instantly attracted to her, but not that he was able to make himself a better person, a better man for her in five minutes. I suppose to the filmmakers, the fact that he decided to sacrifice himself to save others was good enough; but I thought that he needed to do some more to prove himself worthy.

As far as the actors; Chris Hemsworth (Thor) was fairly decent as the Thunder God. He possessed a natural charisma and presence. I also wasn’t that displeased with Tom Hiddleston as Loki who was a surprisingly interesting villain who wasn’t completely one-dimensional.

But it was Anthony Hopkins (Odin) who truly amazed me. He didn't really appear all that much but his brief scenes were incredibly powerful as a stern, disapproving father figure who was one of the few Asgardians who really seemed like a God. Even the moment of weakness where he collapses into the Odin Sleep felt more like a father figure whose suffering from a broken heart after exiling one son and his other son is rejecting him. Frankly, Thor and Loki didn’t really seem like deities compared to Odin. Loki came off as jealous brat who was a manipulative backstabber while Thor who was like the popular football jock who's also Homecoming King and Big Man on Campus.

Natalie Portman (Jane Foster) on the other hand didn’t really excite me. She’s pretty enough, but her scenes didn’t move me nor did I feel the chemistry between her and Hemsworth to be that believable.

On the other hand, I have to say that I did find other parts of the movie to be able to stand on it’s own. The special effects were pretty good, particularly the final battle scenes between Thor vs. Loki.

I suppose as movies go, it was adequate chapter "filler" in between the beginning of the massive storyline that began in Iron Man 1 and finishes up in the Avengers. You have to watch it to get a much better understanding of the character of Loki for the final denouement in the Avengers where he is the central bad guy. Plus, you get the cameo appearance of Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye). Thor was basically the setup for Loki and his big fall from grace. Here’s he actually somewhat likeable and not as corrupt as he ultimately becomes.