I went to see Thor last night in IMAX 3D, but it was oversold so I got downgraded to normal 3D. I was supremely excited over the Thor movie since I saw the hint at the end of Iron Man. I read and reread all my Thor comics, and even listened into the Mighty Thorcast (a great podcast for Thor fans) in anticipation. Thor did not disappoint. The first hour or so were excellent, especially the recounting of Asgard and it’s war with the Jotuns (they are punctilious about the correct pronunciation) The lavishly detailed costumes, sets, and backgrounds make Thor a feast for the eyes! Thor brings a return to it’s science fiction roots, while maintaining the more fantasy aspects of modern Thor comics. The story paints them more as a supreme alien race, rather than Norse gods. It shies away from the mantle of godhood so prominently worn by the comic book hero. The heroes rely more on obscure technology in the workings of Asgard, as opposed to obvious magic. (though they display unexplained abilities of perception) My only gripe is the obvious tacking on of the love interest in Jane Foster. Not integral to the plot, it is pinned on over the already fully-workable motivations established within the story, trying to inject romance, and even the hint of a triangle, to up the pathos. The obviousness of it detracts from anything it would lend to the plot. After all, how many people really fell in LOVE (not infatuation) with a complete stranger in 2 days, one of which was spent in fear of them? But I digress… Thor did what Batman Begins did (for me at least) they told a comic book story in a movie, as opposed to making a comic book movie. There was no attempt to show 50 years of continuity, nor to tell simply the most recent story. What both films did was to tell the essence of the source material in the most compelling way possible, AS a film, and not ADAPTED to a film. They used a great deal of cool ingenuity and creativity to represent both the past and the future of Thor and make both work.
Plus Hawkeye made a cameo!
Biggest downside, no thee’s and thou’s or aye’s, and not once does Thor utter his catchphrase: “I SAY THEE NAY!”
Luby’s Review
8.5 out of 10.
Luby's Review 