Review: Thor

Did you know Thursday is Thor's Day?

Alas, it's the beginning of our Superhero filled summer. Thor was not the superflick that I was looking forward to the most (Captain America receives that honor). In fact, I was kind of skeptical about Thor. The story is a little out there; involving other planets (or realms). When I think about it, it's not all too different from Superman, but Superman is much more known and accepted than Thor. The previews left me wondering if they would be able to mix the realistic earth with the highly digitized realities of Asgard (Thor's planet). The truth is that, for the most part, a very believable universe is created by Director Kenneth Barnagh. The interesting backstory actually helps Thor feel fresher to the genre of superheroes.

Thor, heir to the thrown of Asgard,  is very much a cocky and bull-headed. He makes some rash decisions and ends up getting exiled to Earth with all the mere mortals. All the while, devious things are going on in Asgard and Thor needs to find a way to get back. Chris Hemsworth plays Thor, you may not have heard of this actor before. My belief is that you haven't because all he has been doing for the past 10 years is work out for this role. He's seriously ripped. I wouldn't mention this unless it wasn't amazing. He's believable and funny as Thor (especially when he first gets to Earth and is adjusting to the customs).  Natalie Portman plays a scientist who first runs into Thor and becomes his love interest. She doesn't do anything too amazing (don't expect a Black Swan performance), and any scene with just her and Thor are served with extra cheese. Too much cheese. Thor is well paced and the action scenes kick some major As-gard.

A problem with this movie is that it can be a little geeky, it helps itself with some self-aware humor, but you probably need to be a superhero fan to enjoy this film completely; lots of crazy outfits. The ending and villain's motive feel a muddled towards the end. Asgard can be hard to believe. I think if you see it in 3D, you will feel a little bit more engulfed in that reality and you will be more likely to accept it.

Thor's high points may be it's self aware humor when on Earth, but it works well as an entertaining superhero movie even when it reaches out to outer-space.

The line of succession falls to you. Asgard is yours..

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