THOR : archive from 14th May 2011.

The fourth film in the Marvel Universe hit our big screens this week with the arrival of 'THOR'. Contained within an all star cast and an accomplished Actor/Director at the helm, and with the backing of a solid comic book storyline and a solid Studio. I must admit I went into this not expecting much, but came out pleasantly surprised! With a budget of US$150M Ken Branagh has crafted a solid rendering of the Marvel Comic Book which subsequently went on to generate US$450M at the global Box Office and give us the sequel 'Thor : The Dark World' in late 2013 with 'Thor : Ragnarok' now due for a late 2017 release. 'Thor' has had a troubled history going back as far as 1991 when Sam Raimi developed a concept for a big screen adaptation. After kicking around in film development hell, it went to various studios and Matthew Vaughn over the successive years before landing at the feet of Kenneth Branagh . . . and the rest, as they say, is history!

With Australia's Chris Hemsworth as our Viking God like hero Thor, the story kicks off on a land far far away in Asgard where Odin (Sir Anthony Hopkins) is about to give his throne to his son, & heir Thor. But, the celebrations are interrupted by an attack from The Frost Giants who seek to retrieve the long held 'Casket of Ancient Winters' from the Asgardians and return it to their own realm. Thor goes in hot pursuit despite the wishes of Odin to Jotunheim to retrieve the casket and confront their ruler. Thor, his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and three others are outnumbered and outmatched by the mighty Frost Giants, until Odin arrives and brings things to heel.

Returning to Asgard, Odin is none too pleased and banishes Thor for his disobedience to the third rock from the sun, AKA Midgard AKA Earth, now stripped of his Godly powers to live as a mere mortal joined only by his hammer, Mjolnir, with which to protect and defend himself. Travelling through a wormhole he descends to Earth landing in New Mexico where he eventually teams up with travelling astrophysicist Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and her small entourage of Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) and Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard).

When Mjolnir is found by the locals protruding out of a crater in the nearby desert, S.H.I.E.L.D Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) is dispatched to investigate. When Thor locates his magical hammer (which only he can wield) he seeks to retrieve it but discovers he is unable to lift it, having seemingly lost his former powers. He is captured, manages to escape, resigns himself to life as an Earthling and settles down to a romance with Jane Foster.

Back on Asgard other forces are at work conspiring against Odin, and Thor back on Planet Earth. Loki has discovered that in fact he is not Thor's brother but is Odin's adopted son, and in fact his father is Laufey - King of the Frost Giants. In all his rage Loki offers Laufey a deal in exchange for his ascension to the throne of Asgard, while Odin has been sent into a deep sleep, and Thor is in exile in some other far away place. When a number of Odin's loyal followers get wind of this plan, they hatch their own plan to alert Thor but must travel through the 'Bifrost' - an intergalactic bridge that connects two worlds - that is guarded by the all-seeing all-hearing Heimdall (Idris Elba).

Loki though gets word of the plan and sends a giant killing robot like machine to dispense with Thor and those that have followed, and so back in sleepy Hicksville, New Mexico a battle royal breaks out between Thor, his returned mates from Asgard, and Loki's killing machine - mayhem and wanton destruction ensues, including Thor being taken out and subsequently knocking on death's door. At this though his powers return and he is able to wield the necessary forces over Mjolnir as his strength returns and thwart the robotic killing machine sent by Loki.

As Thor and his buddies return to Asgard through the Bifrost, Loki dispenses with Laufey and puts a spin on recent events to convince Odin that he is a worthy successor to the throne - especially now that Thor is out of the way . . . or so he thinks! As Thor & Loki clash back on Asgard, Odin eventually intervenes saving Thor, as Loki falls into an abyss caused by the destruction of the Bifrost which he had intended to use to destroy Jotunheim. Thor reconciles with Odin, but comes to terms with the fact that he is not yet ready for the throne, while back on Earth love interest Jane Foster, seeks a way to open up the portal to Asgard.

Also starring Renee Russo (as Odin's wife and Thor's mother Frigga) and uncredited cameo's by Samuel L. Jackson (as Nick Fury of course), Jeremy Renner (as Clint Barton AKA Hawkeye) and watch out for the obligatory appearance of Stan Lee. A solid first instalment for this superhero and future 'Avenger' and worth a look on DVD & BluRay now, if you missed it on the big screen.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-