'Thor' Movie Review

'Thor' Movie Review, Written by: Karen Benardello


Movie audiences seemed to have received a gift from the gods when Marvel Studios announced it was releasing its new superhero film ‘Thor’ in time to kick off summer 2011. With such respected Academy Award winning actors as Syosset's Natalie Portman, as well as Anthony Hopkins, leading the cast of a big-budget, special effects-filled movie based on a famous comic book character, the studio seemed destined to have a sure hit to start the competitive season. While director Kenneth Branagh delivered on the promised stunning visual effects, the story and character developments were unfortunately lacking on one of the summer’s most anticipated films.

The superhero film follows Ondin (played by Anthony Hopkins), the king of Asgard, as he describes to his two young sons, Thor and Loki, why he waged war against the Frost Giants of Jotunheim and their leader Laufey (portrayed by Colm Feore) in 965 AD. Ondin wanted to prevent the giants from conquering the Nine Realms, including Earth. The Asgardian king and his warriors defeated the giants, and as a result, took control over their power source, the Casket of Ancient Winters.

In the present day, the now adult Thor (played by Chris Hemsworth) becomes angry when the Frost Giants attempt to reclaim the Casket as he prepares to become the King of Asgard. With the help of Loki (portrayed by Tom HIddleston), their childhood friend Sif (played by Jaimie Alexander) and the Warriors Three, Volstagg (portrayed by Ray Stevenson), Fandral (played by Joshua Dallas) and Hogun (portrayed by Tadanobu Asano), Thor defies his father and travels to Jotunheim to fight Laufey. While Ondin is able to stop the battle, he becomes frustrated with his son’s arrogance, and exiles him to Earth without his powers.

Thor is sent to New Mexico, where he’s found by scientist Jane Foster (played by Natalie Portman), her assistant Darcy Lewis (portrayed by Kat Dennings) and her mentor Dr. Erik Selvig (played by Stellan Skarsgard). The espionage and law enforcement agency S.H.I.E.L.D., led by agent Phil Coulson (portrayed by Clark Gregg), begins looking into the crash site where Thor landed, as well as Jane’s research.


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