THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH: a review of "Thor"

“THOR”
Story by J. Michael Straczynski and Mark Protosevich
Screenplay Written by Ashley Edward Miller & Zack Stentz and Don Payne
Based upon the Marvel Comics series created by Jack Kirby, Stan Lee and Larry Lieber
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
***1/2 (three and a half stars)

EXCELSIOR!!!!!!!

The Summer Movie Season of 2011 has officially begun and thankfully, with an enormously entertaining and exciting film that succeeds grandly. And not a moment too soon. Just at the point when I am growing even wearier at the thought of potentially sitting through one more costumed superhero movie and their origin story which predictably leads to the obligatory explosive climax showdown between good and evil, a new film comes along and happily makes me feel as if I am twelve years old again. “Thor,” Director Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of the Marvel Comics God of Thunder more than delivers the goods and makes for a fine addition to the recent live action films of the Marvel Universe. While it doesn’t scale the propulsive and brilliant heights of Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” (2008)-and frankly, what could?-that’s just fine with me as I had a blast of a good time!

Australian actor Chris Hemsworth stars as the arrogant, reckless and battle thirsty Norse God Thor, who resides in the mythical land of Asgard, under the benevolent ruling of his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins). Upon the day Thor is to be crowned the new King of Asgard and ultimate protector of the Nine Realms, much to the chagrin of his duplicitous and darkly magical brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Asgard is mysteriously infiltrated by a collective of Frost Giants, the Asgardians sworn enemies. After a brief skirmish, Thor, along with his warrior companions, defies Odin’s strict orders and defiantly crosses the Rainbow Bridge to enact retribution against the Frost Giants. Thor’s reckless actions infuriates Odin, who then relinquishes his son of his powers, his mighty hammer Mjollnir and exiles him to Earth to live among humans.

Crash landing in New Mexico, through what appears to be a major electrical storm, Thor is discovered by Astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and her team, which includes her mentor Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard) and her spunky Political Science major sidekick Darcy (Kat Dennings). The hammer, which can only be held by the one who has proven himself worthy, has also crashed into a crater, and is now under the most watchful eyes of S.H.E.I.L.D. Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg) and his secretive operation.

As Thor attempts to reclaim his hammer and defeat the mounting threats of the Frost Giants and Loki, he begins an inner odyssey to discover the meaning of nobility, humility and the true honor of a warrior. And of course, it would not be unfair for me to alert you, dear readers, that our Norse God also has a little romancing on his mind in the form of the tenacious Jane Foster.

“Thor” is a rousing, rock ‘em sock ‘em, briskly paced two hour and ten minute epic that never feels forced, rushed, overcooked or dumbed down. The theater walls will shake valiantly, yet this is no Michael Bay styled cinematic cataclysm ready made to pummel an audience into submission. On the contrary, “Thor” is decidedly old fashioned as it is almost exactly the kind of experience that made going to the movies in the summer so anticipated in years past. It’s exactly the kind you would gladly save your allowance money to stand in line and see more than once.

While Kenneth Branagh may not be the most obvious choice to helm a gigantic summer movie adventure, it turned out to be the best choice. Much like Robert Downey Jr.’s, once thought to be unlikely but now definitive performance as Tony Stark/Iron Man, I just felt so proud for Branagh as he obviously took to this directorial task like a kid receiving the most amazing toy chest. Certainly he could bring to the table his sense of Shakesperian heft to the sequences set in Asgard, with all of the King’s English banter and bravado. But, he was somehow able to bring it all down to Earth, as it were, with a surprisingly sharp sense of “fish out of water” humor, that was unforced and never overplayed or obvious—much like the terrific balancing act seen in “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” (1986).

Branagh’s sheer confidence with the CGI heavy material is also notable as he just seemed so unintimidated by all of the war sequences and celestial voyages. He understands that if you are going to take on the God Of Thunder, you just have to go big or go home. While one friend of mine actually compared the somewhat cheesy costumes and effects to the 1980 adaptation of “Flash Gordon,” I have to strongly disagree. I never saw that level of goofiness a detriment or one that surrendered “Thor” to an unfortunate level of campiness. The film is a rollicking, colorful wonderland and Kenneth Branagh understands that all this film needs to be is a comic book brought to life as best as possible. He also understand very well that his film has to fit tightly with the three recent Marvel Comics film adaptations of “Iron Man” (2008), “Iron Man 2” (2010) and “The Incredible Hulk” (2008) in preparation for Director Joss Whedon’s “The Avengers,” scheduled for 2013. Branagh handles all of these elements with skill, humor, heart and an incredible energy and I truly appreciated the clues, here and there, designed to link the films of the Marvel Universe together (watch for Jeremy Renner’s quick appearance as the sharp shooting archer Hawkeye).

“Thor” doesn’t need to possess the Peter Jackson styled sense of gritty realism of “The Lord Of The Rings” series to be successful. All “Thor” needs, and what most movies of this sort tend to forget in lieu of those snazzy special effects, is to just tell a good story, with good actors and performances, as best as possible and without letting the special effects overwhelm inappropriately. Branagh’s gleeful adaptation and his enthusiasm in the presentation is highly palpable as he is somehow able to seamlessly weave in themes that easily bring to mind Cain & Abel, King Arthur’s sword in the stone, Oedipal drama and even a taste of “The Wizard Of Oz” (1939) along with the bombastic fire and brimstone action of that swirling hammer with the boomerang swiftness.

Yes, "Thor" is also more than a bit silly and Branagh knows it. While there are many opportunities when “Thor” provides some knowing chuckles, it never sacrifices its story or characters to irony. All of the players, from humans, Asgardians and Frost Giants remain true to themselves and their respective situations. “Thor” is thankfully innocent, a rarity these days, especially when it comes to these sorts of films. Despite its PG-13 rating, I would say that it is almost a family film due to its lack of bloody violence and the profanities and sexual innuendos being kept to a minimum. In the very best fashion, and just as I felt when I walked out of Jon Favreau’s “Iron Man,” “Thor” is a throwback to a time when superhero films did not drown themselves in existential angst and bleakness. It takes an immense talent like Nolan to make a film like “The Dark Knight” work so tremendously but it takes equal talent to make something so pure of heart without becoming twee, watered down or toothless. Kenneth Branagh, his writers, his crew, his special effects team and his excellent cast brought the goods handsomely.

Chris Hemsworth wields the hammer and fills the red cape and armor wonderfully. While he more than supplies the brawn (and beefcake), he is not a brainless hero. Hemsworth not only shows that he has the ability to go toe-to-toe with Anthony Hopkins and believable when swinging that hammer or racing between worlds via that aforementioned Rainbow Bridge. He is sympathetic and quite charming. He has the deftness of a light comedian, making him convincing in the romantic comedy sections and even more impressively when he steps into the role of a romantic leading man or is forced to succumb to moments of regret, mournfulness, and self-sacrifice.
.
Natalie Portman shows that it is possible to go from Oscar winning wrenching psychological drama to lighter fare with sumptuous class as she is more than game with this material as she shows off her resolve and persistence combined with a gentle sexual friskiness. Hemsworth and Portman build a warm chemistry and teasing energy that builds nicely to its climax and effectively leaving the audience with that trademark Marvel Comics melancholic yearning in its wake.

Anthony Hopkins and Stellan Skarsgard provide the film with just the correct amount of gravitas while Tom Hiddleston brings an effortless malevolence as Loki. Jaimie Alexander, Ray Stevenson, Joshua Dallas and Tadanobu Asano all distinguish themselves nicely as Thor’s faithful comrades in arms. And what a pleasure it was to see Idris Elba (most recognizable from HBO’s “The Wire”) as Heimdall, the gatekeeper of the Rainbow Bridge and Rene Russo as Thor’s Mother Frigga (here’s hoping they are in on the action more in the inevitable sequel).

Ah, how this film took me back! Back to the days when the Marvel Comics universe felt as real as life itself and I spent my summer days basking in the glow of comic book heroes and villains. This film reminded me of the glory days of summer cinema when Richard Lester’s “Superman II” (1981) set the gold standard. “Thor” also showed exactly how a film like M. Night Shyamalan’s ambitious but hugely disappointing “The Last Airbender” (2010) went so wrong just by being so right.

Kenneth Branagh’s “Thor” is a film that is thankfully not jaded. It is not a cynical enterprise. It is a film that is pure of heart. It is a supremely earnest film that believes in itself wholeheartedly. It beautifully conjures the magic of a child’s fantasy and most impressively, the lingering suspicions and hopes that the Norse myths are real and the sound and fury of lightning and thunderstorms are indeed epic battles in the ongoing wars of the Gods.