Movie Review: Thor

I’ve been delaying this movie review for as long as possible, because it’s been hard to process my feelings about the film. When I left the theater, I was convinced I didn’t like the movie. In retrospect, I think my complaints are a bit more specific than an overall dislike.

The movie opens with Odin waging war against the Frost Giants of Jotunheim to prevent them from conquering the nine realms, including Earth. The Asgardians seize their source of power and the Frost Giants attempt to retrieve it just before Thor (Odin’s son) is about to ascend to the throne. When Thor travels to Jotunheim to confront their leader, an all-out war erupts, and Odin is forced to intervene. Because Thor is unapologetic and arrogant about his actions, Odin exiles him to earth, in hopes that he’ll learn his lesson.

Before I continue, I’d like to confess that I ripped that entire plot off from Wikipedia, because I had absolutely no idea what was going on for the first twenty minutes of the film. That’s either because I have a pea-sized brain, or because I was not familiar with the story before entering the film, and it wasn’t properly executed for comic-book novices such as myself. Regardless, that opening scene was simply too long. The real fun of the film begins when Thor is banished to earth, and he becomes a fish out of water.

When Thor arrives on earth, he’s met by Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), a scientist doing research. Though I was pleased to see a love story amidst all the action, Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth have zero chemistry. On top of that, there’s not enough comedy or action to keep me entertained. Kat Dennings was great comedic relief, but she can only do so much. There should have been more scenes about Thor’s struggle to assimilate to a normal life. And Sure, the guy kicks some serious ass at certain points in the film, but the fight choreography could have been more impressive.

I also have a bone to pick with the costume designer. Why did Chris Hemsworth spend so much time lifting weight for just one shirtless scene? There’s even a fight scene where he’s wearing a long sleeve, flannel shirt. Seriously? — Could they not put him in a thin-fitting, muscle-bearing shirt? Perhaps I’m just a drooling teenager, but if I were calling the shots, I’d have him descend to earth naked, like Superman. Wouldn’t it have been more entertaining for Jane to have first met Thor while he was naked? The Asgard costumes were no better. They looked cheap, as if they were bought at Party City. I’m pretty sure Jaimie Alexander was wearing the same leggings I wear to clubs on Saturday night.

Aside from the above points, the movie was enjoyable, and I’d recommend it. With some editing and tweaks, I think the sequel will be better.

OVERALL RATING: SADISHFIED

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