Forced unnecessary humor?

[X-Nemesis]

Anybody have any insight as to whether Thor is a serious film or is filmed with Campy one liners and humor that has no place being in this film?

I find unnecessary humor to be one of the biggest problems in movies like this where for some reason the producer feels he needs to put that "funny" factor in just to cover that base.

I hope this movie is serious an only funny in parts that help build the film.

[Alientraveller]

It is. The humour naturally occurs out of the inevitable cultural clash between Asgardians and humans.

Besides, you're just sick if you find Thor getting tasered, injected with an anaesthetic and hit by a car funny. :)

[BH/HHH]

The humour was well done in my opinion

[X-Nemesis]

The God of Thunder get's tasered???

[BigThor]

Most of the reviews about Thor praised the humor in the film and the ones that thought it was forced were in the minority.

Yes, he gets tasered, but he was powerless and basically a mortal when it happens.

[Ponyboy]

The God of Thunder get's tasered???

Yup. But it works.

The humour really revolves around Thor's interaction with human beings, as he's used to being very powerful, and has been stripped of that by Odin before being sent to earth.

[Mace Dolex]

So it'll be tasteful humor and not funny HA HA like seeing Thor trying to blend in with mere mortals such as learning how to drive a car?

I'm reminded of the scene in Twins with Arnold learning how to drive and saying "I've only been driving an hour"

[kedrell]

But Twins was a comedy. That's all it was trying to be. Apples & Oranges.

[Silvermoth]

I didn't mind the humour (although I thought the film in general was a bit weak)

The fact that Jane kept running over Thor with her car was a good example. It got some laughs and was well done. My audience that I went to see it with enjoyed that. Also the Donald Blake mention was very clever.

Volstagg also made me happy. He deserved more time, at least to eat.

Wasn't too fond of the Thor having a drink in a pub with Dr Selvig bit though but oh well.

[Mace Dolex]

From what I'm reading looks like some have seen the film already, does the studio take into account domestic grosses or foreign to see if Thor will be a hit?

[Gamma Burst]

The God of Thunder get's tasered???

Yes, while mortal and powerless

[Gamma Burst]

Btw, the humour was really natural, imo.

[BrollySupersj]

I found the humor from the clips to be excellent.

[shigsy2003]

The humour was brilliant. It managed to make me laugh out loud which is a feat in and of itself.

I didn't find any of it forced....like say the Spidey films (shivers). Hemsworth pulled it all off fantastically well as well.

[Ryo Jin]

From what I'm reading looks like some have seen the film already, does the studio take into account domestic grosses or foreign to see if Thor will be a hit?

We had an advance screening at my Air Force base theater, and I was fortunate enough to get limited free tickets the base BK was handing out a couple weeks ago :awesome:

[Gamma Burst]

The humour was brilliant. It managed to make me laugh out loud which is a feat in and of itself.

I didn't find any of it forced....like say the Spidey films (shivers). Hemsworth pulled it all off fantastically well as well.

True;, I particularly liked the smile Chris makes in the 'this goes to facebook'' scene.:yay:

[TheVileOne]

The humor was fine. I think it could've used a little more. The humor reminded me of Star Trek 4 honestly. I wanted a little more of Thor being goofy and confused on earth. Like reacting to technology. Sort of like in the Avengers cartoon when he talks to Cap about the room having a voice.

Thor slamming down the coffee like he's some sort of Conan barbarian and asking for another drink was great. I wanted more of that.

[Bren]

I was a bit worried about the humour (based from what I saw from the trailers), but I thought most of it was good. But the film itself is pretty serious in tone. Not dark (thank heavens!), just reasonably serious.

The humor was fine. I think it could've used a little more. The humor reminded me of Star Trek 4 honestly. I wanted a little more of Thor being goofy and confused on earth. Like reacting to technology. Sort of like in the Avengers cartoon when he talks to Cap about the room having a voice.

That was brilliantly done. Also when he talks to Jarvis, "What troubles you, Ethereal voice" or something like that - well handled.

Just plain love that show.

[jmc]

I wouldn't say forced or unnecessary, it worked well within the story. My only issue with it is that there were probably a few too many moments done purely for laughs in the second act, that said, the humour in act two is actually the glue that manages to hold the film together at that point. The 'fish out of water' elements overcome the short comings of the story in that section of the film, without the humour I think the story would have fallen completely flat and lost a lot of people, conversely, any more humour would have tipped the scales the opposite direction turning the film into a joke. I'd almost say you couldn't have had that section of the film done without some humour, it was a delicate balancing act that could easily have gone one way or the other, overall it works well.

[Assassin]

The thing i hated most was Kat Dennings from the trailers. she made me not want to see the film. since i got free passes, i went this morning and it was a great movie. you hardly notice her thank god.

[TheVileOne]

I say in my review that Kat Dennings stops just short of being "JUST FRAG HER ALREADY" territory.

[Iceman]

I was worried about her jokes from the trailer but in film I thought she was completely fine. Most of the reviews also seem to comment on the humour being good & necessary given the material of the film and I would agree. Just glad it wasn't overdone.

[TheVileOne]

No it wasn't overdone thankfully. Though it was close ;) . It helps that Dennings is really cute.

[Bren]

No fan of Dennings, but her
Meirmier, who's Miermier? was pretty funny :)

[Still A ThorFan]

Anybody have any insight as to whether Thor is a serious film or is filmed with Campy one liners and humor that has no place being in this film?

I find unnecessary humor to be one of the biggest problems in movies like this where for some reason the producer feels he needs to put that "funny" factor in just to cover that base.

I hope this movie is serious an only funny in parts that help build the film.

To me that was the problem with Iron Man 2.

[kedrell]

I say in my review that Kat Dennings stops just short of being "JUST FRAG HER ALREADY" territory.

The trouble is that territory varies depending on the person you ask. But I expect I'll enjoy the humor. I'm pretty easy going on that stuff, provided it makes me laugh. I can often forgive humor that even kind of derails the film a bit as long as it's funny. What I can't take are attempts at humor that fall flat and/or make you do this :whatever:[......cough....all of Raimi's Spider-Man movies...cough].

[shigsy2003]

The trouble is that territory varies depending on the person you ask. But I expect I'll enjoy the humor. I'm pretty easy going on that stuff, provided it makes me laugh. I can often forgive humor that even kind of derails the film a bit as long as it's funny. What I can't take are attempts at humor that fall flat and/or make you do this :whatever:[......cough....all of Raimi's Spider-Man movies...cough].

I agree,as much as I love the Spider-Man films they were disappointingly unfunny. J.K.Simmons was the only one with any comedic ability.

Dennings is far from annoying in Thor and the majority of the humour comes from Hemsworth himself and in two cases Jane's car, the second of which had me and my cinema in stitches.

[kedrell]

Yeah, if it wasn't for JK Simmons there wouldn't be ANY effective humor in those films.

[El Payaso]

The God of Thunder get's tasered???

That's just a sample.

There's all kind of crappy unnecessary bad jokes, situations and campy comedy all over the Earth scenes. But then again, most superhero movies are forced to have this kind of crap. A movie killer IMO.

Take the terrible jokes out and you immediately have a better movie. And also the feeling that Portman's character does little in the movie.



No fan of Dennings, but her
Meirmier, who's Miermier? was pretty funny :)

Oh yes, and if Portman's character was barely useful as a love interest, her feriend did nothing but those crappy jokes throuighout the whole movie.

I mean, not knowing how to pronounce a word??? That's funny? Really?

[kedrell]

Hell, I laughed at the tasered scene just from the trailer & clip. I imagine seeing it in full context will only improve upon it.

[Nathan]

The humor was fine, although I would have prefered a tiny bit more of drama and seriousness in certain parts. Like the Hospital. I had hoped he would be treated like a lunatic for a short time. But his short freak out quickly turned into a comedic moment.

And one of my favorite parts.

"I need a horse!" :funny:

[El Payaso]

Hell, I laughed at the tasered scene just from the trailer & clip. I imagine seeing it in full context will only improve upon it.

Well, context changes nothing. And it certainly does nothing for the movie. You cut that part out and the movie keeps being the same. No, scratch that, becomes better.

[kedrell]

I don't see how, but I'll find out in 4 days.

[El Payaso]

I don't see how, but I'll find out in 4 days.

To give the main charcater dignity is always a good idea. If you're maiking a joke about him, let it be justified. In this case you'll find out that the tasering is just one of many similar(ly unfunny) jokes with Thor in them.

[Nathan]

Yeah, Thor turned into a joke a couple too many times simply because he turned mortal. Even if the jokes were funny, I would have prefered a slightly more serious tone. More into the direction of The Incredible Hulk, less like Ironman.

[Vartha]

Well, context changes nothing. And it certainly does nothing for the movie. You cut that part out and the movie keeps being the same. No, scratch that, becomes better.
I think it does. It shows he's as mortal as we are. The point of the movie is to show a fallen God, who has to be taught a lesson.

I just wish it were a longer film. If you stop and think about it, it took YEARS in the comics for Thor to learn humility, yet he earns Mjolnir back in a relatively short time. Not to mention being able to go back to Asgard right away. I would have been happier if Thor weren't allowed back to Asgard until AFTER the Avengers. Kind of like being tested by Odin before raising his banishment.

[Vartha]

Yeah, Thor turned into a joke a couple too many times simply because he turned mortal. Even if the jokes were funny, I would have prefered a slightly more serious tone. More into the direction of The Incredible Hulk, less like Ironman.
I absolutely LOVED the script and the Humor in it. I'll have to see it first to see how it's applied.
TOO serious of a movie to ME changes the Genre of the film. It is a COMIC book film.

[Nathan]

That's why I said The Incredible Hulk. Not Ang Lee's Hulk.

[Vartha]

True, I liked alot of what went on in Ang's Hulk, but the BIGGEST thing that annoyed me was those damned "comic panel" scene changes. I could deal with the HUGE size of Hulk but that was way too distracting.

[kedrell]

That's why I said The Incredible Hulk. Not Ang Lee's Hulk.

Even in TIH I found the humor to be too sparse. And half the time it was there it worked(Bruce saying the don't make me angry line in Portugese and flubbing it and Betty going apes***t at the crazy cab driver) and the other half I was just a wee bit annoyed(the stupid purple pants gag). The most humorously interesting person in the film was Sterns.

[Nathan]

I can enjoy a movie without many gags. I simply loved the interaction between Hiddleston and Hemsworth and practically any character moments. I would have greatly sacrificed some of the jokes for the truly good stuff.

[kedrell]

Why not have both? I don't subscribe to the philosophy that they are mutually exclusive.

[Nathan]

Because I personally enjoy dramatic character moments more, than having them end up as the butt of the joke one time too many.

[kedrell]

Well that's where balance comes in. And from what I've heard by most, this film has that.

But to me there's nothing more annoying than a film that takes itself more seriously that it deserves to be given the story/premise. That's just like nails on a chalk board to me[cough....TDK......cough].

[Vartha]

Well that's where balance comes in. And from what I've heard by most, this film has that.

But to me there's nothing more annoying than a film that takes itself more seriously that it deserves to be given the story/premise. That's just like nails on a chalk board to me[cough....TDK......cough].
heh then this thread would be called "Forced unnecessary HAMMER" :D

[El Payaso]

Yeah, Thor turned into a joke a couple too many times simply because he turned mortal. Even if the jokes were funny, I would have prefered a slightly more serious tone. More into the direction of The Incredible Hulk, less like Ironman.

Me too. With certain characters, abusing of comedy to explain things is very dangerous and out of place. Hulk, for example, is a very difficult one. Those jokes about stretchy pants... I mean... the character does better without them.


I think it does. It shows he's as mortal as we are. The point of the movie is to show a fallen God, who has to be taught a lesson.

Showing that is perfect. Thing is if cheap comedy is the best way to do it.

Now, tell me what you want but I think they did a better comedic attempt in the TV movie "The Incredible Hulk Returns." No need to tell me they needed a better story and a bigger budget. But the jokes around Thor trying to adapt to live on Earth were funny. And at some point you could see Thor's tender and kind-hearted nature through some of them. At some point he was dancing with some girls and having fun like a little kid. That scene did more than just trying to catch a couple of cheap laughs.

I just wish it were a longer film. If you stop and think about it, it took YEARS in the comics for Thor to learn humility, yet he earns Mjolnir back in a relatively short time. Not to mention being able to go back to Asgard right away. I would have been happier if Thor weren't allowed back to Asgard until AFTER the Avengers. Kind of like being tested by Odin before raising his banishment.

I agree. And please, the movie should try and explain how is that he fell in love with such an ephemeral character as Portman's.

[El Payaso]

Why not have both? I don't subscribe to the philosophy that they are mutually exclusive.

In superhero movies they are, all the time. The only time I've seen it fully work is when the whole thing is a comedy like in The Green Hornet.

[Ryo Jin]

The humor was fine, although I would have prefered a tiny bit more of drama and seriousness in certain parts. Like the Hospital. I had hoped he would be treated like a lunatic for a short time. But his short freak out quickly turned into a comedic moment.

And one of my favorite parts.

"I need a horse!" :funny:

My favorite comedic part! :funny:

[The Infernal]

Dennings is far from annoying in Thor and the majority of the humour comes from Hemsworth himself and in two cases Jane's car, the second of which had me and my cinema in stitches.

You and me both. Pretty much everyone in the cinema lol'd when she ran over him the second time and said "I swear to god I'm not doing this on purpose".

I didn't find the humour forced which is surprising since I had half expected it from seeing the trailers, but it's pretty good in the movie and it doesn't take up half the movie either. It was pretty serious when it needed to be.


And one of my favorite parts.

"I need a horse!" :funny:

Not the exact quote but....

"We don't have one of those. We sell dogs and birds."

"Then give me one of those big enough to ride."

[Bren]

I mean, not knowing how to pronounce a word??? That's funny? Really?

If I ask really nicely, will you allow me to still think it was funny?

[Iceman]

Yeah, Thor turned into a joke a couple too many times simply because he turned mortal. Even if the jokes were funny, I would have prefered a slightly more serious tone. More into the direction of The Incredible Hulk, less like Ironman.Tim Blake Nelson was the Kat Dennings of Hulk, the difference being that he had a serious and significant role to play & didn't seem to realise it.

[El Payaso]

If I ask really nicely, will you allow me to still think it was funny?

Lol, okay. It was more of a question for the writers.

[BigThor]

Sheesh El Payaso, you have a serious chip on his shoulder for Thor, was it reall THAT bad?

[El Payaso]

Sheesh El Payaso, you have a serious chip on his shoulder for Thor, was it reall THAT bad?

No. I mentioned that the action was superb and, other than Portman and the other girl, the acting is good,, specially Loki and Odin. Now, if we're talking about the jokes, that killed big part of the movie for me, because some of the most important themes of the movie passed through terrible jokes. But everything Asgard was quite good actually.

I find Thor better than Spiderman 3, IM2, TIH and the first Spiderman actually (which was partially ruined by this very kind of humour also).

[kedrell]

In superhero movies they are, all the time. The only time I've seen it fully work is when the whole thing is a comedy like in The Green Hornet.

It worked excellent in Iron Man 1 & 2 and Kick Ass. Green Hornet by comparison was a comedy take on the superhero genre rather than a superhero film that had some comedy in it.

[BigThor]

No. I mentioned that the action was superb and, other than Portman and the other girl, the acting is good,, specially Loki and Odin. Now, if we're talking about the jokes, that killed big part of the movie for me, because some of the most important themes of the movie passed through terrible jokes. But everything Asgard was quite good actually.

I find Thor better than Spiderman 3, IM2, TIH and the first Spiderman actually (which was partially ruined by this very kind of humour also).

Oh ok, that sounds understandable El Payaso, just checkin' :word:.

[El Payaso]

It worked excellent in Iron Man 1 & 2 and Kick Ass.

Yeah, but you need Robert Downey Jr for that. Or Michael Caine. Just few actors can make bad jokes work. The rest fails most of times. Portman and her friend in the movie did every single time.

Now Kick Ass the movie felt as much of a comedy as Green Hornet.

Green Hornet by comparison was a comedy take on the superhero genre rather than a superhero film that had some comedy in it.

I know. And I'm saying that's the only time I've seen it's actually worked.



Oh ok, that sounds understandable El Payaso, just checkin' :word:.

Ok.

[spidey-dude]

kick ass was a comedy....

[El Payaso]

Yes.

[UnionJack]

The humor works alot better than it looks like it goes in Green Lantern.

From the trailers I cringed at the jokes, but in the film they work really well.
Darcy calling Mjolnir meowmeow (or something like that) cracked me up, as its something we all dunno how to pronounce really.

When Thor goes into the pet shop asking for a horse and the shop keeper says he only has dogs and stuff is good
"Well get me the biggest one I can ride!"

I enjoyed the humor, sure serious is good but Iron Man pulls out the jokes aswell, can't all be dark and serious, a mix of light and dark for me please.

[El Payaso]

Iron Man can get away with it because of RDJ.

[Iceman]

The horse joke is pretty funny taken on it's own. Probably exactly what Thor would have done.

[UnionJack]

Iron Man can get away with it because of RDJ.

I think Thor can too, he is a man not of this world, so things he might say to him is normal but to us could be seen as funny or odd.

[Spoonman]

I think Thor can too, he is a man not of this world, so things he might say to him is normal but to us could be seen as funny or odd.


I agree with this. I liked the movie by the way, I was just expecting a bit more of the fight scenes from later on the movie, I liked the earlier action secuence better, but I had a great ride nonetheless; I also liked the mix of humor and seriouness, it reminded me of Iron Man 1 (note I am not saying is exactly like that, but it reminded me of it); and as big a fan I am of TDK I have no prob with comic book films interjecting humour inbetween, not overdone but in general I was content with the way Thor turned out.

[El Payaso]

I think Thor can too, he is a man not of this world, so things he might say to him is normal but to us could be seen as funny or odd.

But he's not Robert Downey Jr. You see, it's not as much about the character but about the actor and his talent.