OK, saw the movie on Friday and I am just now able to write my review of the film. After a couple of days to reflect, I still feel that this is a great Thor movie and a great comic book movie. I gave it a 9/10. Marvel has really hit their stride with Thor as it strikes just the right note between fun fantasy film and epic action-adventure with touches of comedy, romance, and drama. This could've easily come off as cheesy or silly, but Branagh wears the material confidently like a fine suit and struts around for all to see.
This is really a coming out party, not only for Hemsworth but for Hiddleston as well. Both are little known foreign actors but their performances in Thor easily raise their status in Hollywood. Hemsworth certainly looks the part, but the question was whether or not he would have the gravitas to carry this film. He answers with a resounding "YES!" He really bring the brash arrogance to Thor but he does so in a way that is still likeable. He revels in being a warrior and he yearns to prove himself worthy of being king but he never comes off as self-centered. He competently displays courage, respect, and chivalry.
As good as Hemsworth is, Hiddleston steals the show. What I love about his character and how he played him is that even though we know that Loki is the antagonist, he was able to manipulate my feelings as a viewer into believing he was on Thor's side for a good bit of the movie. Loki is extremely cunning and has the ability to use words to manipulate other characters, Hiddleston did this flawlessley. In addition, Hiddleston brought a seething rage to the character that was on full display in his scene with Odin, probably my favorite of the movie. There is bitterness and resentment there that has been festering under the surface for a very long time.
The romance, for all the talk of it being rushed, felt very natural to me. I can see where the opinion is coming from since it seems to develop in a matter of a couple of days, but while watching the movie it was never a distraction. It worked for me and that is probably due to the chemistry between Hemsworth and Portman. I may have felt different with a different character but I think Thor lends himself easily to this type of quick attraction as he is in very good condition, but more than that he is curteous and chivalrous towards Jane Foster. She is already fascinated by the questions surrounding his appearance and his qualities quickly spark her feeling for him and vice versa.
I thought the action was great, very well done. My only quibble was that I felt the Destroyer scene could've used a little more time and probably a little more resistance by the Warriors Three. They didn't seem to have a very good showing at all in this scene, with Fandral and Hogun really doing nothing. Other than that, the action was well-paced and Thor's power was depicted very well. Thor's re-emergence in New Mexico during the Destroyer battle gave me goose bumps.
As for the larger MCU and the way it was handled in this movie, seamless. Thor definitely feels part of this universe and SHIELD's inclusion was done very well and felt like it was a necessary part of the story. I just think that Marvel Studios is feeling very comfortable telling the stories they want to tell. They are having fun bringing these characters to life and not worrying too much about some of the more outlandish aspects of them. Marvel seems perfectly content to let the audience accept the characters for who they are and we are being greatly rewarded for it. I hope I will be able to see it again soon, as it is just such a fun ride to be on.
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