Thor (2011)
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Critics Consensus: A dazzling blockbuster that tempers its sweeping scope with wit, humor, and human drama, Thor is mighty Marvel entertainment.
Critics Consensus: A dazzling blockbuster that tempers its sweeping scope with wit, humor, and human drama, Thor is mighty Marvel entertainment.
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Movie Info
The epic adventure Thor spans the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the mystical realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. As a result, Thor is banished to Earth where he is forced to live among humans. When the most dangerous villain of his world sends its darkest forces to invade Earth, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero.-- (C) Paramount Pictures
- Rating:
- PG-13 (for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence)
- Genre:
- Drama , Action & Adventure , Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Directed By:
- Kenneth Branagh
- Written By:
- Zack Stentz , Ashley Edward Miller , Mark Protosevich , Don Payne
- In Theaters:
- May 6, 2011 Wide
- On DVD:
- Sep 13, 2011
- US Box Office:
- $181.0M
- Runtime:
Cast
as Thor
as Jane Foster
as Odin
as Loki
as Professor Andrews
as Darcy
as Agent Coulson
as Laufey
as Heimdall
as Volstagg
as Hogun
as Fandral
as Sif
as Frigga
as Isabela Alvarez
as Agent Sitwell
as Frost Giant Captain
as Frost Giant Sentry
as Frost Giant Hallstru...
as Frost Giant Brute
as Frost Giant Brute
as Frost Giant Grundrot...
as Frost Giant Raze
as Einherjar Guard
as Einherjar Guard
as Agent Delancey
as Techie
as Agent Jackson
as Agent Garrett
as Agent Cale
as Sheild Guard
as Townie
as Townie
as Townie
as Pete
as Young Thor
as Stan the Man
as Drunk Townie
as Pet Store Clerk
as Admission Nurse
as Orderly
as Viking Mother
as Viking Child
as Viking
as Viking
as Viking
as Viking
as Young Loki
as Viking Elder
Related News & Features
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– Rotten Tomatoes -
Screenwriter Don Payne Dies at 48
– Movies.com
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LoginCritic Reviews for Thor
All Critics (263) | Top Critics (46) | Fresh (202) | Rotten (61) | DVD (10)
Strikes a mighty blow to the summer blockbuster season and will charge up audiences just like the first 'Iron Man.'
Drab, bloated and stuck together with special effects that look like high-end Microsoft screensavers.
Thor is terrific fun! It's aware of its own silliness but made with complete integrity and heart. The film is also beautifully designed and very well performed. A great summer blockbuster!
Tempering its sweeping scope with wit, humor, and just a little dose of dramatics, Thor is a super-charged fantasy epic that can stand alone in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Let's hope Branagh was well-compensated, at least. To quote his favorite author: No profit grows where is no pleasure taken.
Thor is on much safer ground here on Earth. The tone is immediately different: more relaxed; comic, not cosmic.
Hemsworth gives the Thunder God all the spark he needs.
Winking, self-mocking, fun...
Branagh and co have taken one of the least relatable superheroes and turned his story ... into a hugely enjoyable, funny and visually spectacular film
"Thor" reminded me a lot of the "Iron Man" films. They are not particularly great, but they are highly entertaining with their explosive action sequences and fascinating characters.
It does nothing to stand out from the other comic book adaptations of the past few years, but it's an adequate and enjoyable slice of hokum.
... A solid introduction to the character, and the idea of encountering him again isn't a bad one.
... not to say that Thor is awful, simply uninspired, full of sound and fury and not much else.
...although it looks good, it feels fragmented, the action never coming fully to life and the central character rather colorless.
Arthurian grandeur, fanboy-pleasing whallop and special-effect razzle-dazzle flesh out the backstory of how the hunky hammerer got from Up There to Down Here.
What's left is the movie's middle 60% or so, which is a fun ride, though I could have done without the 3-D.
Branagh's chosen style (and that's a generous term to use here) pretty much consists of tilting the camera about forty degrees every fifth or sixth shot.
It may not be strongest film to have made the transition from comic book to screen but it does whet the appetite for more from the hammer-wielding thoroughbred and his jealous sibling.
The problem with the current crop of superhero movies is that once you've exhausted the A-list, you begin reaching for the second string personalities who do not have the same sort of populist street cred.
Director Kenneth Branagh, for all the Shakespearean fruitiness he imbues into some of his A-list performers, never forgets that Thor is ultimately an FX-driven film designed to sell popcorn.
Audience Reviews for Thor
Easily one of the best looking Marvel movies so far. I was never a big Thor fan in the comics but this movie had me locked in. Overall i think this movie shines thanks to Hemsworh, Hiddleston the supportin cast. It takes its place among the top super hero films Marvel has done now that they are in control.
MoreSuper Reviewer
So we have the next big Marvel hero adaptation on the long highway to 'The Avengers' with 'Iron Man' so far being a surprise decent film, this time its Thor's turn to roll the dice. Again I am pleasantly surprised at how reasonably competent this film is, I thought this would be a hideous mess but actually its not too bad. I'm not gonna get carried away and say its a brilliant film as it isn't, in my opinion 'Iron Man' is better but this is OK despite the silly material. Branagh has done well in his attempt and done half the work in the casting, all players add good realism and gravitas to the cheesy plot allowing the film to just about get by. Hopkins, Hemsworth and Hiddleston are the best contributors of course and were great choices for the roles, they looked right and didn't come across camp in any way.
The effects are decent and not too obvious, a very colourful and vivid film and some good stand out moments like the Rancor type creature on Jotunheim showcasing decent CGI. The Frost Giants looked reasonable but slightly childish for me whilst the giant metallic Destroyer looked rather B-movie-ish and tacky to be honest, a bit like Gort from 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' (1951). Asgard was impressive and colourful looking neat n sharp harking back to cityscape's of the new Star Wars trilogy and just as good.
I'm not up on the whole Thor comicbook plot to be honest but I admit I still found faults with things in the film, obviously Thor and his homeworld are aliens, an alien race (which are exactly the same as humans? hmm) but also somehow manage to have horses ale roast beef pork etc...in their realm too? kinda silly methinks, oh and everyone speaks English it seems.
There is nice humour throughout which is good, Thor getting accustomed to earth has good moments, but The Warriors Three felt way too farcical and lame frankly, they just came across as inept posh talking sidekicks much like C3PO from 'Star Wars', they also looked like characters from a kids cartoon which let down the rest of the quite good costumes.
You never find out about the other realms, there is no real reason for why Odin goes into a coma or sleep and the Frost Giants did seem kinda lame, uninspired and unoriginal (if they were made for the film?) with a silly name. Of course if you know the comicbook all this might be common knowledge but for myself it isn't.
Overall I liked this but lets face it it was pretty hokey really, a modern day Flash Gordon if we're being honest here, it wasn't camp but it was very very gentle and cartoony which I did suspect as Thor is a hard character to put on film I think. Its a valiant attempt but I just think it could of been better or a bit more serious and less like an action figure promotion.
Super Reviewer
Superhero movies are aplenty and mythology films are well-known, "Thor" a combination of both genres directed by respected actor/director Kenneth Branagh walks that fine line well but not greatly.
Thor is one of Marvel's most revered creations - a fallen God who is banished from his kingdom of Asgard to Earth by his father Odin due to his arrogance - and "Thor" the film does a valiant job in ensuring that they do not make any major mistakes. The problem with "Thor" lies in its scale: while the battles taking place in Thor's home realm are grand and epic, on Earth he eventually has to save a small town in ... New Mexico.
Thor is inspired by Norse mythology, known as the God of Thunder, his signature being a powerful Hammer of which he is stripped of until he learns humility (very Excalibur-like down to the Hammer being stuck in a stone) - scale and grandness is implied just with his backstory, so the film is a bit of a snooze the moment he lands on Earth.
It doesn't help that the Earthlings are pretty bland, Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgård and Kat Dennings can't do much with the generic material they are given and the whole Government-conspiracy storyline is a bit tired. The film also has to squeeze "Avenger" references into its story with presence of S.H.I.E.L.D. and a glimpse of Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) - so while the film works hard, it doesn't move much.
As for Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston who play central characters Thor and Loki respectively. Let's say that while Hemsworth has got the look and plays blustering blowhard really well, his line delivery and blank eyes are flat. Hiddleston, on the other hand, plays tormented Loki brilliantly. It's no surprise he'll get to reprise his performance as the central villain in "Avengers". Hiddleston doesn't take Loki over the top instead really showing the pain and torment behind his eyes.
While "Thor" doesn't soar, it does have moments in which it scores - making it a solid but forgettable entry into the comic book pantheon.
Super Reviewer
I was very hesitant to watch this film. I held off on watching it until two days before the release of the sequel, but i'm glad I finally watched it. It is a great movie with an awesome story, but those looking for boatloads of action, you won't find too much in this movie. That is the only thing I didn't like about this film....could've used some more action! None the less, it was an awesome lead up for The Avengers and for The Dark World.
MoreSuper Reviewer
Thor Quotes
- Loki:
- Now if you'll excuse me, I have to destroy Jotunheim.
- Odin:
- Yes, I was a fool... to think that you were ready. Thor, Odinson, you have betrayed the express command of your king. Through your arrogance and stupidity you have opened these realms to the horror and desolation of war. You are unworthy of these realms, you are unworthy of these titles, you are unworthy... of the loved ones you have betrayed. I take from you your power, by my father, and his father before. I, Odin Allfather, cast you out!
- Laufey:
- You know not what your actions would unleash. I do. Go now, while I still allow it.
- Heimdall:
- You would defy Loki, our king, break every oath you have sworn as Asgardian warriors and commit treason by bringing Thor back?
- Sif:
- Yes.
- Heimdall:
- Good!
- Volstagg:
- Then you'll help us?
- Heimdall:
- [walks away] I am bound by my oath. I cannot open the Bifrost to you.
- Fandral:
- Complicated fellow, isn't he?
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