LogFAQs > #901512775

Thor

This was a bold step for Marvel to take a necessary one, but nonetheless, moving from sci fi to Nordic aliens ran the risk of weirding people out if they took it too seriously. Luckily, due to great casting and a good sense of levity, the film is mostly successful, with a few weaknesses.

Hands down the strongest part of this film was the cast. Being led by Hemsworth, Hiddleston, Portman, and Hopkins, it was kinda hard to whiff on that, and they all delivered in pretty magnificent fashion. Loki was the first Marvel villain Id seen (except Killmonger, but thats skipping ahead out of context quite a ways) that truly had captivating staying power and I was very glad to know he wasnt a one-off. He gives an absolutely deliciously hammy and evil performance, especially faking begging Thor for help and then stabbing him in the back. Got a gasp from me. The whole cast and the script itself also did a great job with the absurdity of inserting Thor into 21st century society with lots of good laugh lines (ANOTHER!).

Another thing about this film that I feel might go underappreciated was the cinematography. It was a beautifully shot film, and the repeated use of off-kilter angles when Loki was speaking gave a great sense of unease. Asgard was gorgeous, the costumes were excellent, and overall it was an extremely attractive film.

The weaknesses all stem from one big central issue, which is being overcrowded. As such, nothing really is QUITE as fleshed out as it shouldve been. I wouldve liked to care about the Frost Giant conflict and what the Casket was, but couldnt really. I truly wanted to love Thor and Jane together because they had great screen chemistry, but we didnt actually get much of them interacting and growing close. Most critically, I wouldve REALLY liked to buy Thor smashing the Bifrost to spare the Frost Giants, but I never got any really backing for why that made sense. If we got any sort of hint that they werent all 100% evil, then it would make more sense, but ultimately it felt like Jon Snow smashing some immensely valuable object to save the White Walkers from genocide. I didnt get it. His journey from warmonger to more mature leader was valuable, but the arrival point of sparing the Frost Giants didnt really work for me. All that said, she searches for you (paraphrased) was a great, heartwarming last line, and I hope we see Jane again so we can follow up on and develop that relationship.

Really fun movie, but suffered from having to do TOO much and as such not fleshing things out super well. Hurt it a bit, but still enjoyable.
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