Showing posts with label Anthony Hopkins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anthony Hopkins. Show all posts

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

3D Thor (2011); action adventure science fiction comedy drama film review

Poster artwork for the action adventure science fiction comedy drama film Thor.

Shakespearean Superhero by Linh

Marvel Studios found success with the Iron Man film franchise and have another hit with comic-book film adaptation of Thor, the God of Thunder.  The film bears some sophistication yet with a bit of silliness that sends-up the oddities of mythic hero with modern day human heroics.  Thor’s director/actor, Kenneth Branagh has a solid background in theatre and particularly in Shakespearean plays, so it’s no surprise he has cleverly included references to some of Shakespeare’s heroes in the film.

Thor is set between two worlds – the mythical world of Asgard/Frost Giants and contemporary Earth.  It tells the story of a young head-strong but hot-headed prince and God named Thor (Chris Hemsworth), who sets out to prove his worthiness of being King of Asgard by seeking revenge on his enemies the Frost Giants – a race of people who live in a cold and icy climate.  Crossing the rainbow bridge called Bifrost is the only way to travel from one “realm” to another, and Thor’s hasty actions violate the peace treaty between Asgard and the Frost Giants. His father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) strips Thor of his powers and his hammer named Mjolnir, then banishes him to Earth. Thor’s hammer is also cast down to Earth. As he tumbles towards Earth, Thor is accidentally hit by Jane Foster’s (Natalie Portman) car and his time on Earth teaches him how to be a worthy man without magical powers before he can be a true hero with superhuman powers.

THUNDEROUS THOR: Thor (Chris Hemsworth) shows he is worthy of being King of Asgard in the film Thor. Image: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.

The cast is a contemporary mix of British, American, Asian and Australian actors who do a fine job bringing humour to their characters and action to the film. Australian actor Chris Hemsworth (Red Dawn, The Avengers) reportedly won the role of Thor over his younger brother Liam (The Hunger Games, Arabian Nights) in auditions and he certainly makes Thor sound bold and brash with his Aussie accent and muscled-up physique. Hemsworth was convincing in portraying Thor’s conflicting nature of head versus heart to win his way back into Asgard and into the heart of a mortal woman, to become truly worthy of Mjolnir and be King.

SUPERHERO SUCCESSOR: Odin (Anthony Hopkins) prepares to hand over power to his son Thor (Chris Hemsworth) in the film Thor. Image: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.

Academy Award winner Natalie Portman (Black Swan, Knight of Cups) is the astrophysicist Jane Foster who is obsessed with a phenomenon that involves crossing from one galaxy/universe to another via a bridge in space. Jane’s many years of work is confirmed when Thor lands on Earth, and she shows him how patience and perseverance can achieve wonders.  Portman is excellent as the smart and attractive Jane, and she makes nerdy look sexy.

ASCERTAINING ASTROPHYSICS: Jane (Natalie Portman) is close to discovering astrophysical phenomena in the New Mexico desert in the film Thor. Image: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.

British thespian Tom Hiddleston (War Horse, The Avengers) is outstanding as Loki, the resentful and softly-spoken brother of Thor. Loki has a sad background and Odin had plans to raise Loki as a future King to keep the peace between Asgard and the frost Giants.  Loki rebels against his father and in a final confrontation with Thor, he turns to the dark side. Hiddleston gives Loki the perfect personality mix of steely coldness and vagueness in facial expression that raises questions about the intent of Loki’s actions and thoughts.

The supporting cast moves around the lead characters as helpers, supporters and enemies including Anthony Hopkins, wonderful as Odin, the ageing but diplomatic King of Asgard; raven-haired beauty Jaimie Alexander is tough and fearless as Lady Sif, who is Thor’s friend and warrior in Asgard; Colm Feore is exceptionally evil as King Laufey, the leader of the Frost Giants; Rene Russo has a small role as Queen Frigga, but is elegant and protective as Thor’s mother and faithful wife to Odin; Ray Stevenson is Asgard’s comic relief, warrior Volstagg, whose appetite is as big as his heart; Idris Elba is memorable as Heimdall, the gatekeeper of the Bifrost, and he sees and hears everything that goes on in all nine realms; Stellan Skarsgård seems under-used as Erik Selvig, Jane’s mentor and colleague, but he does appear more in the film The Avengers; Kat Dennings is feisty as the Earth-bound comic relief Darcy, who is the assistant to Jane and Erik.

RAGING RESENTMENT: Loki (Tom Hiddleston) seeks his powers from the source belonging to the Frost Giants in the film Thor. Image: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.

Thor has all the elements of a fun and exciting superhero action film but it has some minor flaws that mostly involve visuals. The numerous scenes that appear lopsided or on an angle may signify confusion or something terrible is about to occur. There are a few too many of such angled scenes and most of the film could do without it. The film is engaging enough to do without the 3D technology, such as in the action sequences and some of its CGI settings. The golden bronze colours of Asgard, its people and the buildings are meant to produce binary opposites with its arch-enemies the Frost Giants, but the CGI used to create Asgard seem dull and could be spruced up with majestic Elizabethan/Jacobean architecture seen during Shakespeare’s days. However, the Asgard architecture is reminiscent of the horns on Viking helmets and does seem strangely apt.

FEARLESS FIGHTER: Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander) show brawns and beauty during battle in the film Thor. Image: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.

Shakespearean references in the film are fun to spot for those inclined, and they include Thor walking into a pet store and demanding a horse (from the play Richard III) and his duel with Loki involving the “madness” dialogue (from Hamlet). Thor speaks, dresses and displays the customs and mannerisms of an Elizabethan King or Prince in Shakespeare’s plays which rub off on some of the modern day characters, who in turn bow or curtsy to him.

Thor is typically a favourite for comic book fans but is also a great basic introduction for newbies to Norse mythology and its heroes and villains. The film carries common themes of good versus evil and powerlessness and empowerment that most viewers will recognise.  It also follows the usual narratives in epic dramas such as a son attempting to usurp his father to be King, a protagonist discovering his courage to become a hero etc.
If you sit through the entire end credits, while enjoying The Foo Fighters’ song “Walk”, then you’ll be rewarded with a sneak peek at the film, The Avengers.

MYTH MAKERS: Jane (Natalie Portman) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) compare notes on science and magic in the film Thor. Image: Paramount Pictures, Marvel Studios.

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Writers: Zach Stenz  (screenplay), Don Payne (screenplay), Ashley Miller (screenplay), J. Michael Straczynski (story), Mark Protosevich (story), Stan Lee (comic book), Jack Kirby (comic book), Larry Lieber (comic book)

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddleston, Colm Feore, Stellan Skarsgård, Kat Dennings, Idris Elba, Clark Gregg, Jaimie Alexander, Ray Stevenson, Rene Russo, Tadanobu Asano, Josh Dallas, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson

Producers: Stan Lee, Kevin Feige, Patricia Whitcher, Mike Bodkin, Craig Kyle, Victoria Alonso, David Maisel, Debra James, Louis D'Esposito

Cinematographer: Haris Zambarloukos

Original Music Composer: Patrick Doyle

Film Editor: Paul Rubell

Production: Bo Welch (Production Designer), Maya Shimoguchi, Pierre Buffin, Luke Freeborn, A. Todd Holland, Kasra Farahani, Sean Haworth (Art Directors), Lauri Gaffin (Set Decorator)

Costume Designer: Alexandra Byrne

Running Time: 1 hour and 55 minutes