Avengers Week: Thor (2011)

The trailers for the first 3D Marvel production left me cold. I wasn’t excited by it at all, as a matter of fact I didn’t even go see it at the cinema. I know, shame on me.

I still stand by my choice to avoid Thor in 3D, but I couldn’t of been more wrong about the finished movie.

Director Kenneth Branagh is perhaps the most unlikely choice to bring a superhero movie to life. However, marvel like a left field director, and Branagh’s experience working on dozens of Shakespeare based projects, proves he was not only the best man for the job he was likely the only man for the job. A decade or so ago our Ken could of made a pretty good Thor himself, but Chris Hemsworth proves to be more than up to the almighty task.

Hemsworth has had a run of bad luck, he filmed both Cabin in the Woods and the Red Dawn remake before he was cast in Thor, both movies were caught up in MGM’s money problems and Cabin has on just been released (see it now).

Thor could have so easily been a laughable mess, but thankfully it’s every bit as much fun as Iron Man and manages to be just as credible. Few actors can say “ice giants” and convey a sense of regal leadership, Anthony Hopkins is spot on casting and the same could be said for each and every role.

The special effects are impressive and the action scenes well staged, it would seem Branagh has a knack for big set pieces and you’d never know he’d never directed a blockbuster before.

Jumping ship for the sequel, Branagh’s replacement is Alan Taylor. While Taylor hasn’t directed many feature films his TV work reads like a list of my favourite shows, notching up directing credits on Game of Thrones, Deadwood, Mad Men,  Boardwalk Empire and The Sopranos, I was immediately reassured Thor 2 was going to be in good hands.

The tweaks and changes to the mythology work well on the big screen, whilst some fans were angered I liked the changes and they fit into the new Marvel universe seamlessly.

The post credits scene is a major indication about Loki’s plan, which will make up the reason why the Avengers assemble.

Avengers week continues tomorrow with Captain America: The First Avenger