This is your usual superhero fodder. In another realm lives a group of warriors who defend the good on earth in their time of need and are currently at peace with the rival ice people who inhabit a neighboring realm. In command in Odin (Sir Anthony Hopkins) who is about to pass his torch to his massive sculpted son Thor (Chris Hemsworth), much to the disdain of his weaker younger brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston). As Thor is about to be crowned, ice people break in, are thwarted and the passage of the crown is delayed. Thor and his warrior troops break into the ice realm, destroy some ice people, and disrupt the peace between the two peoples. As a result, Thor is cast out to Earth along with his hammer, which can only be moved by someone worthy of it. On Earth, Thor comes in contact with a young scientist (Natalie Portman) who tries to help him return home while he aids her with her research. Meanwhile, back home Loki is plotting against his father as well as to keep Thor banished, all leading to a major showdown between the two brothers. As a part of The Avengers team, Thor is not your typical superhero as I already mentioned, as it incorporates Norse mythology into a present day superhero story. This unusualness is what makes the film work as it is not another standard entry in the genre. When I learned Kenneth Branagh was slated to direct, I was a little surprised until I noticed the Shakespearean elements involving the father and two sons, which is undoubtedly what drew him to the story. With Hemsworth, we have surprisingly nice work including nice comic work in the fish out of water scenario when he enters earth. Natalie Portman is cute as ever and a good romantic lead even though the romance makes no sense. Anthony Hopkins and Stellan Skarsgaard provide typically strong support and I was really taken by Hiddleston's performance as Loki. The 3D is probably unnecessary, but is suitable to the scenes in the alternate realms, and is decidedly unsuited to the scenes in New Mexico where it actually hurts it. Thor is an entertaining atypical entry in The Avengers series which looks like it is shaping up to be a pretty spectacular film. Oh and don't forget to stay through the credits of this one as well.
