Imperfect
as this film is, I think it’s my favorite of the pre-Avengers movies. I know that
the tone is sometimes jarringly uneven, the third-act fight isn’t anything to
write home about, and, as far as love interests go, Jane can’t touch Pepper or
the incredible Peggy, but I’m okay with it.
I’ve talked before about Thor’s growth in this film, and that’s where
this story really succeeds – weaving the ripe-for-drama tapestry of Thor’s
world, his friends, and his family.
It
isn’t the typical superhero movie, because Thor isn’t a superhero. He’s an alien, but not like any of the
assorted species we meet in Guardians of
the Galaxy. Thor is from Asgard, a
warrior culture where magic and science are the same force, primitive societies
worshipped his people as gods, and wormhole is the preferred mode of
travel. He’s the eldest son of a king,
and as such, his film tells a lofty story full of war, betrayal, ascendance,
duty, and exile. It’s great to watch him
mature from a brash, arrogant prince hungry for war into a future king sworn to
protect those weaker than him.
One of
the film’s biggest assets is of course Thor’s relationship with his brother
Loki, the most memorable Marvel baddie to date, and they’re at their best
here. Loki rises as Thor falls and vice
versa, and despite everything that goes down, it’s obvious that Thor still
loves Loki. This, by the way, helps
Loki’s continued existence in the franchise make sense beyond his character’s
popularity. I get why Thor is so
conflicted about going up against Loki and never stops wanting to believe there
may be a shred of good in him. (Side
note: as much as he resents Thor, a
manipulative trickster like Loki must love having Thor for a brother. He’s so
ruled by his emotions – easy to read, easier to exploit.)
Speaking
of the silver-tongued one, it’s no secret that Loki is a stellar villain. His intricate manipulations are hugely
entertaining to watch, and he makes an especially dangerous adversary for Thor,
who, again, is susceptible to Loki’s tricks and is much more at home wailing on
a foe than outsmarting them. This forces
Thor to stretch and adapt, never a bad thing in my book.
And
hey, maybe it’s a bit corny, but I get a kick out of the fish-out-of-water
comedy during Thor’s time on Earth. Thor
approaches his new surroundings with an amusing mix of defiance (ranting about
his mightiness just before getting tazed,) rolling with the punches (demanding
sustenance for his new “mortal form,”) and trying to fit square pegs into round
Asgardian holes (trying to procure a horse from the pet store.) Given all the high drama going on with his
family, it’s a nice way to defuse the tension now and again.
The
acting is just fantastic. Marvel
couldn’t have found anyone better than Chris Hemsworth or Tom Hiddleston. Hemsworth brings just the right combination
of charisma, nobility, and fun to Thor, and Hiddleston is perfect as the scheming,
tormented Loki. Jane is a rather thin
character, but Natalie Portman brings what she can to the role, and both her
sidekicks and Thor’s are engaging and well-played.
Warnings
Comic book violence,
some drinking, and a little swearing.
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