Marvel Comics superhero devotees ought to thrive on the embodiment of the mighty god of thunder, “Thor” by Chris Hemsworth, an impressive, muscled hulk. More than the usual comic book fun, popcorn movie, it’s a smartly-crafted presentation. In the galaxy’s fictitious empire of Asgard, one-eyed ruler, Odin (Anthony Hopkins), emperor of the gods, is dissatisfied with rebellious, demi-god son, Thor. His envious, conniving brother Loki (Tom Huddleston) seeks control of the throne and causes a rift between brother and father. Exasperated, Odin exiles the disobedient Thor to Earth to acquire humility and mend his defiant ways. Landing on terra firma, he’s mortal yet packs a helluva wallop. Found by astrophysicist, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), her colleague Darcy (Kat Dennings), and their mentor, Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard), Thor protects them from harm.
Actor-filmmaker Kenneth Branagh of Shakespearean classics zestfully directs with a fair amount of glee, and offers an array of stunts and special F/X. Charismatic Chris Hemsworth’s Thor is reminiscent of Jeff Bridges’ “Starman,” an alien with a droll sense of humor in a relationship with a female earthling. Hemsworth and Natalie Portman are sweetly romantic, though her role is underwritten–she’s an old-fashioned damsel-in-distress, and their romance is brief. This is an eye-filling, cinematic take in 3D on another popular superhero to enjoy.
