Snark, Critic and Pop!

Sadly, Saturday I did not see the Asylum’s, low-budget mockbuster Almighty Thor, though it sits comfortably on my DVR for a later date.  I did however see the big budget, comic book adaptation Thor which opened on Friday.  Coming into the theater with low expections, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised.

Thor is entertaining in a similar vein to 2008′s Iron Man, with a focus on character development/growth and a healthy dose of comic relief.  In this case, it’s the  Thor’s (newcomer Chris Hemsworth, who will be a star)  journey from vain, hammer-happy warrior to compassionate, lovable god of thunder.  Natalie Portman is great as Thor’s love interest on Earth, when he’s cast out of Asgard for disobeying “all-father Odin” (Anthony Hopkins, phoning it in).

There we get a lot of fish-out-of-water comedy with Thor adapting to the Earthly realm.  Highlight: Thor bursting into a pet store crying that he needs a horse.  You’ll laugh at the funny jokes, you’ll chuckle at the actors in the silly “god” costumes and sets, and the action is well paced by director Kenneth Brannagh. 

Not a great movie, but an unexpectedly enjoyable Summer venture.  Mild recommendation!