Thor

Thor is really two movies in one: the “A” story takes place on our Earth, where Thor and his hammer arrive separately. The “B” story takes place in Asgard, the realm of the gods, and tells how Thor came to us. And I should really give this movie two ratings: a 3.25 for the A story, and a 2 for the B story. They are that different.

The movie opens with some storm-chasers out in the wilds of New Mexico. Natalie Portman is focused on her instruments, while Kat Dennings is driving. When the storm appears in all its ferocity, Kat tries to drive away, while Natalie grabs the wheel to move them closer. And then they hit someone.

Before we can see who they hit or really make sense of what’s happening, the movie smash-cuts into Asgard. And we then spend what seems like hours panning around a completely CGI cityscape. It’s a bit like hitting the water-ski jump at 60mph and coming down into a lake of molasses. All you really want at this point is to find out what they hell happened to Natalie, but you find yourself on a parade of homes tour.

So, more minutes of talk, talk, talk. Thor is about be named successor to Odin (his father). Big throne-room scene, interrupted by a burglary by the Frost Giants. A bit more all-CGI video-game between Frost Giants and a robot-like thing called the “Destroyer”. Then more talk, talk.

Finally, we’re back to Earth where we now see the injured man is Thor. I won’t repeat the whole plotline here; it’s a love story, of sorts. It seems to be common in love stories taken from comic-books that no one really changes, no one really falls deeply in love. Never do we see the “three parts passion, two parts teeth” of a real adult human relationship. It’s hard not to be moved by Natalie Portman’s portrayal of the love-stricken doctor, but ultimately she and Thor never really connect in any meaningful way.

I was pleased and surprised when J. Michael Straczynski popped in for a cameo, followed by the (now de-rigeur) appearance of Stan Lee. I assume some of the other close-ups of people who never again appear in the story are other writers from the Thor saga, but I did not recognize them. Still, it was good to see Joe again.

Eventually, the B story (Asgard) heats up, and the movie stops lurching back and forth. So the last third of the movie is pretty entertaining. It even brings both threads together, slightly, which keeps you from thinking someone simply intercut two different movies together.

All-in-all, it’s worth seeing. Be prepared for the talk-talk at the beginning, and enjoy Natalie Portman and Kat Dennings. Dennings, I believe, is the next Amanda Seyfried. She’s still in supporting roles, but has such great screen presence that you just know she’ll be acting in lead roles soon. She’s on my list with Emily Blunt and Emma Stone as people to watch.

My rating: 2.5 stars out of 4