The Galleon - Portsmouth's Official Student Newspaper

Thor, out in cinemas now

[Rating: 8]

This latest flick from the super-duper Marvel franchise introduces us to Thor, the Norse God of Thunder (said in a booming echoing voice). As superheroes go Thor is relatively unknown but this film definitely leaves you wanting to know more.

In a nutshell, after defying his father Odin, played by the formidable Anthony Hopkins, this powerful yet cocky warrior is exiled from the realm of Asgard and sent to Earth as a mortal where he meets scientist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman). Well I say meets – she hit him with her car. While there he finds that there are important lessons that he must learn if he is to save both Earth and Asgard from the forces of evil that would see them destroyed.

Now as beautiful and talented as Natalie Portman is, she was definitely overshadowed by two of her lesser known co-stars. The first being Chris Hemsworth who was tremendous as the mighty Thor himself, with a dominant and commanding performance coupled with devilishly good-looks and a certain knack for throwing a very large and very heavy hammer (so that’s what those bulging biceps were for!). The second show-stealing performance came in the form of Kat Dennings (Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist) who played Portman’s assistant Darcy Lewis. She provided the comic relief with her perfectly timed quirky comments and her inappropriate use of a taser.

You may look at this film and think Marvel, superhero, capes and make believe lands, and automatically come to the conclusion that this film is solely for comic book geeks. But you would be wrong. The perfect blend of comedy and action, coupled with mesmerizing special effects (which can only really be appreciated properly if seen in 3D), alongside themes of heroism, fantasy and romance, make this film suitable and enjoyable for just about anybody, young or old, boy or girl. And girls, if you’re having second thoughts there is something you should know. Chris Hemsworth is ripped within an inch of his life!!! Exaggeration aside he is packing some serious muscle under all that armour and this film definitely makes sure that said muscles don’t go unnoticed!

With blow-your-mind effects, WWF worthy fight scenes and tear-your-heart –out ultimatums and sacrifices, Thor has definitely marked its spot on the Marvel map of giants.