'Thor'

'Thor' (PG-13) (3 stars)

Writers: Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz and Dan Payne
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins,
Stellan Skarsgard, Kat Dennings, Tom Hiddleston, Rene Russo, Tadanobu Asano

Thor is not one of my favorites of the DC Comics characters but the filmmakers of the movie "Thor" do a very good job. I wasn't expecting a movie that mixes Shakespearean tragedy with Greek Mythology. The movie is old fashioned, goofy fun without being heavy handed. There is also some very funny humor in the movie and a touch of class with the casting and director. "Thor" is a damn good time at the movies and the way a fantasy movie or superhero movie should be done.

The movie is effective and much better than the "Clash of the Titans" remake and the awful "Troy". Thor is banished from his kingdom by his father King Odin (Hopkins) for disrupting the truce between his father and the Frost Giants. He is sent to earth where he is run over twice, in two very funny scenes by a crew of scientists. I was very worried at the start of "Thor" because it seemed like it was going to be hokey and silly. The first 20 minutes of this movie are shaky and then things start to catch on fire after that. The movie has too much exposition and talk with some goofy special effects. Then I started to get comfortable with the look and the excellent production design by veteran great Bo Welch.

The special effects also become very cool, much better than the ugly, shoddy look and effects of the Titans remake. The movie also has a very good looking and charismatic lead in Chris Hemsworth. Hemsworth is very well built and great at action scenes but he is also funny and can act. The movie's ace in the hole is Natalie Portman who bounces back from "Your Highness". You know a movie is usually smart with Portman in it and her Jane Foster character is well written. She does fall in love with Thor but not blindly. The movie also has pedigree thanks to it's director Kenneth Branagh.

There were many great surprises for me that I did not expect in a superhero movie called "Thor". First with Kenneth Branagh at the helm you get some classic tragedy and Shakespeare influence. It was a masterstroke to get someone like Branagh to direct. He brings his Shakepseare background to a very solid story here about Kingdoms, families and honor. I also didn't expect a smart love story and a quiet scene where Thor and Jane sit under the stars and have a sweet conversation. Imagine a thoughtful moment full of good dialogue in a loud superhero movie?

The story leads to a very cool and explosive battle at the end that is fun, exciting and extremely well directed. The ending has it all in action, effects and goofy thrills. You also have some great supporting turns including the very funny Kat Dennings. "Thor" is smart, fun, sweet, exciting and gave me that feeling I got when I was younger and sat through awesome superhero movies like "Superman II", my favorite superhero movie. "Thor" and "Ironman" have the same kind of talent behind them, directors like Jon Favreau and Kenneth Branagh who take these stories seriously and that is very good indeed.

P.S. If you stay all the way to the end of the credits you will see more build up for the upcoming "Avengers" movie. I don't know what it all means but it is getting me intrigued and excited.