Currently sitting at a 94% "fresh" rating on RottenTomatoes and since i'm a nut for mythology in general i decided to see it tonight. Keep in mind i've never even read a single comic from this series or many Marvel comics in general so my opinion might be a bit iffy during this review.
Thor: IT'S AWESOME!
Really, it's arguably better than the first Iron Man and a damn sight better than Iron Man II by quite a bit. It's a true return to form for Marvel Studios after many fans and moviegoers felt a bit let down by Iron Man II. The action is AMAZING and puts anything else the studio or any other studio that's dabbed it's hands into comic book movies has done to shame. The plot is simple but solid; the god figure (Thor) is cast out from Asgard and down to earth to be taught a lesson in humility after he stirs up a hornets nest of epic proportions. The plot follows Thor's efforts to return to Asgard and later to fight the forces that pursue him in exile and that threaten earth's people. It also follows the machinations of Thor's brother Loki and his own ambitions. It's also got it's fair share of pretty funny (in a laugh out loud way) moments that really got me laughing, i'd say it provides laughs on par with the first Iron Man... maybe a few more depending on your own sense of humor.
The acting is solid throughout, Anthony Hopkins is pretty intimidating as Odin and Chris Hemsworth is excellent as Thor. You'll be happy to know that appearances and references to "The Avengers" are almost non-existant, someone at Marvel was quick to pick up the ball that got dropped during Iron Man II pretty fast. S.H.I.E.L.D is mentioned a fair bit but it actually plays a part in the storyline rather than a "hey look over there, it's Cap's shield" sort of thing. The soundtrack is pretty decent as well, if hearing AC/DC twice over in Iron Man and Iron Man II got annoying (i myself facepalmed at the end of Iron Man II when "Highway to Hell" started) it's not been repeated here don't worry. I was expecting to hear something like "Kiss - God of Thunder" or something but the soundtrack is pretty small but again, solid.
Here is one of the tracks: Foo Fighters - Walk
Many fans and critics alike were worried during Thor's production that the director would not be able to keep the film from 'going over the top', which many thought would be hard given the source material but it's been done. Asgard is a visual delight to look at as are the other realms Thor and his fellow warriors visit throughout the plot. Nothing seems too over the top, Thor even goes out of his way to say "Where i am from, 'Science' and 'Magic' are one and the same" at one point, almost as if to hammer that home (har har...).
The film instead roots itself in Norse Mythology extremely well and does it justice in bringing themes from it to the big screen in a not-so-silly manner. Things like the Aesir, Yggdrasil (sp?) and Asgard in general are all pulled off brilliantly. It truly is a love-letter to fans of the comic and to those that like Norse Mythology.
I was extremely impressed with this film and i'm now pretty eager to see what part Thor plays in "The Avengers", i also find myself looking forward to Captain America a lot more than i was now. Marvel has clearly picked themselves up and have gotten their game back on the tracks.
My rating... 10/10. (Rarely do this)
If anyone else has seen it yet what is your take on it?
EDIT: Sorry, i'm from the UK and i think we got to see this sooner for some reason.
Edited, Apr 28th 2011 7:11pm by Tatham