Thor (2011)

Thor is actually my favourite of the first phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Firstly it looks amazing, keeping with the trend of improving visual effects with each installment of the series. Secondly I’m a big fan of the contrast in scripting style between the 21st Century humans and the inhabitants of Asgard and the awkwardness that ensues when the two worlds converge. The opening sequence was only average but amusing, but the reveal of Asgard was fabulous and the whole set up of the other world was excellently executed. The young Thor (Dakota Goyo) and Loki (Ted Allpress) were satisfying, the latter looking impressively like his aged counterpart (Tom Hiddleston). Idris Elba makes a fitting Heimdall and the whole premise of the bridge and the gatekeeper worked excellently. Chris Hemsworth (Thor Odinson) was of course brilliant at comedy and tragedy alike, while Anthony Hopkins suited the role of Odin well.The battle scene between Asgardians and Ice Giants looked good but dragged on a little, unlike the fights against the Destroyer and later the Ice Giants in Asgard. Clark Gregg (Phillip Coulson) and Jeremy Renner (Clint Barton) were decent and Natalie Portman (Jane Foster) and Kat Dennings (Darcy Lewis) were both very good with Stellan Skarsgard (Erik Selvig) not quite reaching their standards. Similarly Tadanobu Asano (Hogun) and Josh Dallas (Fandral) did not seem to live up to Jaimie Alexander (Sif) or Ray Stevenson (Volstagg), though this may just be because there was less to their characters. The scene with the campfire and Thor’s resurrection were both very good, and I also enjoy how Coulson and S.H.I.E.L.D are portrayed as antagonists. There is little to be said negatively of this film, and it sets the standard high for the latter half of this first Avengers phase, though I know the standard barely drops for the rest of it.