''Thor''

I watched Thor mostly because i was bored but also thought it might be a good idea to get one of the backstories for 'The Avengers' which i still haven't seen. The film doesn't start all that well as they set it in New Mexico, which to me, is very cliche. However I haven't read the comic books so it may actually fit with them, i don't know. Anyway the film stars Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman plays an Astro-physicist, or I should say, a rather unconvincing one. This is one of the major downfalls of the film as the female character is your classic 'hot & smart' girl. So focused on her research doesn't have time for men kind of thing. Now i'm not saying it was a poor performance from her its just the character she was cast for made it difficult to break away from the stereotype that her character was. 

The film begins, like i've said, in New mexico. Natalie Portman and her friend and this old man who was a friend of her fathers (even though you don't find that out for ages and are left wondering why this random old guy is with these two girls). They're star gazing and a weird storm happens which looks a lot like the northern lights and we find out Thor has been exiled from Asgard for being reckless and arrogant and Odin therefore cast him out. 

Natalie Portman... Good actor, terrible astro physicist 

Despite what i have said so far about this film the visual effects are outstanding. The modelling and CGI on Asgard is fantastic as well as the whole culture the Asgardians have. I really like the way they have used the old style of war i.e with spears, shields, swords and the like, but have made them really futuristic and funky. They also possess the ability of space travel through some weird projection gun on the edge of the city. The combination between these two eras, if you will, is really well done which is why i wish more of the film was set in Asgard itself.

            The other great thing about this film is the costume design. As you will see in the belowe image of Odin Thor and Loki the armour they wear looks almost like s space suit but keeping with the nordic style has turned it into something quite spectacular. The red capes as well add a certain level of authenticity as far as what we assume gods wear. 

         What also irritated me was Thor's irritating lines at the beginning of the film. Saying that though i realised afterwards that the lines were done on purpose to make Thor seem like a dick, which they do. But once he has learned the error of his ways etc. etc. his lines and his general demeanour become a lot more likeable which is definitely credit to Hemsworth for being able to play two characters essentially.

Asgard. Designed and displayed beautifully 

Fantastic Costume Design. 

I also think that all of the 'gods' involved (Loki, Thor and Odin) were cast very well. Anthony Hopkins plays Odin really well as he captures the wisdom and might that a god has. However i think that Tom Hiddleston's performance was the best out of the 3 as he manages to look like the warm comforting brother when in fact he's a slimy little weasel who only wants the throne for himself and double crosses Thor instead of choosing to help him. I'm not saying Hiddlestone deserves an Oscar is just think he played Loki like the snake he was depicted to be

Overall I thought this film was average at best. A film about gods should be 'epic' but it turned out like every other superhero movie, average. However the visual effects were stunning which i liked, but unfortunately that doesn't make up for its downfalls. 

5/10