Questionable Review: Thor

This here review was originally posted on my ComicVine.com and Screened.com profiles. Check those out, HERE and HERE, respectively.

Since the so-called "Avengers Initiative" was put into place by Marvel Studios; building up characters and franchises in anticipation of the huge crossover film directed by Joss Whedon; they've been putting out consistently solid film efforts. Many of these could even be called great. However, where Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk are somewhat grounded and based in technology and science, Thor concerns itself with deities and Shakespearean melodrama. Does this dramatic shift in tone sink Marvel's latest superhero romp?

SO WHAT'S THIS MOVIE ABOUT?

Thor follows the titular Norse god of thunder and the struggles in both his home realm of Asgard and the human world of Midgard (Earth). It seems that years ago, the Asgardians thwarted an invasion of Earth by the Frost Giants of Jotunheim. Now many years later, the leader of Asgard, Odin (Anthony Hopkins) is ready to relinquish his throne to his son, Thor (Chris Hemsworth). However, after a band of Frost Giants invade Asgard, threatening the long held truce between the two nations, Thor takes it upon himself to deliver swift justice unto Jotunheim. Odin is none too pleased with this. As punishment, he strips Thor of his godhood and his magic hammer, Mjolnir, and banishes him to Earth. There, he becomes intertwined in the affairs of the scientist, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), and attempts desperately to regain his status. Asgard faces its own problems in Thor's absence, as traitors in the ranks threaten to tear the realm apart from within, and Thor's brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) ascends to the throne in the wake of grave misfortune. Thor must prove himself worthy and return before great evil befalls his beloved home.

SO WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT THIS MOVIE?

Director Kenneth Branagh brings Thor's world to the big screen beautifully. As I stated earlier, what could have been Thor's biggest crutch was its tonal difference between the previous Marvel films (IE, Thor being decidedly sillier in source material). However, Branagh pulls off the look and feel of Asgard with aplomb, grounding it enough to fit in with the established Marvel Universe while keeping the connections to Norse lore and mythology that make it so intriguing in the first place. Hemsworth, in his first major role, is astounding as Thor. He exudes an incredible charisma, and more than has the physicality and intensity to portray the god of thunder. His Asgardian cast, particularly Hopkins,Hiddleston and Idris Elba as Heimdall, are almost equally strong. Even Portman, who only occasionally is able to anchor the Earth scenes, succeeds because of her natural chemistry with Hemsworth. Lastly, the action scenes in Thor are good fun. The punchy choreography and grandiose battles are a joy to watch, and the first time Thor channels lightening through Mjolnir, cratering a huge chunk of Jotunheim, I got genuine goosebumps.

SO WHAT SUCKS ABOUT THIS MOVIE?

As great as the action and drama surrounding Thor's home of Asgard is, the Earth scenes are only serviceable. They aren't terrible or unwatchable by any means, but when the script lapses into the casual and Thor's adventures devolve into wacky slapstick, it feels a tad uneven. This isn't helped by the fact that Kat Dennings' character, in particular, does her darnedest to derail every single scene. I get that she's supposed to be the "ice breaker"; the one to cut the tension when Portman and Stellan Skarsgard's character are talking about science and what not; but she comes off as too annoying. Also, although the history and lineage of Asgard is summed up admirably, I feel it may be a bit much for people to take in one shot. I'm somewhat familiar with Thor's mythos and found myself fumbling a bit at the start, trying to get a bearing for Asgard and its people.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Thor used to have a terrible cartoon show. This... this isn't it...

SO WHAT'S THE FINAL VERDICT?

Thor is another great offering from Marvel. While some may stumble over the more outlandish premise, and indeed the movie itself stumbles in places, it is another worthwhile addition to the pantheon of superhero films. It is grandiose and fun in a way that many films are not, let alone films of this genre. It isn't high cinema (at least the Earth scenes aren't), but if you've got one bone of affection for superheroes, mythology, or muscular blonde men, your money would be well spent by seeing Thor.

Questionable(y Late) Review: Black Swan

Despite my assertion of being a fake film critic, there are just some films regardless of notoriety that I can't get around to seeing. One such film was Oscar darling, Black Swan. Directed by Darren Aronofsky (who captivated me with his direction of The Wrestler) and starring Natalie Portman (whose acting, and... erm... acting I've been a fan of since the days of Phantom Menace), does this haunting and horrifying ballet drama deserve the praise it received from the Academy?

SO WHAT'S THIS MOVIE ABOUT?

Black Swan explores the seedier side of performance art, and the ravaging effects that the obsession with perfection can bring about to the performers. Nina (Portman), a technically meticulous ballerina, is vying for the lead in her struggling company's adaptation of Swan Lake. Nina, however, is an extremely sheltered and frigid individual raised by an overbearing mother (Barbara Hershey), whose own obsession with her daughter's success only adds to the overwhelming nature of her undertaking. However, Nina soon finds that being "perfect" doesn't just mean dancing perfectly, as she's drawn into going "above and beyond" in an attempt to assure her place as the company's new star, leading to less-than savory encounters with the company's trashy director, Thomas (Vincent Cassel). Tensions continue to rise as a new dancer, Lily (Mila Kunis), whose more free-spirited nature threatens to steal Nina's spotlight. From here, Nina spirals further and further into her obsession, eventually leading to signs of growing madness as the once sweet girl becomes pulled inside the role she so desperately wants.

SO WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT THIS MOVIE?

Aside from practically everything? Truly, I have a difficult time just how excellent I felt this film was. For starters, Darren Aronofsky's direction is amazing. The way he balances the juxtaposition between the elegant art of ballet with the film's exceedingly dirty underbelly is masterful. It provides a roller coaster of emotions for the viewer, who is taken along with Nina on a dizzying descent into madness. Indeed, I've never been a performer myself, but through Aronofsky's direction, I felt the dread, the pressure, and the guilt that the ballerina experienced to the point where even I felt a bit crazy at points.

Of course much of the credit for this also goes straight to the fantastic acting abilities of Natalie Portman. Not only does Portman physically encompass the role she's given, but convincingly transforms as her character transforms; becoming an entirely different person from who she was at the start of the film and exuding an almost otherworldly presence. Of course, Kunis and Cassel do a great job in their own roles, ones that clash with Portman's character at just the right times. However, Barbara Hershey perhaps steals the supporting cast spotlight as the maddeningly overprotective mother to Nina, and Winona Ryder does a great job with her own limited role. Lastly, the film's soundtrack which combines the haunting melodies of Swan Lake with contemporary music and horror movie stings fits perfectly with the film's tone.

SO WHAT SUCKS ABOUT THIS MOVIE?

Very little, actually. I would only say that maybe the advertising campaign for Black Swan fails to convey just how dark and how dirty this film goes. Unprepared audiences may be downright shocked the levels of sleaze this ballet movie sinks down to. Also, the disorienting nature of Aronofsky's direction can do just that, disorient the idle film viewer, so Black Swan definitely isn't a film you're going to watch to relax in the evening. This is a mind trip.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Aronofsky was in line to direct a Wolverine move for a while. He's since left that project, but given his work here and on The Wrestler, I'd say his grim and gritty style would have fit perfectly with the old Canuckle head. Just sayin'...

SO WHAT'S THE FINAL VERDICT?

Occasionally, Oscar-nominated films fail to live up to the expectations that go along with that status. Black Swan is not one of those films. This is a wholly disorienting, often surprising, and extremely dark film about obsession, madness, love, and performing arts. It surely isn't going to hit home with all audiences, but for those willing to let Black Swan sweep them away, they'll find themselves lost to the tale of one performers struggle to keep her role and herself intact. Go see it.