Thor (2011) ***

Thor No doubt Thor, the movie, has an entertainment value, including occasional sharp dialogues, cool action scenes and plentiful of special effects. But for a good portion of the movie, it’s nothing to marvel the home planet about... Thor, the mythological hammer-wielding god of thunder (and some other activities,) is portrayed in this adaptation of the Marvel comic book of the same name, as the wild offspring of Odin. He is a son that can use some anger management classes as well as a lesson in growing up. The film is simply, for the most part, unconvincing. Anthony Hopkins plays Odin perfectly, while Chris Hemsworth, as Thor, does what he is expected to do under a role that does not stand to its potential godly galore. The plot, including a corny run-in with the FBI-like S.H.I.E.L.D agents, and the falling in love with Natalie Portman, this time playing the love-object of a god, versus one of a Dark Jedi, is flat. There is so much more that could have been done with this material. Kenneth Branagh’s direction is not altogether bad, but it lacks depth where depth is called for, while adding thunder where thunder is not needed. Despite this review, if its summer fluff you are looking for, Thor will not much disappoint you.