In preparation for the Avengers movie CBD is taking at look back at the films that led to this monumental cinematic occasion. This week the Road To The Avengers drops the hammer on Thor.
Anthony: What struck me right away was how much better the movie is in 2D than it was in the 3D release. 3D really is garbage by in large, and I wish Hollywood would stop shoving it down our throats. It was completely unnecessary and totally tacked on. But I digress. Thor is one of the comic books that I have been reading for years and I thought they did a great job of capturing Thor on film. The cast was perfect, and Idris Elba was a great Heimdall, no matter what the racist naysayers might put forth.
Leigh: I am on the “I hate 3D” wagon with you! and I agree the cast was amazing! I have to say I have never read Thor, but this movie is my favourite out of the five leading up to the Avengers. The costume design, fight scenes, and the acting were great. My only complaint is the chemistry between Thor and Jane Foster (Natalie Portman’s character) is nonexistent. I love Natalie Portman, and Chris Hemsworth is a great pick for Thor (he pulls off the blonde beard very well) but together I felt no sort of connection between the two.
Anthony: And the Warriors Three! The street-fight between them and the Destroyer was a great bit. And the scene where Volstagg was eating was perfect. The movie also does a great job of introducing Loki, who we know is the big bad for the Avengers movie. This nicely sets him up as a powerful villain and a major threat.
Leigh: The Warriors Four? Isn’t there a girl in there somewhere? They were a great side story, very amusing but still kept the plot moving. I enjoyed them quiet a bit. I also like Kat Dennings as the character Darcy. She added humour whenever they showed the Jane Foster story line. They definitely knew how to keep the movie light and still have lots of drama and action. And, yes I agree Loki is a great character. I do feel like they should have let him be a little more evil. They had a couple of scenes with him being very human, which I feel makes him relatable to the audience. This makes you hate the villain less and side with him more. I mean, if he is trying to ruin Thor’s life and be the king simply to impress his father and deal with his identity issues, isn’t he simply a troubled young man?
Anthony: Won’t somebody think of the children!? I think that Loki being a bit more sympathetic character works better for movies and audiences today in both film and comic books demand it. Even Magneto is a way more sympathetic character now than he was when first introduced in the comic books.
Bottom line for me: 3D bad, everything else good. The final swing of the hammer goes to you Leigh.
Leigh: Overall, this is my favourite movie of the lead up, and I am really hoping that Chris Hemsworth takes his shirt off more in the Avengers movie.
Anthony: Nice.
Up next, the final pre-Avengers movie: CaptainAmerica!
I was quite surprised by this movie. Because of the mythical aspect, I thought it would be the most difficult to produce and yet, I also felt it was the best out of the bunch, including IM#1.
This movie had something for everyone, humour, action, sex appeal, fantasy… and great effects. The producers were smart not to over explain the existence of Asgard, keeping one foot in mysticism which made it believable.
Antony Hopkins is one of finest actors to ever grace the silver screen. He consistently delivers top notch performances, even if the film itself is a dud. I highly recommend people look up his past works, especially the ones produced by Merchant Ivory.
This movie works for both fanboy and average citizen alike… and Leigh, if it’s any consolation, I’ve got my shirt off now… Oh hey, is that toonie on the floor **bends over to pick it up while flexing glutes**
Put your shirt back on, cowboy.
I thought Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth had lots of on screen chemistry. The two of them as a couple was more believable than her and Hayden Christiansan.
Last year when it came out, I said it was the perfect comic book movie date night. It was one you could take your significant other to, on date night, and both people enjoy the film (wow… that was a long winded “PC” explanation for trying to say, Girls will like it).
I think the movie helped introduce Thor to a lot of people. Even though Thor has been around for centuries, he isn’t as popular as Spider-Man and Wolverine to the general public, but I think this movie did a lot for the popularity of Thor.
Plus Thor made more money in theatres last summer than Captain America did.
A lot of people (my wife included) think that Thor is the best of the “lead up to” The Avengers movies.
Agreed, not about the chemistry, but about the date night movie. It was a great movie for all different audiences, including families.
It was surprising that Thor did better then Cap. I really think they banked on Captain America being a monster success. I remember I saw both movies close together and it was hard to believe that Thor was a better movie.
I agree, this was definitely the best of the lead-ins. I also enjoy the toys a lot more… although those Hulk fists are pretty cool.
I have enjoyed all of these movies as a lead up to The Avengers culmination, and even with the somewhat slow spots (Captain America being the leading culprit), they were mainly put together well and had the stories and layout of the characters well. However, this being said, I feel the way in which they brought Hawkeye into the audience’s world was terrible! Unless I am greatly blind, Thor only had Hawkeye in the movie at one point, saying less than ten words, and aiming an arrow at Thor as he tried to retrieve his hammer. Unless you were aware of Hawkeye from comics beforehand, you had no idea why Jeremy Rhenner was in such a small part and why such a seemingly needless part was brought into the limelight. Other than this, the bringing into of each character throughout the five films was done greatly…especially the better-than-expected way of how Thor’s mythological aspects were tied in so well.. Great articles on the whole!
Agreed, the Hawkeye’s very quick appearance wasn’t a very good introduction. It left many unknowing viewers wondering why a regular looking agent was using a bow and arrow.(one that he never shot might I add!)
I must admit, I have not read the comics. Loved the movies and had to Google Jeremy Rhenner’s character to understand why he was even remotely important. I expected him to turn all “blue eyed” again.