Marvel movies know what they’re doing: clear action, sharp performances, and smart scripts. Of course, the studio is allowed its mistakes after so many hits (I look at you here, Iron Man 2), but most of the time, Marvel nails it, especially in its setting for the long-awaited Avengers movie. We have had Iron Man, Black Widow and The Incredible Hulk, we have Captain America and now we have Thor, the god of thunder. Not just thunder, but lightning and fertility and strength (thanks Wikipedia). And if anyone can embody fertility, strength and harsh weather, it is Chris Hemsworth. Tall, blond, stocky (he has to be the ideal cast) and in a movie full of political intrigue, lighthearted hysteria and Shakespearean grandeur, Kenneth Branagh has to be the ideal director.

The film begins in Asgard, a powerful kingdom in another world, where the respected King Odin (Anthony Hopkins) has two boys who want the throne: the ironic and intelligent Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and the arrogant and brutally strong Thor (Hemsworth). . Thor is a proud warrior with a group of great friends who follow him into battle against the Frost Giants, a race his father once proudly defeated. Of course, this goes against his father’s wishes, so Thor is stripped of his powers and his only weapon, that famous hammer, and both he and the hammer are banished to Earth through a wormhole. . He lands in New Mexico, where he finds himself (read: being hit by the car of) three scientists: Jane (Natalie Portman), Erik (Stellan Skarsgard) and Darcy (Kat Dennings). His hammer lands shortly after, and he begins the search to retrieve it, with the help of the scientists. Meanwhile, a war begins to brew in Asgard between the kingdom and the Frost Giants in retaliation for Thor’s invasion.

It’s interesting to see Thor adjust to his mortal form and get used to life on Earth. What’s even more interesting is Branagh’s tonal choices for the film – it’s an incredibly lighthearted take, with beautifully crafted 3D and special effects, and Branagh knows how to balance humor (of which there is a lot) and drama (which is heavy). ). Even when he was directing Hamlet in ’96, he knew how to find humor in tragedy and vice versa. For a glimpse of the dark side of his humor and a better insight into his directing talents, check out Sleuth (2007) with Michael Caine and Jude Law. Most impressive, in terms of effects, was the use of the 3D format. I know my readers; they’re thinking “Wait … did you really like 3D?” And yes, I did. It served its purpose, this time; the movie was dimly lit, but the 3D action was clear and not distracting from what was happening. 3D generally just makes a movie darker, and this was not the case here.

Performances are what sell movies like this. Iron Man had one of Robert Downey, Jr.’s strongest performances in years; Edward Norton brought a lot of empathy to the Hulk. Chris Hemsworth makes Thor believable, despite how amazing the character and overall story are. He plays Thor as a kid, somehow, maybe just a cheeky teenager with too much power, and he learns to be the hero he needs to be. Natalie Portman might as well be a Disney princess, but her Jane Foster’s crush on Thor is tangible, and they make the sweetest couple. Stellan Skarsgard and Kat Dennings have incredible chemistry as a comedy team, and Skarsgard can steal scenes from whoever he wants; he is a powerful actor. Anthony Hopkins kills the stage a bit, but his character is larger than life, so that could come with the territory.

However, the smaller performances really seal the movie. Idris Elba has a small role as a castle guard and leaves a haunting impression. Rene Russo returns to the big screen as Thor’s mother, and while it’s barely noticeable, she provides what is basically a cameo with just enough to be effective, without distracting. It’s good to see her again. Colm Feore gives a terrifyingly smooth performance as the Giant Ice King Laufey; it is slimy and slippery from evil. Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye is also featured, and Clark Gregg returns from the Iron Man movies as Agent Coulson, the leader of SHIELD, searching for Thor and the hammer. You know it’s an Avengers movie because Coulson makes some jokes at Tony Stark’s expense.

An example of the film’s lighthearted tone: Thor and the three scientists are in a New Mexico restaurant, and Thor runs out of coffee. “This drink is delicious! More!” he yells and slams his jug on the ground, like a Norse god would when he asks for more wine. Portman’s instant maternal reaction kicks off the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Another example: the discovery of the hammer lodged in a rock in the middle of the desert leads to a series of sword and stone attempts to remove it. There is a cameo you don’t want to miss there. And, as usual in Marvel, there is a scene after the credits that sets up the next movie.

I hope to see more of Chris Hemsworth, hopefully not in many Thor movies, as he has the talent not only to be an action hero; And if there’s another Thor movie, I’d love for the same cast to return, with Branagh directing them again. I think maybe they screwed me up, but the whole project would feel different otherwise. This is the best of the Avenger movies since the first Iron Man, and one of the best superhero movies I’ve seen in a long time. It certainly makes up for The Green Hornet, and it’s a great start to the superhero season. Captain America is out soon, The Green Lantern after that, then the Spider-Man reboot … even if they end up being terrible, at least we have Thor to turn to. And who better to trust than him?