Thor

Directed by Kenneth Branagh (best known for his excellent Shakespearean films—as both actor and director), Thor is a fun-filled comic-book adventure revolving around one of the lesser-known Marvel characters. Following an ancient epic war, the heavenly Norse homeland of Asgard has finally achieved a tentative armistice with the ominous Frost Giants of Jotunheim. But when that peace is impetuously threatened by Thor (Chris Hemsworth)—headstrong heir to the godly throne of wise, weary Odin (Anthony Hopkins)—he's stripped of his mighty hammer Mjolnir and banished to live among present-day humans in order to learn to harness his anger and develop humility. In the guise of a bearded stranger, Thor lands (literally) in New Mexico, hitting an SUV carrying astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), her assistant (Kat Dennings), and her mentor (Stellan Skarsgård), who are investigating an inexplicable atmospheric disturbance. Befriending the scientists, fish-out-of-water Thor remains determined to reclaim Mjolnir and his right of succession, but he faces strong opposition, both from his duplicitous younger half-brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) of the shadowy government agency S.H.I.E.L.D. Thor unfolds across three dazzling, vastly different FX-enhanced realms—Asgard, Midgard (Earth), and Jotunheim—connected by an interdimensional celestial portal. And hunky Aussie newcomer Hemsworth seems perfect as the god of thunder, even if his transformation from arrogant Viking prince to thoughtful hero is a little too quickly developed. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Kenneth Branagh, a “Road to The Avengers” preview for the upcoming film (3 min.), four deleted scenes, and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are seven featurettes including “Music of the Gods” and “From Asgard to Earth” (46 min.), deleted scenes (25 min.), a “Marvel One-Shot: The Consultant” short (4 min.), and bonus 3D, DVD, and a digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a fun superhero flick.] (S. Granger)