Gift from the gods

Director: Kenneth Branagh,
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins

Thor (Hemsworth) is a powerful celestial warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. When he is cast down to Earth by his father Odin (Hopkins) and forced to live among humans he meets Jane Foster (Portman), a beautiful young astrophysicist who has a profound effect on him, as she ultimately becomes his first love.

Thor is forced to discover what it takes to be a true hero as the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade his new home.

The latest in a long line of Marvel comic book adaptations, Thor breaks the mould in a couple of ways. To start with, this is the first time that real ‘magic’ has been introduced to the Marvel universe and secondly, the film is directed by Kenneth Branagh, a man better known for his love of Shakespeare.

Fortunately, Branagh has done a superb job at grounding its more fantastical moments, ensuring nothing feels too silly or over the top, and also gets magnificent performances from this impressive cast, not least Chris Hemsworth as the titular Thor, who casts an immense presence over this grandiose epic.

Thor is the first proper blockbuster of the year – a magnificent space romp that will thrill even the most cynical viewer. A Thor-oughly thundering triumph.

Genre: Action | Adventure | Drama
Age Restriction: PG13
Runtime: 114 min