Thor My God

(I wrote this last Friday but just now getting around to posting it! :( )

I got to see Thor last night, in a special pre-screening hosted by Bobby Rahal Acura. Acura is a movie sponsor--all the S.H.I.E.L.D. cars are Acuras. So it was very cool--free tickets, popcorn, and soda, an early show (instead of midnight or weekend crowds), and a goody bag.

The movie was very good. I thought the casting, acting, and characterization were tops. It was quite spectacular, too, in the visual arena. I didn't like the 3D, because the registration seemed to be off a little at times, making it blurry. But the effects and cinematography were fantastic. Not in the "Oh, wow, look at the effects" kind of way, but so that we were so immersed in the world they'd created, everything seemed very real. Only once did I consciously think "Oh, wow."

The story...I don't want to call it weak, but it wasn't the strongest part of the film. The core conflict was classic family-centered betrayal/redemption, done well enough not to be too tedious or predictable. It was just very focused, and most of it took place on Asgard and the Frost Giants' planet, which made Earth feel like an afterthought. The romance was far too light, and could have been better built to support the sacrifice more strongly.

Still, the movie is well worth seeing for Chris Hemsworth. He broke my heart as George Kirk in Star Trek, but I had a hard time picturing him as Thor because the roles are so different. But man, was he made for Thor.

And I'm not just talking about my "hottest ever" comments on Twitter and Facebook. :) That's a true statement (hint hint, People magazine Sexiest Man Alive editor), but it's not just about muscles and height and low-slung jeans and a bare torso... ... ... Um, where was I? Oh, yeah. Hemsworth carries his body very naturally, so that he projects power. Sometimes his size seemed enhanced in comparison to those around him, but there was no trickery in his grace and strength. Add the hair and those brilliant eyes, and, well, I have a new favorite. :)

Oh, yeah, and his acting was good, too. The best scene was when he thought he'd lost everything. I love an actor who can put that much emotion in his eyes and the lines of his face.

I love the S.H.I.E.L.D. guy, but I felt there was a little too much setup for The Avengers. They could have cut back on the S.H.I.E.L.D. stuff a little and built the romance and Thor's perspective shift, instead. It was cool to have J***** R***** as H****** in an uncredited cameo, though.

Real fans will also recognize Stan Lee in his cameo, catch the reference to Stark, and know to stay through the end of the credits for an additional teaser. This one was pretty good—it made me say "Oh, crap!" and was related to the movie's storyline as well as the Avengers in general.

So, all in all, worth the price of admission. Let me know what you think!