Review: Thor

I remember first hearing Marvel was planning a series of films leading up to The Avengers some time around April 2008, just before the firstIron Man. I thought to myself "Huh, that's interesting," but had little other reaction. Iron Man proved an astounding success, taking what was to my mind one of the less-spectacular of Marvel's titles and giving it the star treatment. Robert Downey Jr. brought Tony Stark to life in a way that made his time outside the suit almost, if not more, interesting than his time in it.

Then later that year I refused to watch Hulk, because I thought it looked like a rehash of the 2003 Ang Lee version. (And finally after watching it this weekend, I'm convinced I was right. Hulk fights another Hulk at the end of both films.) Until Iron Man 2 was released last year, I didn't give much thought to The Avengers. Then, just a glimpse of Captain America's shield, and the teaser with Thor's hammer at the end, my imagination was captured, and I began to believe they would manage to pull it all together and create something great.

Now I have seen Thor, and I am completely enthusiastic about The Avengers and the rest of the films leading up to it. Kenneth Branagh has directed a show worthy of sitting on the shelf next to both of the Iron Man films and the rest of your favorite superhero titles. It may well prove to be his most popular movie.