DVD reviews: Thor (12) 4/5

THIS could be the most surprising film of the year.

Billed as a muscle-bound festival of anger and shouting, THOR is in fact entertaining, visually-impressive and even sensitive on occasion.

Chris Hemsworth revels in playing the hammer-wielding Thor, God of Thunder, cast out from his home in Asgard to Earth to calm his warmongering.

Along the way, oddly-cast Natalie Portman’s scientist softens him, as Thor tries to return home to defeat his evil brother, who has snatched the Asgard throne. It was presumably Kenneth Branagh’s direction that prevented this becoming another 300, an achievement which is to his credit.

A supporting cast including Idris Elba and Anthony Hopkins aid the fast-paced and intelligent storytelling, making the inevitable sequel an inviting prospect.

The final star is missing, however, because it could and should have been funnier, and I have a few questions about the plot.

Special features on the one-disc DVD include a commentary by Branagh and deleted scenes.

AJ

?

DVDs reviewed courtesy of HMV, Inverness.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.