But I like to think that most of my readers are smart people and don't need a teacher-lecture on how they should review my history. You're being spared.
So, yeah, I knew I'd probably like Thor before going to the theater. This summer has a long list of titles ready to go-Pirates 4, X-Men prequels, Green Lanterns. Probably each one of them following the formula for cinematic success-Fate forbid that a studio invest a few million on an original concept.
Thor is formula, if ever there was one. It's predictable in so many ways, like that very comfortable sweatshirt, it fits the summer of movies like a glove. Everyone in the movie was having so much fun and was so beautiful, it was like watching the beach from a telescope and taking pictures with my phone to prove it to people. Dirty fun, the kind you know you should be enjoying but do anyways.
In other words, even if you weren't invited to the party-you'd still get a kick out of it. THe film tells the story of the Norse God and his abrupt landing on Midgard, or Earth. The scope of the film is actually quite good. He doesn't stop bankrobbers or terrorists--instead, it has to do with his history coming to haunt him and how he comes around to being an honest man. I'd say it's original, but if you were following in the comic book, you'd know pretty much what was coming.
I know I did. But I didn't mind the journey.
Now the movie is created by Kenneth Branagh, one of my first crushes since coming out of the closet in the early ninties. I thought he was a hottieMcbeefcake with an accent in Henry the Fifth, and his selection of material is at once both inspired and surprising. He's one of those Royal Shakespeareans who's voice can make reading ingrediants a sensual experience by inflection alone. Shakespeare is far from an easy read, but he gets it and it showed on the screen (and I assume, his stagework). But, he, well, picked a comic book to return to directing movies. I think this is a trend right now. You have Chris Nolan making Batman completely legit; Ang Lee's Hulk was heady stuff, but an attempt, nonetheless.
It was surprising, but here's the inspiring part-it works. He is completely able to bring a certain gravitas to scenes involving the 'royal play' that the Norse gods bicker through. In fact, he makes Earth a light and forgiving place, full of love and creativity and excitement--a place worth going to. Then he makes Asgard, the home of the gods, a cold place without love and tons of backstabbing and trickery.
Okay, I'm going to mention something else that I don't normally pay attention to--as part of the "cold" of the world of Asgard, Bo Welch, the film's production designer should be applauded. He does something I didn't think was possible. He blends a modern chic with ancient design. It's a technology world, but the tech is all magical. Everything is well lit, but metal; lines lead everywhere, one thinks you're standing inside of a giant clock (especially in the gatehouse...watch for it and tell me what you think).
All things being considered, the movie has its flaws, but I was so busy looking at the Abercrombie and Fitch catalog, I didn't care. And don't think it was only the boys. Natalie Portman is in there and makes the prettiest scientist since Doctor Goodhead in Moonraker. And just as awful of a placement in the piece. She's an excellent actress, so much so, that you can see the weaknesses in the story by her batting her eyelashes enough trying to flutter energy into something. Still, she's just got an Oscar. Maybe this is some kind of movie star break or something.
Yeah, the story is weak becuase, Shakespeare or reading comic books, we've been down this road before.
Go see the movie. It's stupid fun but still fun. I loved it, but we knew that. But I think you might too.
No comments:
Post a Comment