Thor: Ragnarok

Based on the comic series by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Larry Lieber, Thor: Ragnarok is the story of the godly figure who finds himself in danger when a mysterious figure has returned to Asgard to wreak havoc forcing Thor to seek help from an ally and other figures. Directed by Taika Waititi and screenplay by Eric Pearson Craig Kyle, and Christopher Yost, the film is an exploration of a man trying to fulfill his role but also rectify the mistakes of the past as Chris Hemsworth reprises the role of Thor. Also starring Cate Blanchett, Tom Hiddleston, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson, Idris Elba, Karl Urban, Jeff Goldblum, and Anthony Hopkins as Odin. Thor: Ragnarok is a sprawling yet witty film from Taika Waititi.

Two years after the events in Sokovia where Thor helped the Avengers saved its people, the film follows the godly figure trying to get answers about the Infinity Stones where he learns that a mysterious figure named Hela (Cate Blanchett) is returning to Asgard to make her claim to its throne and its people. It’s a film that has Thor not only try to find out the whereabouts of his father but also deal with the sins that Odin had been carrying as it include Hela who is revealed to be Thor’s older sister that was cast out of Asgard due to her dark ambitions. With the help of his adopted brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Thor tries to stop Hela only for things to go wrong as she takes control of Asgard while Thor finds himself in the planet of Sakaar. The film’s screenplay doesn’t just explore the sins that Odin has laid upon for his sons who are forced to work together and deal with themselves but also realize the role that Thor is destined to carry as he is Asgard’s true heir.

The script also has this unique structure that doesn’t just play into the development of the story but also the characters as Thor is first seen imprisoned by the fire demon Surtur (voice of Clancy Brown) in his search for the Infinity Stones where he also learns of the prophecy known as Ragnarok that will deal with the end of Asgard which had been in Thor’s mind for some time. Upon his return to Asgard where he learns that his father had been away, he turns to Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) for help where he and Loki find Odin’s whereabouts who reveal his own sins and the return of Hela. The second act isn’t just about Hela taking over Asgard as well as deal with a resistance led by Heimdall (Idris Elba) who had taken the sword that controls the Bridge to all nine realms. It’s also about Thor in the planet of Sakaar where he’s captured by a woman named Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) where he’s forced to become a gladiator for amusement of the planet’s leader in the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum) where its champion is none other than the Hulk/Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). Thor has to convince the Hulk to join him in saving Asgard as well as Valkyrie who was once part of an army of warriors that tried to stop Hela years ago.

Taika Waititi’s direction is very offbeat not just for the fact that it’s a film with grand visuals and set in a large universe but it’s also approached with a sense of humor mixed in with bits of tragedy. Though shot mainly on soundstages at Pinewood Studios in Atlanta, the film also shoots on location in New York City and parts of Australia with the latter as the forest and mountains in Asgard. Waititi does create something that is grounded but also maintain the importance of the different lands and galaxies where it is very diverse as well as filled with all sorts of ideas of the world that Thor is encountering. Waititi would use some wide shots for those locations but also in some of the battle scenes and in the gladiator showdown between Thor and Hulk as the latter is this mixture of humor and drama. He would also use some close-ups and medium shots as it play into the situations that Thor is in whether it’s being imprisoned at Sakaar where he would befriend other gladiators including a rock-like creature named Korg (Taika Waititi) or coping with the sins of his father.

The direction doesn’t showcase the motivations of Hela in the need to claim her place in the throne as Asgard’s sole ruler but also infuse with some dark humor where Hela is someone that is just hell-bent on wreaking havoc. Waititi would also showcase Asgard when Odin isn’t available as it include this play of Thor and Loki’s adventures where Thor is watching with befuddlement. It’s among these offbeat moments in the film that add a lighter touch to the action and drama as well as the scenes in Sakaar where the Grandmaster is this oddball man that is ruling a planet yet he’s so weird. The film’s climax in which Thor, Loki, the Hulk, and Valkyrie battle Hela and her army as it does play into Thor’s own insecurities into not living up to his own claim for Asgard’s throne. All of which forces him to unveil his true powers and bring some redemption for his father to save the people of Asgard. Overall, Waititi crafts an exhilarating and evocative film about a god trying to save his people from his evil sister with the help of a few allies.

Cinematographer Javier Aguirresarobe does brilliant work with the film’s cinematography from the colorful exteriors of the scenes in Sakaar and Asgard as well as some of the interiors for the scenes at Dr. Strange’s home and at the palace of Asgard. Editors Joel Negron and Zene Baker do excellent work with the editing as it is stylized with conventional fast-cutting in the action but also use some straightforward cuts for the non-action scenes to establish what is going on. Production designers Dan Hennah and Ra Vincent, with set decorator Beverley Dunn plus art directors Bill Booth, Brendan Heffernan, Richard Hobbs, Alex McCarroll, and Laura Ng, do amazing work with the look of the different worlds from Dr. Strange’s New York home, the places in Asgard, and the coliseum at Sakaar. Costume designer Mayes C. Rubeo does fantastic work with the costumes from the design of the gladiator gear to the clothes that Hela, Valkyrie, and the Grandmaster wear to play into their offbeat personalities.

Hair designer Lucy Vannella and makeup designer Vincenzo Mastrantonio do terrific work with the look of Hela in her hairstyle as well as Thor’s haircut before the gladiator battle and the makeup some of the people at Sakaar wear. Special effects supervisors Brian Cox and R. Bruce Steinheimer, with visual effects supervisors Megan Flood, Jake Morrison, and Stuart White, do incredible work with the visual effects from the look of the Hulk and some of the creatures Thor encounters to the look of the planet that Sutur lives in. Sound designers David Farmer and Shannon Mills, with co-sound editor Daniel Laurie, do superb work with the sound in creating sound effects for some of the action as well as the way the Hulk sounds and some of the objects in the different planets such as the guns at Sakaar.

The film’s music by Mark Motherbaugh is wonderful for its mixture of electronic synth-pop with elements of orchestral bombast as the latter play into some of the adventure and action while the electronic pieces play into the world of Sakaar while music supervisor Dave Jordan provide a soundtrack that is just as offbeat from the usage of Pure Imagination from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory to Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song which makes perfect sense for the film’s action scenes as its lyrics features a lot of Norse mythology that relates to Thor.

The casting by Sarah Finn and Kirsty McGregor is marvelous as it feature some notable small roles and appearances from Clancy Brown as the voice of the fire demon Sutur, the trio of the Warrior Three in Tadanobu Asano as Hogun, Ray Stevenson as Volstagg, and Zachary Levi as Fandral who are among the first to confront Hela at Asgard, Rachel House as the Grandmaster’s bodyguard Topaz, director Taika Waititi as the rock-like gladiator Korg who provides some funny commentary about Thor’s situation, the obligatory Stan Lee cameo as Thor’s barber, and Benedict Cumberbatch in a brief but terrific appearance as Doctor Stephen Strange who helps Thor find the whereabouts of Odin through his own powers. Karl Urban is superb as the Asgardian warrior Skurge who watches over the Biofrost as he becomes a reluctant aide to Hela where he copes with the choices he makes. Anthony Hopkins is fantastic as Odin as Thor and Hela’s father and king of Asgard who deals with his own exile as well as the regrets he made in his life where he ponders what will happen to Thor and Loki upon Hela’s return.

Idris Elba is excellent as Heimdall as the former watcher of the Biofrost who has become a fugitive due to events from the last film as he leads a resistance against Hela where he does whatever he can to help the people of Asgard. Jeff Goldblum is brilliant as the Grandmaster as the odd leader of Sakaar who rules the planet with a mighty fist but also with some eccentric ideas as he cares more about having gladiator shows than cleaning up his dirty planet. Tom Hiddleston is amazing as Loki as Thor’s adopted brother who has been trying to create mischief at Asgard due to Odin’s absence as he deals with the presence of Hela while being very conflicted into helping Thor and Asgard or himself as he also struggles with his own shortcomings. Tessa Thompson is remarkable as Valkyrie as a former Asgardian warrior who had fought with Hela a long time ago as she is reeling from bad memories while unsure if she wants to help Thor in order to find her own redemption. Mark Ruffalo is incredible as the Hulk/Bruce Banner where he appears briefly as Banner as the man who had been lost in the role of the Hulk as he tries to comprehend what has happened to him whereas the Hulk has become a figure that feels loved and appreciated at Sakaar instead of being seen as a monster on Earth.

Cate Blanchett is phenomenal as Hela as Odin’s first-born child who had been his executioner and right-hand woman until her ambitions overwhelm him as this woman that is just pissed off in being exiled as Blanchett provides a bit of camp but also has this air of charisma that makes her so interesting in being one of the best villains in the MCU. Finally, there’s Chris Hemsworth in a sensational performance as Thor as the Norse god who is trying to find answers about the Infinity Stones only to learn about the revelation that he has an evil older sister where he deals with his own shortcomings as Hemsworth displays some humility as well as some great comedic timing that adds to his sense of humility.

Thor: Ragnarok is a spectacular film from Taika Waititi that features great performances from Chris Hemsworth, Cate Blanchett, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson, Jeff Goldblum, Tom Hiddleston, and Anthony Hopkins. Along with its supporting cast, dazzling visuals, killer music soundtrack, and themes on sins and duty. It’s a film that manages to be compelling in its themes while providing moments that are exciting as well as being very funny. In the end, Thor: Ragnarok is a tremendous film from Taika Waititi.

Taika Waititi Films: Two Cars, One Night - Eagle vs. Shark - Boy (2010 film) - What We Do in the Shadows - Hunt for the Wilderpeople - Jojo Rabbit - Next Goal Wins (2023 film) - (Klara and the Sun) - Auteurs #64: Taika Waititi

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Infinity Saga: Phase One: Iron Man - The Incredible Hulk - Iron Man 2 - Thor - Captain America: The First Avenger - The Avengers (2012 film)

Phase Two: Iron Man 3 - Thor: The Dark World - Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Guardians of the Galaxy - The Avengers: Age of Ultron - Ant-Man

Phase Three: Captain America: Civil War - Doctor Strange - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Spider-Man: Homecoming - Black Panther - Avengers: Infinity War - Ant-Man & the Wasp - Captain Marvel - Avengers: Endgame - Captain Marvel - Spider-Man: Far from Home

Post-Infinity Saga: Phase Four: Black Widow (2021 film) - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – Eternals – Spider-Man: No Way Home – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – Thor: Love and Thunder – Werewolf by Night - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

Phase Five: Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – The Marvels – (Deadpool & Wolverine) - (Captain America: Brave New World) - (Thunderbolts*)

Phase 6: The Fantastic Four: First Steps - (Avengers: Doomsday) - (Avengers: Secret Wars)

Related: MCU is Cinema: Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 – Pt. 4 – (Part 5) – (Part 6) – (Part 7) - The MCU: 10 Reasons Why It Rules the World

© thevoid99 2017

Crimson Peak

Directed by Guillermo del Toro and written by del Toro and Matthew Robbins, Crimson Peak is the story of a young woman who marries an aristocrat as she moves into her husband’s mansion as it is filled with ghosts and other things. The film plays into a woman with an interest in the supernatural as she gets more than she bargains for in her new life. Starring Mia Wasikowska, Tom Hiddleston, Jessica Chastain, Charlie Hunnam, and Jim Beaver. Crimson Peak is an entrancing yet eerie film from Guillermo del Toro.

Set in the early 20th Century, the film revolves around a young author who meets a British aristocrat as she falls for him where they later marry where she would live into his decayed mansion with his sister as the home is filled with ghosts and other mysterious things. It’s a film that plays into a young woman who has been fascinated with ghosts since she was a child as she wants to write stories with ghosts. Upon meeting this aristocrat, Edith Cushing (Mia Wasikowska) is intrigued by this man though appearance in clothing and other eccentricities raises the suspicions of her father (Jim Beaver) and family friend Dr. Alan McMichael (Charlie Hunnam). Once she marries Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston) and moves into their home, many mysterious occurs as well as the treatment she is receiving from his sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain).

The film’s screenplay by Guillermo del Toro and Matthew Robbins doesn’t just play into Edith’s fascination with ghosts but also with those that don’t play by conventional behavior or play by certain rules. It’s among the reasons why she would be attracted to someone like Thomas as he wears clothes that are out of style while having ideas that seem to be very radical. While Edith’s father is aware of what Thomas wants, he is suspicious about him and his sister as he asks for some investigation into who the Sharpes are. Upon realizing what they’re up to, things don’t go as they’re planned once Edith marries Thomas where she does question the things that go on in the house as well as other odd things. Thomas and Lucille Sharpe are strange not just for the Gothic clothes they wear but also in the house they live which is decaying and in need of work.

While the two do share ideas of what they want to, Thomas is the kinder of the two where it seems like he is falling for Edith for her money but he becomes more fascinated with her as the story progresses. Lucille however, is a very troubling woman as someone who has a very dark demeanor as she doesn’t seem to like having Edith around where she always gives her tea and pretend to be very kind towards her. Yet, even she knows that Edith knows what they’re probably up to which adds a much darker edge to her character. Once more revelations towards the Sharpe are unveiled, the story definitely becomes more engaging in terms of the drama and the stakes that occur. Though it does deviate from many of the conventions that is expected in horror, del Toro and Robbins do make it more about the setting and the relationship of the characters rather than going for the big scares.

Guillermo del Toro’s direction definitely owes a lot to not just Gothic imagery and set pieces but also mythological elements that explores the idea of ghosts and what they want. While it doesn’t play towards many of the conventions of horror in terms of big scares, del Toro is more concerned with the story as it relates to Edith’s own fascination with ghosts and her need to find more in her somewhat sheltered existence as a writer. Shot largely in Toronto as both Buffalo, New York and as England, the film maintains this look that is quite unique from the sepia-drenched look of Buffalo where everything feels modern and progressing as opposed to the world of the Sharpes which represents the old world that is decaying and trying to catch up with the modern world. The usage of the wide and medium shots gives del Toro the chance to breathe life into these landscapes with some unique tracking shots for many of those exteriors.

For the scenes set in England, del Toro definitely plays up the Gothic tone of the film where he knows how to create suspense as it relates to the ghosts that Edith encounters. It’s mixture of terror and mystery definitely play into the home of the Sharpes where it is a home is surrounded by red mud that is covered in snow and a basement filled with more red mud. The direction would have del Toro create some unique images but also a sense of dread which doesn’t just relate to the Sharpes and their past but also what is happening to Edith. Once the mysteries relating to the Sharpes are unveiled, the film does take on a darker yet more dramatic tone where lots of conflicts would occur as it’s not just about love but also death. Overall, del Toro crafts a mesmerizing yet thrilling film about a young woman’s marriage to an aristocrat and her encounter with dark spirits in the new home she moves into.

Cinematographer Dan Laustsen does phenomenal work with the film‘s ravishing cinematography from its usage of candles to maintain an atmosphere in some of the interior scenes as well as the usage of sepia-drenched colors for many of the scenes set in Buffalo along with the usage of blue at the Sharpes‘ mansion. Editor Bernat Vilaplana does brilliant work with the editing with its stylish usage of transition wipes as well as jump-cuts and other stylish cuts to play into its suspense and drama. Production designer Thomas E. Sanders, with art director Brandt Gordon and set decorators Jeffrey A. Melvin and Shane Vieau, does amazing work with the set design from the home of Edith lived in Buffalo to the many rooms and exterior setting at the Sharpes‘ family home. Costume designer Kate Hawley does excellent work with the clothes from the clothes that the men wear to the gowns that the women wear including the very colorful yet eerie dresses that Lucille wears.

Special effects makeup artists Jason Detheridge, Nacho Diaz, and Neil Morrill do fantastic work with the look of the makeup of some of the gore that occurs in a few characters including the hairstyles that Edith and Lucille sport. Visual effects supervisor Dennis Berardi do excellent work with the visual effects from the design of the ghosts as it has this very eerie yet evocative look to them that is scary but also entrancing. Sound editor Dennis Leonard and sound designer Randy Thom do superb work with the sound in creating some unique sound effects for the ghosts as well as creating some mixing for some of the atmospheric textures for its suspenseful moments. The film’s music by Fernando Velazquez does remarkable work with the music as it is this lush orchestral music that plays into the drama and suspense which features a mixture of string arrangements and piano pieces while music supervisors Peter Afterman and Margaret Yen provide some classical music that Lucille would often play.

The casting by Robin D. Cook does wonderful work with the casting as it features some notable small roles from Leslie Hope as Dr. McMichael’s mother, Emily Coutts as Dr. McMichael’s sister, Burn Gorman as an inspector named Holly that Edith’s father hired to find out about the Sharpes, Sofia Wells as the young Edith, and as ghosts, Doug Jones and Javier Botet who both provide their physical selves for movements of the ghosts. Jim Beaver is excellent as Edith’s father Carter Cushing as a self-made man who is suspicious about the Sharpes’ as he is more concerned for Edith’s safety and happiness as it’s a very engaging performance from the veteran actor. Charlie Hunnam is fantastic as Dr. Alan McMichael as a childhood friend of Edith who knows a lot about bodies and such where he is also suspicious of the Sharpes’ where his investigation about them would have him come to England.

Jessica Chastain is incredible as Lucille Sharpe as this woman who is reluctant about having Edith in her family as it becomes clear that she doesn’t really like her as it’s a performance that is very dark and also quite scary at times where Chastain goes all out towards the film’s third act as it is definitely one of Chastain’s finest performances. Tom Hiddleston is brilliant as Thomas Sharpe as a baronet who falls for Edith as he brings her to England while hoping some of her financial connections could help him with his mining machine as it’s an ambiguous performance which has Hiddleston showing some conflict in his devotion towards Lucille and love for Edith. Finally, there’s Mia Wasikowska in an amazing performance as Edith Cushing as an aspiring writer who falls for the mysterious Thomas Sharpe where she moves into his home and encounter ghosts which only furthers her fascination with them while dealing with the darker aspects of her home as it’s one of Wasikowska’s finest performances.

Crimson Peak is a phenomenal film from Guillermo del Toro. Featuring a great cast, dazzling visuals, a sumptuous score, and an entrancing story. The film is a very unusual yet enthralling one from del Toro that doesn’t play into the conventions of horror while bending all sorts of genres to create something that is very different. In the end, Crimson Peak is a sensational film from Guillermo del Toro.

Guillermo del Toro Films: Cronos - Mimic/Mimic (Director's Cut) - The Devil's Backbone - Blade II - Hellboy - Pan's Labyrinth - Hellboy II: The Golden Army - Pacific Rim - The Shape of Water - Nightmare Alley (2021 film) - Pinocchio (2022 film) - The Auteurs #10: Guillermo del Toro

© thevoid99 2015

Only Lovers Left Alive

Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, Only Lovers Left Alive is the story of two vampire lovers reuniting when one wants to end his eternity as their reunion is shattered by the arrival of one’s sister. The film is a unique take on the vampire story as it plays to the fallacy of eternal life that revolves around a group of vampires who live in a strange world ranging from Tangiers to Detroit. Starring Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston, Mia Wasikowska, Anton Yelchin, Jeffrey Wright, and John Hurt. Only Lovers Left Alive is a compelling and intoxicating film from Jim Jarmusch.

The film explores the lives of two vampire lovers who had lived for countless centuries as they reunite after some time apart as they cope with not just mortality but also the human race. Even as these two lovers in Adam (Tom Hiddleston) and Eve (Tilda Swinton) live in separate worlds where the former lives in Detroit as a reclusive musician and the latter living in Tangier surrounded by books. Adam’s growing dissatisfaction with humanity has him wanting to end his life which Eve senses as she arrives to Detroit to cheer him up only for their renewed romance to be interrupted by Eve’s wild sister Ava (Mia Wasikowska) whom Adam dislikes. It’s a film that explores not just the fallacy of eternity but also in how two vampires who have live their live through influencing humanity only to realize that they have done so little which makes Adam despondent about his role in life.

Jim Jarmusch’s screenplay does use a traditional structure where the first act is set in both Detroit and Tangier to showcase the sense of longing that Adam and Eve have toward one another. Especially as they both have different human contacts where the only person Adam lets into his house is a rock n’ roll kid named Ian (Anton Yelchin) and gets his blood from a mysterious doctor known as Dr. Watson (Jeffrey Wright) whom he pays off. For Eve, she is surrounded by mystical wonders in Tangier as her contact is the famed writer Christopher Marlowe (John Hurt) who is revealed to be a vampire that has faked his death and lives under a different name. The second act is set in Detroit where Adam and Eve reunite as they cope with Adam’s longing to die as well as the beauty that is Detroit with all of its ruined homes and places that once made the city so great.

Ava’s arrival would only create trouble in the film’s second act as it plays to not just Adam’s growing dissatisfaction with humanity but also in the realization that humanity will get worse. The script would play into how Adam and Eve react to humanity where they would see some of its good but also a lot of bad as the latter becomes more evident as their thirst for clean blood becomes more scarce as time goes by. Even as the third act is set in Tangier where the idea of eternal life becomes less evident forcing Adam and Eve to contemplate their own mortality in a world that is rapidly changing.

Jarmusch’s direction is very unique in not just the environments where he sets the film but also in its approach to style. Notably as it involves scenes where the camera is shooting from above as it spins around to play into the sense of mysticism that vampires feel towards one another. Jarmusch’s direction is quite entrancing as the film is shot entirely at night where it plays into this world where vampires are coping with an ever-changing world as Eve surrounds herself with books while Adam is often surrounded by antique musical instruments and other things to connect with what was great about humanity. While a lot of Jarmusch’s compositions are very simple, he manages to do so much in the images he creates while making Tangier and Detroit characters in the film.

Jarmusch also maintains a sense of detachment in his direction where there aren’t a lot of close-ups in favor to showcase Adam and Eve’s observation with the human race in these different places. Especially in the differences between a place like Tangier with all of its beauty and mystique in comparison to the ruins and thrill that is Detroit. Jarmusch’s usage of zoom lenses and keeping things simple add to the sense of detachment and observation that looms over Adam and Eve while the scenes involving Ava are shown with a sense of danger as she is a character who is out of control and unpredictable like humanity itself. Once the film returns to Tangier, it becomes much more melancholic in the sense of uncertainty into whether Adam and Eve should continue or just fade away like the things they held on to for so many centuries. Overall, Jarmusch creates a very eerie yet evocative film about vampire lovers dealing with the fallacy of eternity.

Cinematographer Yorick Le Saux does amazing work with the film‘s cinematography from its use of dreamy lighting schemes for many of the film‘s exterior settings along with more low-key lights and shades for some of the interior scenes. Editor Affonso Goncalves does brilliant work in the editing with its stylish usage of dissolves and jump-cuts to play into the mystique and the dream-like world of Adam and Eve. Production designer Marco Bittner Rosser, with art director Anja Fromm and set decorators Christiane Krumwiede and Malte Nitsche, does fantastic work with the different homes of Adam and Eve where the latter is filled with antique instruments and vinyl while the latter is filled with lots of books. Costume designer Bina Daigeler does excellent work with the costumes from the white clothes of Eve to the dark clothes of Adam as well as the more stylish clothes that Ava wears.

Special effects makeup artist Joanna Koch and hair designer Gerd Zeiss do superb work with the look of the characters from the hair that Eve and Ava wear as well as the vampire fangs whenever they‘re thirsty for blood. Visual effects supervisor Malte Sarnes does nice work with the minimal visual effects that only involve the speediness of the vampires. Sound designer Robert Hein does terrific work with the sound from the way some of the locations sounds to the mixing in how records are played as well as the entrancing textures that looms into Adam and Eve in their surroundings. The film’s music by Jozef van Wissem is great as it features this very ominous use of the lute instrument to play into the world of Tangier while the score also features cuts from Jarmusch’s band SQURL that features vocals from Zola Jesus and Yasmine Hamdan that is mostly dense and drone-based music. The music soundtrack also features an array of music from Wanda Jackson, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, White Hills, Bill Laswell, Charlie Feathers, and other music ranging from soul to Middle Eastern music.

The casting by Ellen Lewis is incredible as it features appearances from Yasmine Hamdan and the band White Hills plus a terrific small role from Slimane Dazi as Marlowe’s human assistant Bilal. Jeffrey Wright is excellent as Dr. Watson as the medical doctor who is Adam’s blood supplier who never asks questions while Anton Yelchin is fantastic as Adam’s rock n’ roll friend Ian who often does duties for Adam and his only real contact with the outside world that Adam grows to despise. John Hurt is brilliant as the writer Christopher Marlowe who is Eve’s supplier/mentor as he is an observer that had seen everything while dealing with the ever-changing world. Mia Wasikowska is amazing as Eve’s sister Ava who arrives unexpectedly as she likes to cause trouble and often drinks Adam and Eve’s blood supply to quench her thirst.

Finally, there’s Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton in magnificent performances in their respective roles as Adam and Eve. Hiddleston brings in this very reserved approach in his performance to display his discontent with humanity and the modern world while thinking his time might be up. Swinton has a more entrancing quality to her role as someone who lives in the moment as she is often amazed by her surroundings while being aware of how scarce good blood is becoming. Hiddleston and Swinton have this electrifying chemistry that play into their own observation with the world as well as with death as they bring in some humor and a heavy sense of drama to their performances.

Only Lovers Left Alive is a remarkable film from Jim Jarmusch that features great performances from Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton. The film is definitely an unconventional take on the vampire lore while injecting back some bite to the genre that is needed following a period of vampire stories that lack bite. Even as it plays to their own encounter with a modern world that becomes less interesting in its exploration of eternity. In the end, Only Lovers Left Alive is a ravishing yet tremendously rich film from Jim Jarmusch.

Jim Jarmusch Films: Permanent Vacation - Stranger than Paradise - Down by Law - Mystery Train - Night on Earth - Dead Man - Year of the Horse - Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai - Coffee & Cigarettes - Broken Flowers - The Limits of Control - Paterson - Gimme Danger - (The Dead Don't Die) - The Auteurs #27: Jim Jarmusch

© thevoid99 2014

Thor: The Dark World

Based on the comics by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Larry Lieber, Thor: The Dark World is the story about Thor facing an ancient enemy who threatens to destroy his home planet of Asgard following a chilling discovery from Jane Foster that would threaten everything. Directed by Alan Taylor and screenplay by Christopher Yost, Christopher Markus, and Stephen McFeeley from a screen story by Don Payne and Robert Rodat. The film is a sequel to 2011’s Thor where the titular character deals with new enemies and the responsibility of taking over the throne of Asgard from his father Odin as Chris Hemsworth reprises the role of Thor. Also starring Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgard, Rene Russo, Idris Elba, Jaimie Alexander, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Chris O’Dowd, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano, and Anthony Hopkins as Odin. Thor: The Dark World is a sensational yet entertaining film from Alan Taylor.

The film is about an ancient enemy known as Dark Elves who suddenly find themselves returning after Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) discovered some portals that led her to a world where a dark mystical power was seeped into her. When Thor learns about what Jane discovered, he takes her back to Asgard so that his father King Odin can see if he can help only to realize that the Dark Elves led by Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) is only keen on destroying the universe after being nearly wiped away by Odin’s father Bor (Tony Curran). What the film does is have Thor take risks in not just saving his planet and Jane but also the universe where he realizes that he has to do things that his father wouldn’t do that would include getting the help from his estranged adopted brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston).

The film’s screenplay does take its time to showcase Thor’s growth into this warrior who definitely seems more grounded in the previous film as he becomes a much more mature individual who is also quite witty but still longs for Jane. When Heimdall (Idris Elba) tells Thor that he couldn’t see Jane, it has Thor trying to figure what is happening to her while there’s something far more sinister that is happening just as all nine realms are to line up for this event known as the Convergence where all portals from the nine realms are to open. With Malekith re-awaken, he decides to use this moment as well as Jane’s discovery of the dark power known as Aether to rebuild the world of the Dark Elves and regain darkness back to the universe. While the script does have a lot of exposition that occurs in order to make sense of the film’s plot. The script does manage to showcase a lot of the other characters such as Thor’s mother Frigga (Rene Russo) who is an important link to Thor’s relationship with Loki.

There’s also some comical moments that occur that includes Jane’s mentor Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard) going crazy as he’s still recovering from the events that occurred in The Avengers prompting Jane’s intern Darcy (Kat Dennings) and Darcy’s intern Ian (Jonathan Howard) to get Selvig who makes a discovery about the Convergence. It would lead to some very intense moments that mixes action and humor where there’s a showdown between Thor and Malekith in London that also involves the Dark Elves and portals. Notably as it’s Thor trying to do whatever he can to just save the world and realizes the kind of attributes that he needs to succeed his father as King of Asgard.

Alan Taylor’s direction is definitely sprawling in terms of the set pieces that is created as it is a film that is big but also some intimate moments. Notably as Taylor makes sure that many of the visual effects and large set pieces don’t overwhelm the story. Even as Taylor does create some intimate moments that takes place in London where Jane tries to deal with her feelings for Thor as well as the scientific discovery that she and Darcy make that would lead to Jane being teleported into another world that has her discovering the Aether. The scenes in London are very simple with Taylor going for something straightforward but also add some comedy into the mix.

The scenes set in the Dark Elves’ planet as well as other places outside of Asgard is shot in Iceland where it has this very desolate world that is a total representation that Malekith wants. Especially that is sharp contrast to the more sprawling and regal world that is Asgard that Thor wants to protect as he isn’t just concerned for its people that he cares for but also everything his father and grandfather had fought for. Even as he has to get Loki to help him in the hopes as Thor can re-forge the bond that he had with the man whom he had called brother. Most notably as it leads to this massive climax where Taylor knows how to mix humor and action into the mix. Overall, Taylor creates a very extravagant yet exciting film about a hero taking more risks in what to do to save the world.

Cinematographer Kramer Morgenthau does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography from the straightforward look for the scenes in London to some of the more eerie lighting schemes for the scenes set at the Dark Elves‘ old home planet. Editors Dan Lebental and Wyatt Smith do terrific work with the editing by using some fast, rhythmic cuts for some of the film‘s action and humor while slowing down for the dramatic moments. Production designer Charles Wood, with supervising art director Ray Chan and set decorators Gueni Lindal Benediktsson and John Bush, does fantastic work with the set pieces from the look of Asgard as well as the design of the Dark Elves ship that would bring terror to Earth and Asgard.

Costume designer Wendy Partridge does amazing work with a lot of the costumes for the scenes set in Asgard as it has this mixture of old medieval look that Thor and his people wear. Makeup designer Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou does brilliant work with some of the makeup including the look of Malekith. Visual effects supervisor Mark Breakspear does nice work with the visual effects for some of scenes set in space as well as some of the exteriors of Asgard. Sound designer Will Files and Shannon Mills do superb work with the sound to create some unique sound effects as well as play into some of the chaos that goes in the fight scenes. The film’s music by Brian Tyler is wonderful for its orchestral bombast to play into some of the film’s action and suspense as well in some of the more somber pieces for the dramatic moments.

The casting by Sarah Finn does marvelous work with the casting as it includes some notable small roles from Tony Curran in a prologue scene as Odin’s father Bor, Alice Krige as an Asgardian physician, Chris O’Dowd as a man Jane meets early in the film for a lunch date, Jonathan Howard as Darcy’s intern Ian, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Malekith’s lieutenant Algrim who causes havoc in Asgard. The casting also features some pretty funny cameos such as Stan Lee as a mental ward patient and Chris Evans as Loki pretending to be Captain America. As the members of the Warrior Three, Ray Winstone, Tadanobu Asano, and Zachary Levi are all terrific in their respective roles as Volstagg, Hogun, and Fandral with Winstone and Levi providing some humor. Jaimie Alexander is wonderful as Thor’s friend Sif who aids Thor while dealing with the presence of Jane Foster as she also has feelings for Thor.

Rene Russo is fantastic as Frigga as Thor’s mother who ensures that Loki stays alive following his actions in The Avengers as she becomes a key crucial point in the film for Thor and Loki as she also proves to be a total badass. Stellan Skarsgard is excellent as Dr. Erik Selvig who is still trying to deal with the post-traumatic stress of the events in The Avengers where he makes a big discovery while doing some funny things that involve him not wearing pants. Kat Dennings is hilarious as Jane’s intern Darcy as she not only has some of the film’s funny one-liners but also does things to help ensure that Thor’s plan to stop Malekith would work in some funny results. Idris Elba is incredible as Heimdall as the watcher of the Nine Realms who realizes the magnitude of the situation as he helps Thor out in defeating the Dark Elves. Christopher Eccleston is amazing as Malekith as this very dark individual who seeks revenge for what happened to him and his people as he does whatever it takes to take Thor down.

Anthony Hopkins is great as Odin where he’s still a bit of a cantankerous old man but also tones it down a bit as he still struggles to balance his role as king and father while aware of what Thor is trying to do. Tom Hiddleston is awesome as Loki as Thor’s adopted brother as a man who is slimy but fun as he helps Thor out in dealing with Malekith as well as trying to find something that he can gain. Natalie Portman is superb as Jane Foster as she does more than in the previous film as young woman who makes a chilling discovery while trying to deal with all of the chaos as well as finding ways to help save the world. Finally, there’s Chris Hemsworth in a remarkable performance as Thor as Hemsworth brings some humor to the role that is quite low-key but also a humility as a man who still questions his worth to become a king as it helps make Thor more engaging proving that Hemsworth is right for the part.

Thor: The Dark World is an excellent film from Alan Taylor that features brilliant performances from Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, and Tom Hiddleston. The film isn’t just a much looser and more entertaining film than its predecessor but allows the audience to be engaged by its protagonist as well as find ways that makes him relatable. In the end, Thor: The Dark World is a extraordinarily broad yet stellar film from Alan Taylor.

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Infinity Saga: Phase One Films: Iron Man - The Incredible Hulk - Iron Man 2 - Thor - Captain America: The First Avenger - The Avengers

Marvel Phase Two Films: Iron Man 3 - Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Guardians of the Galaxy - The Avengers: Age of Ultron - Ant-Man

Marvel Phase Three Films: Captain America: Civil War - Doctor Strange - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Spider-Man: Homecoming - Thor: Ragnarok - Black Panther - Avengers: Infinity War - Ant-Man & the Wasp - Captain Marvel - Avengers: Endgame - Captain Marvel - Spider-Man: Far from Home

Multiverse Saga: Phase Four: Black Widow (2021 film) - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – Eternals – Spider-Man: No Way Home – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – Thor: Love and Thunder – Werewolf by Night - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

Phase Five: Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – The Marvels – (Deadpool & Wolverine) - (Captain America: Brave New World) - (Thunderbolts*)

Phase 6: The Fantastic Four: First Steps - (Avengers: Doomsday) - (Avengers: Secret Wars)

Related: MCU is Cinema: Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 – Pt. 4 – (Part 5) – (Part 6) – (Part 7) - The MCU: 10 Reasons Why It Rules the World

© thevoid99 2013

The Avengers (2012 film)

Based on the comic book by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, The Avengers is the story of a group of different superheroes and assassins who team up to fight against an evil force that is threatening Earth’s existence. Written and directed by Joss Whedon from a screen story co-written with Zak Penn, the film is about the formation of the Avengers as they have to fight Thor’s brother Loki who decides to bring destruction to Earth. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, Cobie Smulders, Clark Gregg, and Samuel L. Jackson. The Avengers is a sprawling yet magnificent film from Joss Whedon.

After recovering a mysterious cube known as the Tesseract that is to hold unlimited power, S.H.I.E.L.D. head Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) asks Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard) to uncover its source as things start to get troubling during the experiment as Loki (Tom Hiddleston) emerges from another planet. After taking control of the minds of Selvig and top assassin Clint “Hawkeye” Barton (Jeremy Renner), Fury and his assistant Agent Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders) decide to gather a team to stop Loki. Among them is assassin Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) who is asked to convince Dr. Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) to help Fury out while Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) asks Tony Stark aka Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) to help out. Another person joining the team is Steve Rogers aka Captain America (Chris Evans) who is still dealing with being frozen for seventy years as Fury reveals what he has to do.

When Loki emerges in Germany to let the world know what he’s doing while Barton steals a power source to stabilize the Tesseract’s power, he is confronted by Captain America and later Iron Man as they capture him. Yet, Loki’s adopted older brother Thor (Chris Hemsworth) arrives to have Loki return home to Asgard for his actions as a fight between Thor, Iron Man, and Captain America nearly ruins everything. With Loki imprisoned in the S.H.I.E.L.D. flying aircraft carrier, the team try to figure out what Loki is up to as motives start to cause dissension in the group. Yet, Loki’s mind games would eventually lead to his escape thanks to the mind-controlled Barton as things go out of control where Banner turns into the Hulk. Despite saving the aircraft carrier from further damage, Loki escapes as the team tries to regroup with Barton out of Loki’s control. With Stark realizing what Loki wants to do and where, the whole team decides to form the Avengers to fight off Loki and an army of alien creatures known as Chitauri.

The film is the story of how the Avengers is formed as this team of heroes who are asked to save the Earth from any kind of huge threat. Yet, it’s not just these evil alien forces they have to deal with. They also have to deal with each other as these six individuals are the last group of people who all should be part of a team. There’s two very skilled assassins that both try to maintain their emotions as neither of them have any superpowers. There’s a demigod from another planet who carries a mighty hammer and can unleash powers of thunder from that hammer. There’s an old-school hero from World War II with amazing strength and an idealism who is confused and lost in the modern world. There’s an arrogant playboy billionaire who sports a mechanical super-suit that is powered by an arc reactor near his heart. And then you have this mild-mannered doctor who turns into a huge green monster whenever he gets mad.

Writer/director Joss Whedon understands that these characters, who are all quite flawed, shouldn’t be in the same team due to their egos, emotional baggage, or idealism that sets the apart. When they’re in a corner and realize they have to fight something, they can put all of that aside and kick some ass. Whedon understands who these characters as he gives each of them a chance to display their skills and who they are as people. Meanwhile, there’s these supporting characters like Agents Coulson and Hill who are very different parts of the S.H.I.E.L.D. team as they’re quite skilled at what they do. Coulson and Hill each have different ideas but they do play part of this team that provides additional support for the Avengers. Leading all of this is Nick Fury who is hoping to save the world though he is just as complicated as he believes that the Tesseract cube will help humanity fend off against whatever intergalactic threat that might happen.

This cube that represents unlimited power would end up causing all sorts of trouble as it leads to the arrival of Loki. Loki is presented as much more vengeful villain who wants to rule the world and become king after feeling slighted and overshadowed by his older adopted brother Thor. He would team up with a much darker force led by a conqueror named the Other (Alexis Denisof) who wants the power of the Tesseract and have Loki control his army of aliens. This would add a lot of trouble to the Avengers as Loki is this very manipulative and cunning individual who can get into anyone’s mind while he also adds further complications to this very dysfunctional team of heroes. Notably Thor as he still cares for his adopted brother and just wants to bring him to justice at their home planet.

Whedon’s script succeeds in not just fleshing out the characters and their motivations but also manages to create a story that does more than what is expected in the superhero genre. There’s a lot of action moments that is balanced by simple yet engaging drama as Whedon wants to know how these people can try and get along while figuring out what to do. A lot of the film’s second act following Loki’s capture has a team trying to get know each other where not everything is working. Steve Rogers is trying to deal with the cocky Tony Stark. Natasha Romanoff tries to confront Loki about what happened to Clint where she nearly becomes this emotional mess once he uncovers her dark past. There’s Thor dealing with Loki as he tries to assure Fury that the Tesseract is something not to be trifled with. Then there’s Banner who is trying to maintain a low profile so he wouldn’t unleash the Hulk.

Through the script, there’s a lot of humorous dialogue that is part of Whedon’s trademark that allows the film to not take itself so seriously. Notably as a lot of the humor comes from the arrogant Stark while characters like Rogers, Romanoff, Barton, and Banner do each get to spout a few funny one-liners in some of the film’s battles. Particularly the final one where the Avengers have to face off Loki and the Chitauri as each character has something funny to say about their situation.

Whedon’s superb script allows him to create a film that is big and not afraid to say exactly what it is. At the same time, the direction of the film is filled with spectacular set pieces and action sequences that allows itself to standout on its own. While the audience can easily figure out who these characters are without needing to see the other films that preceded it. Whedon does create moments where the characters are properly introduced including the first scene where Loki talks with the Other about their plans. Other introduction scenes for the characters that form the Avengers has Whedon giving the audience a chance to get know these characters and what they do.

The more dramatic moments where the characters interact with each other or try to figure out what to do has Whedon framing them in a simple yet direct manner where it’s all about the conversation and what is happening. The camera is still as Whedon knows to just play things out while creating movements to help intensify the drama in order to build up the suspense of what is to come. When it comes for the big action scenes, Whedon knows to keep up with the rhythm of these hits and explosions without delving into more conventional action film territory as he would have brief moments for the characters to catch their breath. Particularly for the sprawling yet operatic final battle between the Avengers and Loki with the Chitauri as it’s all about the excitement and intensity to fight for the world. Overall, Whedon does a truly phenomenal job with the film that truly lives up to the hype as what a superhero film should be and more.

Cinematographer Seamus McGarvey does an excellent job with the film‘s cinematography from the more low-key intimate lighting on some of the film‘s interior settings inside the aircraft and a scene in India and Russia to some wonderful exterior shots outside of the aircraft and some scenes in New York City for the film‘s big battle. Editors Jeffrey Ford and Lisa Lassek do superb work with the editing by maintaining a leisured pace for the film while knowing when to utilize more straightforward cuts to play out the drama as well as more rhythmic cuts for the film’s action scenes.

Production designer James Chinlund, with set decorator Victor J. Zolfo and art director Richard L. Johnson, does amazing work with the set pieces such as the look of the Hellicarrier and its interiors along with the design for Starks tower and the computers used for both sets. Costume designer Alexandra Byrne does terrific work with the costumes from the leather costumes of Hawkeye and Black Widow to a more updated uniform for Captain America plus a more regal look for Loki. Visual effects supervisors Erik Nash, Janek Sirrs, Colin and Greg Strause, and Guy Williams do brilliant work with the visual effects where there‘s a more realistic look to the look of the Chitauri aliens and their big creatures to the look of the Hulk that is more menacing but also more human. Sound designer Christopher Boyes and sound editor Frank E. Eulner do incredible work with the sound to play up the intensity of the action scenes with its clanging objects and gunfire along with more intimate sets for some of the film’s dramatic moments.

The film’s score by Alan Silvestre is truly a spectacle for the orchestral themes to play up some of the film‘s action scenes with swelling arrangements that is bombastic in its delivery as well as some of the drama that occurs in these action scenes. Music supervisor Dave Jordan provides a soundtrack that is true to its bombast as it includes a couple of rock cuts from AC/DC and a new song by Soundgarden to play up the energy of the film.

The casting by Sarah Finn and Randi Hiller is truly outstanding for the ensemble that is created for this film as it includes some notable cameos from comic book creator Stan Lee, Harry Dean Stanton as a security guard, Ashley Johnson as a waitress, Jerzy Skolimowski as a Russian mobster Natasha tries to deal with, Paul Bettany as the voice of Tony’s computer JARVIS, and Gwyneth Paltrow as Tony’s girlfriend Pepper Potts. Other noteworthy small roles include Powers Boothe and Jenny Agutter as members of a World Council that Nick Fury tries to deal with, Alexis Denisof as the villainous Chitauri leader the Other, and Stellan Skarsgard as professor Erik Selvig.

Clark Gregg is excellent as Agent Phil Coulson who is proven to be a huge fan of Captain America as well as brave agent. Cobie Smulder is wonderful as Agent Maria Hill who is proven to be a very tough agent who can also take care of things for Fury. Samuel L. Jackson is superb as Nick Fury who tries to get everyone under control while trying to hide his motives for the Tesseract only to realize that it might not be a good idea after all. Tom Hiddleston is great as the vengeful Loki who wants to overshadow Thor while wanting to take over the world and wreak havoc as it’s very slimy character as Hiddleston makes Loki fun to watch.

Finally, there’s the role of the Avengers themselves as all of them give out fantastic performances. Chris Hemsworth brings a much more grounded performance as Thor as a demigod trying to deal with his brother as well as trying to inform everyone about the Tesseract as Hemsworth also has funny moments involving the Hulk. While the character of Hawkeye is more low-key as spends about half of the film in control of Loki, Jeremy Renner brings a cool approach to his character as well as being someone not to be messed with as he becomes more determined once he is out of Loki’s control as it’s a remarkable performance. Chris Evans brings a lot of wit and charisma to his role as Captain America as he tries to deal with his new surroundings while becoming the guy that can rally a team once a battle is about to happen.

Robert Downey Jr. is incredible as Tony Stark/Iron Man by maintaining the swagger that Stark brings as Downey also provides lots of humor into his character that irks some of the team but it’s a truly a performance to enjoy watching. In what is her best performance since Girl with a Pearl Earring, Scarlett Johansson brings a real sense of charm and restraint to the role of Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow as she tries to deal with her own emotions relating to Hawkeye while providing some witty lines for some of the film’s battle scenes while proving to be someone not to mess with.

Finally, there’s Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Hulk where Ruffalo finally gives both characters what they needed. As Banner, Ruffalo brings a laid-back approach to his character as someone that just wants to work and not cause trouble as he has some great banter with Downey’s Stark character. When he’s the Hulk, all hell breaks loose as the character is far more dangerous but also very funny as Lou Ferrigno’s voice gets a chance for the Hulk to say a very funny line. Ruffalo is the true scene-stealer as he definitely makes Banner and the Hulk into exciting characters that is finally given the presentation it deserves.

The Avengers is a truly awesome and very entertaining film from Joss Whedon. Thanks to a very remarkable ensemble cast that includes Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston, and Samuel L. Jackson. It’s a film that truly defines the idea of what a summer blockbuster action film should be as it does more than just entertain. It’s got a lot of humor, lot of action scenes to cheer for, and characters to root for. In the end, The Avengers is a marvelous superhero film from Joss Whedon.

Joss Whedon Films: Serenity - Much Ado About Nothing (2012 film) - Justice League

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Infinity Saga: Phase One Films: Iron Man - Iron Man 2 - The Incredible Hulk - Thor - Captain America: The First Avenger

Marvel Phase 2 Films: Iron Man 3 - Thor: The Dark World - Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Guardians of the Galaxy - The Avengers: Age of Ultron - Ant Man

Marvel Phase Three Films: Captain America: Civil War - Doctor Strange - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Spider-Man: Homecoming - Thor: Ragnarok - Black Panther - Avengers: Infinity War - Ant-Man & the Wasp - Captain Marvel - Avengers: Endgame - Captain Marvel - Spider-Man: Far from Home

Multiverse Saga: Phase Four: Black Widow (2021 film) - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – Eternals – Spider-Man: No Way Home – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – Thor: Love and Thunder – Werewolf by Night - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

Phase Five: Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – The Marvels – (Deadpool & Wolverine) - (Captain America: Brave New World) - (Thunderbolts*)

Phase 6: The Fantastic Four: First Steps - (Avengers: Doomsday) - (Avengers: Secret Wars)

Related: MCU is Cinema: Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 – Pt. 4 – (Part 5) – (Part 6) – (Part 7) - The MCU: 10 Reasons Why It Rules the World

© thevoid99 2012

Thor (2011 film)

Based on the Marvel comic by Stan Lee, Larry Leiber, and Jack Kirby, Thor is the story of a demigod who has been banished by his home planet as he lands on Earth. Falling for a scientist while learning that his brother is taking over his home planet, Thor has to return to reclaim his power. Directed by Kenneth Branagh and screenplay by Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz, and Don Payne from a screen story by J. Michael Straczynski and Mark Protosevich. The film is an origin story of how Thor came to power as he’s played by newcomer Chris Hemsworth. Also starring Natalie Portman, Stellan Skarsgard, Kat Dennings, Rene Russo, Tom Hiddleston, Ray Stevenson, Jaime Alexander, Idris Elba, and Anthony Hopkins as Odin, with special appearances from Clark Gregg, Jeremy Renner, and Samuel L. Jackson. Thor is a big and bombastically entertaining film from Kenneth Branagh.

After a war with the Frost Giants led by Laufey (Colm Feore) that led to the victory of Odin and the Asgardians where they claim the Giants’ source power in the Casket of Ancient Winters. An uneasy truce was made for many years as Odin is set to give his throne to his son Thor, a break-in for the Casket by a few Frost Giants failed as Odin thinks it’s just nothing. Thor however, thinks it’s an attempt to break peace as he decides to defy his father’s orders as he along with his younger brother Loki, their friend Sif (Jaime Alexander) and the Warriors Three in Volstagg (Ray Stevenson), Fandral (Joshua Dallas), and Hogun (Tadanobu Asano) go to Jotunheim to confront Laufey and the Frost Giants leading to a battle. After Odin arrives to stop the battle and save his sons and friends, he decides to banish Thor from Asgard and strip his powers from him.

Thor suddenly lands in the planet Earth as he is discovered by an astrophysicist named Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), her assistant Darcy (Kat Dennings), and their mentor Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard) who take him to a hospital unaware of who he is. After some complications where his hammer has gotten the attention of S.H.I.E.L.D. and its leader Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg), Thor hopes to retrieve it as he tells Jane about what he is. After an attempt to retrieve the hammer where Thor was unable to pull it out of its stone, Thor is taken by S.H.I.E.L.D. where he gets a visit from Loki claiming that Odin has died. With Thor accepting his fate, he is retrieved by Selvig who discovers that Thor might actually be the legend he had read as a child.

Back in Asgard, Odin has fallen into deep sleep where Loki learns about his true parentage as he takes over the kingdom of Asgard where Sif and the Warriors Three suspect something is wrong. Wanting to get Thor back to Earth, they convince the gatekeeper Heimdall (Idris Elba) to transport them to Earth as he is aware of Loki’s dark rule. With Sif and the Warriors Three arriving at Earth to convince Thor to return to Asgard, they all deal with the Destroyer that Loki sends forcing Thor to do something that is unexpected of him in order to deal with his brother.

The film is essentially an origin story of how Thor came to be what he is through his father’s rule and then be banished for his arrogance only to learn about what he must do to save both Asgard and Earth from evil forces. During the course of the story, Thor reveals the world that he lives in to this astrophysicist who has been trying to uncover the mysteries of the universe where the two fall for each other. Still, there’s the matter of what his brother is doing as he starts off as this very quiet and innocent individual who always felt being in his brother’s shadow only to learn about his true parentage. This discovery would crucial to Loki’s development as he becomes an antagonist to Thor much to Thor’s dismay as he loved and cared for his brother.

The screenplay is a by-the-books kind of story in terms of what is expected in an origin story involving superheroes. Still, it has moments of character development for both Thor and Loki where they each would have an understanding of who they are. Notably the former who is this demigod with amazing powers where once he arrives to Earth. He’s still a strong and powerful man but is forced to realize that he can become human as well giving him the chance to understand things that his father had been trying to tell him. It’s a very good script that does what is needed to do as well as provide some substance to some of the characters in the film.

Kenneth Branagh’s direction is definitely ambitious in terms of the way he presents Asgard as this bombastic yet beautiful planet while going for a more straightforward look for the scenes in New Mexico. Branagh opens with the film with Jane and her team trying to find something that leads to them to discover Thor. It is followed by the origin story of how Odin lost his right eye during the war with the Frost Giants as he tells that story to a young Thor and Loki including the importance of the Casket. The rest of the film does become this very vast and interesting origin story that features some wonderful compositions including slanted camera shots. Branagh wisely avoids some of its tropes like fast-cuts and overwhelming the film with lots of action sequences. Instead, he allows the story to play out with bits of humor drama while balancing with some exciting action scenes. Overall, Branagh creates a very enjoyable action-blockbuster that does a lot for what is expected and more.

Cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos does nice work with the film‘s cinematography from the dark setting of Jotunheim to the more colorful yet stylish camera work for the scenes in New Mexico. Editor Paul Rubell does excellent work with the editing to help establish some of the action that is happening while playing up to some of the film’s humor as it’s tightly-paced for what is expected in a comic-book film. Production designer Bo Welch, with set decorator Lauri Gaffin and supervising art director Maya Shimoguchi, does amazing work with the set pieces for the Asgard palace and halls while going for a more low-key approach in the base that surrounds Thor‘s hammer along with some wonderful sets for the New Mexico small town that Jane lives in.

Costume designer Alexandra Byrne does very good work with the costumes from the armor and regal look that the Asgardian characters wear to the more casual clothing of Earth that Thor later sports. Visual effects supervisor Wesley Sewell does superb with the visual effects such as some of the exterior set pieces for the Asgardian palace and the bridge that connects them to the Bifrost transporter along with the effects for the Destroyer in the film’s New Mexico battle scene. Sound designers Michael Babcock and Richard King do terrific work with the sound work from the spectacle of the action scenes with its explosions and clanging objects to the tense atmosphere that occurs in Coulson’s interrogation for Thor. The film’s score by Patrick Doyle is brilliant for its orchestral bombast and sweeping arrangements to play up the action and drama that occurs as it’s a very thrilling score by Doyle.

The casting by Sarah Finn and Randi Hiller do amazing work with assembling the film’s ensemble cast that includes notable small appearances from Dakota Goyo and Ted Allpress in their respective roles as the young Thor and Loki, Clark Gregg as Agent Coulson, Rene Russo as Thor’s mother Frigga, and cameo appearances from Stan Lee as a truck driver, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. Other small roles include Tadanobu Hogun and Joshua Dallas in their respective roles as Warriors Three members Hogun and Fandral while Ray Stevenson is funny as the big and gluttonous Volstagg. Colm Feore is pretty good as the villainous Laufey who despises Odin while Idris Elba is excellent as the very wise gatekeeper Heimdall. Jaime Alexander is wonderful as Thor’s close friend Sif who is proven to be a very able warrior while Kat Dennings is hilarious as Jane’s assistant Darcy.

Stellan Skarsgard is superb as Jane’s mentor Dr. Erik Selvig who is intrigued by Thor as he reminds him of a children’s book he read years ago. Anthony Hopkins is great as Thor’s father Odin who is overwhelmed with Thor’s arrogance as well as keeping a secret about Loki’s true roots. The film’s big breakthrough is Tom Hiddleston in the role of Loki where Hiddleston brings a wonderful restraint to a man living in his brother’s shadow only to become a more intense character as he suddenly starts to take over. Natalie Portman is terrific as Jane Foster by exemplifying her intelligence and determination to discover Thor’s background while there’s also a bit of subtle humor to the way she is smitten with Thor.  Finally, there’s Chris Hemsworth in a phenomenal performance as the titular character as he displays wonderful charisma as well as sense of humility to make his character more human as it’s a true star-making performance for the young actor.

Thor is a fun action-blockbuster from Kenneth Branagh that features top-notch work from Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston. Armed with a strong supporting cast and an engaging story, it is a film that does what is needed to do to entertain but also has some substance to make it more worthwhile. Notably as it involves some crucial development for Thor and Loki as they’re set to face off again in The Avengers. In the end, Thor is a stellar  film from Kenneth Branagh.

Kenneth Branagh Films: (Henry V (1989 film)) - (Dead Again) - (Swan Song) - (Peter‘s Friends) - (Much Ado About Nothing (1993 film)) - (Frankenstein (1994 film)) - (A Midwinter’s Tale (1995 film)) - (Hamlet (1996 film)) - (Love’s Labour Lost (2000 film)) - (Listening) - (As You Like It (2006 TV film)) - (The Magic Flute (2006 film)) - (Sleuth (2007 film)) - (Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit) - Cinderella (2015 film) - (Murder on the Orient Express (2017 film))

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Infinity Saga: Phase One Films: Iron Man - The Incredible Hulk - Iron Man 2 - Captain America: The First Avenger - The Avengers (2012 film)

Marvel Phase Two Films: Iron Man 3 - Thor: The Dark World - Captain America: The Winter Soldier - Guardians of the Galaxy - The Avengers: The Age of Ultron - Ant Man

Marvel Phase Three Films: Captain America: Civil War - Doctor Strange - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - Spider-Man: Homecoming - Thor: Ragnarok - Black Panther - Avengers: Infinity War - Ant-Man & the Wasp - Captain Marvel - Avengers: Endgame - Captain Marvel - Spider-Man: Far from Home

Multiverse Saga: Phase Four: Black Widow (2021 film) - Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – Eternals – Spider-Man: No Way Home – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – Thor: Love and Thunder – Werewolf by Night - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever - The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

Phase Five: Ant-Man & the Wasp: Quantumania - Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 – The Marvels – (Deadpool & Wolverine) - (Captain America: Brave New World) - (Thunderbolts*)

Phase 6: The Fantastic Four: First Steps - (Avengers: Doomsday) - (Avengers: Secret Wars)

Related: MCU is Cinema: Pt. 1 - Pt. 2 - Pt. 3 – Pt. 4 – (Part 5) – (Part 6) – (Part 7) - The MCU: 10 Reasons Why It Rules the World

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