Thor Blu-ray Review

The 1080p Blu-ray transfer of "Thor" is an impressive effort that, while not achieving absolute visual perfection, comes remarkably close. The film's three distinct locales—Asgard, Jotunheim, and New Mexico—each showcase a strong visual flair. In Asgard, the warm golden hues create a stunning visual experience, even though flesh tones occasionally run together. Jotunheim’s frigid landscape suffers from some overemphasis on blue tones that can lead to a lack of definition in backgrounds, but still maintains respectable shadow detail. New Mexico's bright and clear landscape offers pristine imagery with unbeatable skin textures and perfect color balance. Despite a few minor instances of banding and moments where natural depth seems lacking, the transfer's light layer of natural grain enhances the overall image quality, making it a strong 1080p presentation.

From a technical perspective, the video presentation stands out due to its commendable color clarity, breathtaking detail, and decent black levels, which contribute to an immersive viewing experience. The transfer is free from artifacts, banding, aliasing, and any digital tampering, ensuring a seamless visual journey whether viewers are exploring the divine realm of Asgard or the earthly desert of New Mexico. There are areas where the film's computer graphics and aesthetic choices might detract slightly from its visual integrity; for instance, Asgard can appear soft in some shots and Jotunheim's extreme cold setting occasionally results in skin tones and eye whites appearing unnaturally blue. Nevertheless, these issues are minor and do not significantly detract from the overall visual grandeur of the film. Although it may fall short of being a demo-worthy release, "Thor" maintains high-quality visuals that will satisfy most viewers.

Paramount's Blu-ray release of "Thor" offers an overwhelmingly powerful DTS-HD MA 7.1 lossless soundtrack. The track demonstrates an exceptional range and depth, vividly bringing to life the intense action sequences and serene dialogues. From the onset, subtle score elements flow naturally through the soundstage, signaling the high quality of engineering behind this track. Moments of chaos, such as battles on Norwegian battlefields or Thor’s combat against the Destroyer, are reproduced with unparalleled clarity and dynamism, filling all seven channels effortlessly. The ambient audio transitions are equally impressive, providing rich environmental context whether in New Mexico’s deserts, the icy plains of Jotunheim, or the opulent halls of Asgard.

Nonetheless, the brute strength of the audio proves to be a double-edged sword. The soundtrack stands out for its sheer power, with bass that is potent but occasionally unkempt at lower frequencies. It's impossible to ignore the megaton low-frequency effects that burst from scenes, demanding attention and potentially proving excessive for listeners less inclined towards such intensity. While dialogue remains remarkably crisp and never competes with the surrounding cacophony, there is a recurring need to adjust volume levels as the movie progresses to manage the overpowering audio effects.

In essence, this Blu-ray’s audio is a thunderous display of dynamic range and intensity but may test the limits of some audio systems and listener tolerance alike. It provides an immensely entertaining auditory experience, cementing its place among potential demo materials despite requiring volume adjustments to avoid overpowering effects.

The Blu-ray release of "Thor" impresses with its extensive array of extras, spearheaded by an insightful audio commentary from Director Kenneth Branagh. His commentary stands out by delving into the film’s Shakespearean qualities, thematic material, and technical aspects such as special effects and set design. These extras are complemented by a vibrant mix of featurettes focusing on various elements ranging from the creation of Thor's hammer to the film’s musical score. The disc also includes a Marvel One-Shot, deleted scenes with optional commentary, trailers, and a digital copy, providing fans with a comprehensive and immersive viewing experience. Each featurette is crafted to enhance understanding and appreciation of the film's intricate production process.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Comprehensive insights from Director Kenneth Branagh.
• Marvel One-Shot: The Consultant: Short film linking Marvel storylines.
• From Asgard to Earth: Behind-the-scenes look at set and costume design.
• Our Fearless Leader: Cast insights on Director Kenneth Branagh.
• Assembling the Troupe: Focus on casting key actors.
• Hammer Time: Examination of Thor’s iconic hammer, Mjolnir.
• Creating Laufey: Insight into the Frost Giant character design.
• Music of the Gods: Featurette on the film's score by Composer Patrick Doyle.
• A Conversation: Discussion with Stan Lee and other creators about Thor.
• Road to the Avengers: Compilation leading up to "The Avengers".
• Deleted Scenes: Eleven scenes with optional director commentary.
• Trailers: Teaser, theatrical trailer, and "Avengers" animated series trailer.
• Digital Copy: Portable viewing experience maintaining high quality.

Kenneth Branagh's "Thor," a summer blockbuster spectacle, sits confidently within the Marvel Universe, although it doesn't ascend to the heights of films like "Iron Man." Branagh injects the movie with grandeur and polish, blending fantasy and reality seamlessly, making it visually stunning. The special effects stand out, particularly in rendering Asgard and Jotunheim, integrating digital and practical elements that form a vibrant backdrop for robust action sequences. Despite being jam-packed with thrilling moments and humor, Thor's narrative feels somewhat conventional and unoriginal, echoing tales from Arthurian legends to 1987's "Masters of the Universe." Nonetheless, the movie's linear plot doesn't detract from its engaging portrayal of superhero antics, driven by a mix of flashy visuals and hero's journey themes.

The film's strength lies significantly in Chris Hemsworth's performance as Thor. His portrayal is nuanced, capturing Thor's transition from a cocky prince to a humbled hero, proving his ability to carry the character beyond mere physicality. Supported by a solid yet somewhat overshadowed cast, Anthony Hopkins as Odin provides a commanding presence, while Tom Hiddleston's Loki brings a captivating, if Evans subtle, depth of villainy. However, other characters, including Natalie Portman's Jane Foster, often feel sidelined due to the film's basic script. The movie explores rich mythological elements smartly meshed with contemporary storytelling techniques, lending Thor an unexpected depth. Themes of redemption and power dynamics enrich the plot despite occasional predictability.

In essence, while "Thor" may suffer from some unremarkable plotting and tropes typical of the genre, its visual flair, led by Branagh's direction and Hemsworth's compelling performance, makes it an enjoyable and worthwhile entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film triumphs as a technical marvel filled with mesmerizing special effects, and its balance of action, humor, and thematic undertones ensures it remains an engaging piece of cinema.

Thor may not stand at the pinnacle of superhero filmmaking, but it unequivocally delivers a highly engaging, visually stunning experience. Under Kenneth Branagh's direction, the film opts for spectacle over plot, resulting in a fast-paced and exhilarating ride that nonetheless engages audiences. The story of Thor is steeped in familiar plot devices and offers little thematic depth, but the visual grandeur and Chris Hemsworth's commendable performance lend it significant appeal. Hemsworth manages to imbue Thor with considerable charisma, overcoming the character's inherent flatness.

Paramount's 2D Blu-ray release of Thor excels in technical execution. The 1080p video presentation is consistently impressive, showcasing the film's breathtaking backdrops with remarkable clarity and detail. The DTS-HD MA 7.1 lossless soundtrack is a highlight, enveloping viewers in a richly dynamic auditory experience. The disc features a robust selection of extra content, enhancing its value to fans and collectors alike. Even though Thor may not be the most original or narratively intricate entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it performs its role as part of the larger saga effectively.

Thor makes for fine entertainment, but the pinnacle of superhero moviemaking it is not. Director Kenneth Branagh has chosen spectacle over plot, and in this case, that choice isn't without merit. The story of Thor is one of recycled plot standards and thematic indifference, but the picture still works as an extraordinarily fun ride and a showcase of digital movie magic. The film is superficially defined by its breathtaking backdrops -- most of which aren't real -- and the exemplary performance of lead Actor Chris Hemsworth, who manages to give shape to a relatively flat character. Thor is a blast to watch; it moves fast and the action hits hard. It won't win any awards for originality, but it's a comfortable summer movie that does a fine job of setting part of the stage for the coming Avengers picture. Paramount's 2D Blu-ray release of Thor delivers steady 1080p video, a first-class DTS-HD MA 7.1 lossless soundtrack, and a better-than-average assortment of extra content. Easily recommended.

In conclusion, while Thor isn't leading the charge in Marvel’s illustrious roster, it remains a thoroughly enjoyable action blockbuster that offers high entertainment value. With exceptional technical features on the Blu-ray release and pitch-perfect casting that elevates the material, this film is undoubtedly worth watching and adds appreciable value to any superhero film collection.