Thor

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Mixing more fantastical elements than we're used to seeing in the Marvel universe, this production is as sturdy as its imposing lead, Chris Hemsworth. It mightn't mix the worlds of Asgard and Earth together as seamlessly as it could have, and the 3D is utterly inane, but Branagh handles the dramatic family elements of the story with aplomb, while Hemsworth is excellent. One thing is for sure, The Avengers movie better be pretty damn great with the first two Iron Man flicks and this now acting as a precursor.

Hemsworth is Thor, the cocky God of Thunder from the realm of Asgard. When he defies his father's orders (Hopkins playing the wise and weary King Odin), he is banished from his home as punishment and sent to earth. There to learn some humility if he is to finally become King of Asgard, he bumps into Natalie Portman's mildly neurotic scientist and begins a romance minutes after landing on earth. But all is not well back home; Thor's brother Loki (a sinister looking Hiddleston) has designs on the crown for his own ulterior motive.

Initially conceived as 'Marvel's Lord of the Rings', the earth set element of Thor happened because of the incestuous world the studio has fashioned to house their prized characters. Tony Stark's name is mentioned, while Jeremy Renner cameos as Hawkeye; this is meant to get fanboys as excited as a Cadburys Creme Egg before self-flagellation. Causal viewers may be miffed, but should still enjoy Renner's surprise inclusion, and figuring out why "the bald guy from Iron Man" is in this film too. It's all in the name of fun.

Generally speaking, it's very entertaining stuff. An opening twenty minutes set in Asgard is effects heavy and successful in depicting another parallel world, while Hemmsworth always plays just on the likeable side of arrogant. When it shifts back to earth things get a little rushed, and Portman falls for the former God of Thunder pretty quickly - after he swans about revealing a suitably god-like torso. That relationship is zilch to do with what makes Thor work, while all of the other human characters are required to do little other than look on in bemusement at the unfolding battles.

When the action kicks off, its high on spectacle with Branagh having built enough character momentum with Asgard's warriors to forgive their brief, if effective, earth scuffles. It's the Shakespearian stalwart's work in Asgard that makes Thor worth seeing, and it'll be interesting to see if he carries over to a sequel.

Hemsworth should see a meteoric rise after a genuinely star-making turn as Thor, while fans won't be disappointed. Just don't bother forking over the extra clams for the distracting 3D.