[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOddp-nlNvQ[/youtube]
“Thor” was out for advanced screenings last night, so Marvel fanboys Dave and Josh brought me along with them to watch it.
More Norse mythology than Marvel mythology, it’s the story of Odin’s son Thor, the God of Thunder, being exiled to Earth. Thor has to fight to find a way back into Asgard while his brother Loki goes after his father’s position as King.
The Marvel twists to the story come in liberal references to other superheroes like Tony Stark, a Hawkeye cameo, and a visually stunning mix of Norse magic with sci-fi technology. It’s not one to watch without a good handle on Norse and Marvel mythology, and the climax felt a bit rushed, but it’s a solid Marvel movie.
We watched it in 3D, which is where I have to grumble that I am getting sick of 3D movies, and I’ve only seen 3 so far. Avatar used it quite nicely to show depth (and to hide a weak plotline with shiny visuals), but in the other movies it made the film feel more fake rather than real.
I’m quite capable of telling that a character in the foreground is in front of the background. When 3D makes them ‘pop-out’ it just seems clunky, like cardboard cut outs standing in front of a backdrop. It also makes action scenes blurry and nearly impossible to follow, and it’s a shame to miss out on all the awesome choreography and special effects because I’m too busy trying to work out what is flying where.
(And don’t get me started on when you’re watching a movie in 2D and half the shots are playing around with depth in a way that screams ‘I’M SUPPOSED TO BE IN 3D. LOVE ME. LOVE MY ILLUSION OF DEPTH.’)
I think I’ll stick with 2D next time, it’s more fun and less hassle.