--- title: "Thor: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/thor/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/thor" critics_score: 63 critics_reviews: 24 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Thor (2011): what the critics said Critics' score 63 from 24 reviews: 12 positive, 9 mixed, 3 negative. The reviews lean positive, though not by much. Most critics find Thor good fun and most credit Kenneth Branagh for it: he plays the myth straight, gives the Asgard scenes some Shakespearean father-and-son weight, and keeps the tone light enough that the pomp never becomes a chore. Chris Hemsworth is widely picked out as a find, especially once the story lands on Earth and he is allowed to be funny, and Tom Hiddleston’s Loki draws steady praise. The disagreements are about balance. Several critics say the film lurches between the grandeur of Asgard and the small-town comedy on Earth, though they cannot agree which half works: Variety and the Los Angeles Times prefer Asgard, the Evening Standard the Earth scenes. The 3D conversion is a recurring complaint. The spread is wide, from warm approval to dismissal; The New York Times calls it an exercise in mediocrity and Film Comment finds it retrograde beside more recent superhero films. ## The AV Club — Keith Phipps Rating B+. 5 May 2011. The review calls Thor a big, loud, relentlessly entertaining film that reminds viewers why they used to get excited about comic-book movies. It singles out Natalie Portman's charming performance and Hemsworth's embodiment of the character for praise while noting Branagh acquits himself well with the material. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/thor-1798168159) ## Empire — Chris Hewitt Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). The film is tremendous fun and proof that Marvel knows how to handle its back catalogue, with Branagh excelling at the Shakespearean father-son dynamics and Hemsworth emerging as a true star in the fish-out-of-water comedy. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/thor-review/) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 18 April 2011. The critic praises Branagh for delivering a stylish, action-packed adaptation that blends pomp, majesty, humour and humanity, satisfying both fans and newcomers. They single out the strong production design, costumes, and handling of both Asgardian drama and Earth-bound scenes. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/thor/5026294.article) ## Total Film — Neil Smith Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 18 April 2011. Kenneth Branagh's approach punctures pomposity with genial fun while delivering the expected spectacle; once on Earth the initially wooden Hemsworth displays real comic chops amid the fish-out-of-water humour. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/thor-review/) ## The Guardian — Xan Brooks Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 19 April 2011. The film is overlong and all over the place with tacky sets and a spasmodic script, but Branagh's direction brings a weirdly charming, freewheeling gusto and infectious tongue-in-cheek fun that keeps it from being a bore. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/apr/19/thor-film-review-kenneth-branagh) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Megan Lehmann Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 20 April 2011. The critic praises Kenneth Branagh's good-humored direction for making the fantastical world accessible and highlights Chris Hemsworth's star-making performance as Thor. The review notes solid effects and respect for comic lore but finds some directorial choices like slanted angles distracting. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/thor-review-179647/) ## The Independent — Jonathan Romney Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 30 April 2011. The critic finds the film jolly, boisterous and honorably executed with a starry cast, though the exiled god does not crack many jokes. Branagh directs with swagger and good cheer, turning the material into something like a fancy RSC panto. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/thor-kenneth-branagh-114-mins-12a-2277248.html) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 6 May 2011. The critic finds the film an agreeable blend of trippy, tacky, and monumental elements that improves on aggressively realistic superhero movies. Branagh's relish for grandiose Shakespearean trappings is noted positively, along with strong work from Tom Hiddleston, though some CGI and Portman's performance draw mild criticism. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2011/05/movie_review_the_trippy_tacky.html) ## Little White Lies — James Smith Rating 3/3/3. 26 April 2011. The critic finds it a solid if unremarkable superhero entry that succeeds on its own terms as entertaining fantasy with Shakespearean family drama undertones. They single out the Earth-bound humour and believable central romance for praise while noting the action sequences suffer in 3D and Asgard feels overblown. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/thor) ## The Telegraph — Jenny McCartney Rating 3/5. 28 April 2011. Branagh brings soul and mythic swaggery to the material through strong work with actors like Hemsworth, Hopkins and especially Hiddleston as Loki, though visual control wobbles and it feels like a weird mead-and-Malibu cocktail. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/8480627/Thor-review.html) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 3/5. 20 April 2011. The review calls it an endearing but anonymous throwback to 1980s fantasy fluff that works as mindless holiday entertainment. They praise the fun, knowing tone and some cast members while complaining about the lack of directorial personality from Branagh and thin character work. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/thor) ## Variety — Richard Kuipers Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 17 April 2011. Thor is neither the best nor worst of the Marvel adaptations, delivering spectacle in its celestial action and family drama while faltering in its brief Earth-bound sections. Branagh brings a measured Shakespearean weight to the mythological characters without overdoing it. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2011/film/reviews/thor-1117945029/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 6 May 2011. The movie ends in an aesthetic draw between Branagh's Shakespearean ambitions and Marvel's commercial demands, resulting in a mishmash that is stronger in its Asgard sections than on Earth. The Asgard father-son conflict and Hopkins' performance stand out as the most substantial elements. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2011-may-06-la-et-thor-20110506-story.html) ## Slant Magazine Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 4 May 2011. The review describes Thor as an adequate but instantly forgettable origin story that feels like an impersonal assembly-line product despite a thoughtful script and good cast. It notes that all the right elements are present but nothing extraordinary results from them. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/thor/) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. The reviewer notes that the film judders between styles and that the down-to-earth scenes are more entertaining than the dull Asgard sections, with some mildly funny fish-out-of-water moments. It is ultimately good fun for boys aged 10 to 12. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/a-thor-of-words-lets-down-this-norse-movie-7424597.html) ## Film Comment — Scott Foundas Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). The film feels comically retrograde compared to more complex recent superhero movies. Branagh alternates between strained self-seriousness in Asgard and awkward fish-out-of-water comedy on Earth. [Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/foundas-on-film-thor-something-borrowed/) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 5 May 2011. The film is an unbroken exercise in mediocrity that succeeds precisely because it aims low and delivers exactly what is expected. Branagh's direction and the cast fail to elevate the material beyond its generic superhero formula. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/06/movies/thor-with-chris-hemsworth-review.html) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating B+. 5 May 2011. The critic praises director Kenneth Branagh for playing the character straight yet keeping the film fun and light, anchored by strong performances from Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston. Supporting characters are underdeveloped and the 3D post-conversion is a major flaw that ruins the visuals, but the film succeeds overall as enjoyable entertainment in 2D. [Read the review](https://collider.com/thor-review/) ## Den of Geek — James Hunt Rating 4/5. 17 April 2011. Branagh realises Thor’s potential without getting bogged down in comic history. Fantastic effects, strong characters and a story worth revisiting make it a strong summer kick-off despite minor stumbles. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/thor-review/) ## Eye for Film — David Graham Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 26 April 2011. The critic views it as a worthy kick-off to blockbuster season, an amiable mash-up that is hard not to get caught up in due to its shamelessly out-there ideas. They single out for praise Branagh's flair for spectacle and character establishment, particularly Hemsworth's likable lead performance. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/thor-film-review-by-david-graham) ## Paste — Jonathan Hickman Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 5 May 2011. The critic calls the film a surprisingly well-executed and literate summer superhero movie that maintains a tongue-in-cheek tone suitable for a wide audience. It singles out the 3D conversion as a major disappointment that dims the images and hurts the experience, along with excessive loudness. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/thor/thor-review) ## Digital Spy Rating 3/5. 21 April 2011. A mischievous, light-hearted tone works better than expected and allows Thor to evolve as a character through his Earth relationships. Action lags in the middle section. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/thor/) ## HeyUGuys — Ben Mortimer Rating 3/5. 18 April 2011. The critic finds Thor remarkably good fun and a worthy popcorn movie, praising the excellent performances especially from Hemsworth and Dennings along with the humor and energy. However, it complains about the film's struggle to balance tones with Marvel continuity, ropey dialogue, silly setup, and poor 3D. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/thor-review/) ## The Skinny — Thom Atkinson Rating ★★★. 6 May 2011. Branagh’s theatrical handling of the Asgard mythos and ensemble cast is a saving grace. Taken lightly it is a marvellous adventure fit for a sequel. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/new-releases/thor) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/thor.md