Movie reviews

THOR (12A) has all the hallmarks of a movie made not for its own sake but for the purpose of establishing a franchise.

Its main storyline follows the eponymous hero, played by Chris Hemsworth, who is about to be crowned king of Asgard when he is banished, for arrogance, by Odin (Anthony Hopkins).

Pitching up on Earth, Thor learns the wisdom of humility from a group of scientists led by Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), which virtue allows him to return to Asgard and confront his scheming half-brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston).