For fans of Marvel Comics and Norse mythology, “Thor” (titled “Mighty Thor” for Japan) should fit the bill. British director Kenneth Branagh certainly turns up the sound in the latest 3-D action film for summer – as you would expect in a story about the god of thunder.
“It’s a powerful action movie and an exciting drama,” said Branagh in a video message to the media in Japan. “It’s also the first 3-D action film for Marvel and the first time for me to direct a film in 3-D. I know a lot of people are undecided on 3-D but I found the process a great opportunity to enhance the film’s appeal.”
“Thor” stars Australian newcomer Chris Hemsworth as the hammer-wielding title character and British actor Tom Hiddleston as his evil brother. They are backed by such stars as Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman (having a very busy year with three films and a baby on the way) and Japan’s Tadanobu Asano, making his Hollywood film debut.
After being banished to Earth by his one-eyed father Odin (Hopkins) from Asgard (the realm of the gods), Thor and his hammer end up in the New Mexico desert where he is befriended by an astrophysicist (Portman). Soon he is being pursued by dark forces from his world. Amid all the ensuing battles between the Norse gods and the Frost Giants, Thor learns from us mere mortals what it takes to be a real hero. And that’s what appealed to Branagh, a veteran of many Shakespeare productions. “Thor is a god but he possesses human characteristics and weaknesses. At the start, he is arrogant, and he makes mistakes. As he embarks on his journey, he learns to overcome his weaknesses. I think that makes him one of Marvel’s strongest heroes.”
Asano, 37, plays Hogun -- one of the Warriors Three who fight valiantly alongside Thor. Currently filming his second international production “Ronin” with Keanu Reeves in London, Asano made a quick trip back to Tokyo to promote “Thor,” which he described as an eye-opening experience.
“The whole process was incredible,” said Asano, best known to audiences in the West for his role in “Ichi the Killer.” “Everything from the set, to the costumes to the makeup was just breathtaking.” Asano, who doesn’t have a lot of dialogue, said he auditioned by video. “My English is not very good but the director and I managed to work everything out one way or another.” Having had a taste of Hollywood, Asano said he wanted to improve his English and continue acting in international productions.
Branagh heaped praise on the Japanese actor. “I first saw Tad in ‘Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Kahn’ (in 2007), and I thought he had a natural movie star presence. I knew he would make a deadly soldier. He adapted amazingly well and was very popular with the cast and crew. He was a joy to work with.”
“Thor” has been a thunderous hit around the world, and Branagh said one reason is “due to the performances across the board.” Branagh added that he hoped “Thor” would provide Japanese audiences with an entertaining diversion from the stress of dealing with the events of March 11. “I love Japan, having been there many times, and I am confident that the people of Japan can overcome this hardship. Enjoy the movie, and please, please stick around for the final credits because there is a surprise at the very end.”
“Thor” opens in Japan on Saturday.
© Japan Today
18 Comments
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NetNinja
This is going to be TOTALLY awesome. Not as EPIC as the Dark Knight but good none the less.
I've been totally waiting for this one.
Green Lantern is coming but it heard it bombed. Thor on the other hand, I heard dropped the hammer hard on the box office with great reviews to boot.
Can I say it? Yeah, I want to say it......"It's HAMMER TIME" I have not seen the movie yet......MODERATORS please delete any SPOILER posts.
Zenny11
Thor and Green Lantern reviews so far won't get me to by a cinema ticket, maybe get those once they hit the bargain bin.
Upcoming Batman movie has already shown the new Batmobile(worse than the bat-pod, IMHO) and the new suit.
Seems like today unless you do 3D and bombard the viewers with CG it won't sell, what happened to a good script/story/acting?
Zenny11
Of course all the current movies are just a setup for the upcoming ....
Hold it.
Bit more.
"Justice League" and " Avengers" Movies.
that way they can get the origin stories of each Super Hero out of the way.
taj
I would LOVE to help Tad improve his English!! I really wish the next installment of Mongol: Ghengis Khan could get made. The first one was brilliant.
TokyoGas
I saw the movie in regular 2D and thought that it was ok. Not a masterpiece by any means, but ok. Whenever these superhero movies are made, I always hope that before the movie starts they show one of those old cartoon versions. I think it would be a kick for the audience.
Sasoriza
I watched the movie, and was little bit disappointed, but still it's fun for the summer. By the way, I hoped instead of Asano in full armour on the photo to see Chris Hemsworth, wild and massive, in wet white shirt as he was in one particular scene in the movie.
Ivan Coughanoffalot
I enjoyed this film in April when it was released in the civilised world.
bicultural
ivan, it was released at the end of April in Australia and at the beginning of May in the US. Are you saying the US is not civilized?
smartacus
Ivan
Japanese audiences don't care if the film was released two months ago overseas. It doesn't spoil their enjoyment of the film. In fact, if a movie gets good reviews overseas first, then it adds to the anticipation. I know it does for me.
I suspect you posted that sentence to just bash Japanese society.
lucabrasi
I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Batman at a gay pride rally, given all the speculation about his relationship with young Robin :)
NetSamurai
The Mighty Thor. Love the Hammer.
Speaking of hammers, seems like Ivan really dropped the hammer on Japan. He didn't bash Japan, he really hammered it.
@Ivan Got news for you. I was back in the States (civilised world). Christmas Day, I went to see True Grit (Great MOVIE). I was blown away by the American audience. One guy did not turn off his mobile phone. This guy frickin let it ring.....instead of smothering it till he could shut it off....he answered it....."Merry Christmas"....then proceeded to finish his conversation till he was called out by another audience member..
The theaters did not have the same cleanliness level as Japan. Sound quality...pfft...America is so behind.
So here it is....Yes, in America we know how to make movies. The problem is we don't know how to present them.
The days of chandelier and velvet rope theaters are gone. I remember the soft carpet and the attention to detail we used to have in America. That's gone now. Don't take my word for it.....see for yourself....rent "Scary Movie" the parody flick.
Yeah, the ticket price here in Japan might cost more...but it's easy to understand why.
Ivan Coughanoffalot
Wow, looks like I'm the bad guy for wondering why this paragon of all things wonderful is the last place in the world where a film gets released.
I've been to modern cinemas in plenty of countries and haven't found Japan's to be anything out of the ordinary. Some places in Europe even have inside lavatories these days.
The fact that people put up with what they're given does not make it right that Tokyo should have to wait for nearly three months longer than Zagreb. Why do the apologists above think Japanese people don't deserve better?
steve@CPFC
Japanese cinemas are overpriced, show the films late and don't do good deals for families. I have no interst in these type of 3D scraping the bottom of the barrell stuff.
combinibento
Agree with Ivan and I myself have commented on this site numerous times at how ridiculous it is for Japan to be the last place in the universe to get a film. When Mars gets cinemas, they will have earlier release dates than Tokyo. And all this despite that Tokyo goes absolutely crazy in promoting the films and laying out the red carpet for even B-list "stars" when they do their junkets. You'd think the Japan audiences make up for a big chunk of Hollywood's income but there they are, consistently getting films well after they have been viewed by pensioners in the outskirts of Poland.
Zenny11
Been bugging me all day long. Surprising no-one got the reference of the title:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaWl2lA7968
You guys are slipping.
Ivan Coughanoffalot
Smartacus
You are just plain incorrect in that presumption.
bobobolinski
The delay between US/Euro release of this movie isn't so bad compared to many films that take over a year to get a big screen promotion. (By which time the DVD has been available for ages.) Annoying, but then this, as Hyman Roth declared, is the life we chose.
What I don't like is that on its opening weekend, and possibly for the entirety of its show in Japan, Thor is only viewable in 3D. Fine for themz who like it, but I would much prefer the 2D alternative which has been available everywhere else.