Thor is a hotheaded and impulsive young man who is banished from his home world of Asgard to Earth by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins in yet another larger than life performance). Forced to live among mortals Thor literally crashes to earth in New Mexico where he meets astrophysicist Jane Foster (played by Oscar winning Natalie Portman).

Things are about to get chaotic as the forces of Asgard follow Thor including his jealous and twisted brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Both worlds are in danger and it is not long before Thor is on a collision course with the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as well as the evil elements of his home world.

Early on this has the feel of ‘Lord of the Rings’ meets ‘Clash of the Titans’ with the familiar ‘fish out of water’ scenario that has been done many times before. The acting does get a little wooden at times and there is a palpably camp air to proceedings, yet a film about a Norse God crash landing in contemporary 21st century Earth was never meant as high art!

There are also similarities with ‘Superman II’ as Thor and his fellow ‘outsiders’ from Asgard do battle in small town USA. I have to say that despite its similarity to many other films and its other flaws it is still a lot of silly fun. There is plenty of humour (a film like this can never take itself seriously) and there is generally a light-hearted tongue-in-cheek feeling as the Mythological and cynical 21st century cultures clash.

You go to see films like this for the sheer spectacle and entertainment and there is plenty of eye candy and special effects up on the screen. It’s not the best superhero film you will ever see, but it’s entertaining in its own way. With a gateway to another dimension opened Thor will return. Remember to stick around after the end credits for the inevitable Marvel Studios teaser!