I didn’t go into it, but I did see Thor last week, and I liked it quite a lot. Most of the criticism I’ve seen revolves around the film being too light or inconsequential. To my mind, that means it was fun. Does the entire universe have to be at stake in every single movie? I don’t think so. It was nice to see a lighthearted superhero movie, and a pretty well done one at that. And presumably Captain America will be at least somewhat darker, as it involves fighting WWII. So run with it.
Thor is already nearing the breakeven point, due to its (by today’s standard) moderate $150 million budget. The worldwide gross should easily surpass $300 million this weekend, which will push the film safely into the black. Considering that the heavy fantasy elements could easily have tanked the film, Marvel must be sighing with relief. Certainly Thor’s warm (if not blazing hot) reception bodes well for Captain America and The Avengers, both of which seem more marketable on their face.
Thor did middling well in the States last weekend (and like most action movies, did rather better overseas), and although big movies generally drop at least 50% by the second weekend now, Thor should be kept from much of a larger collapse by the lack of competition this weekend. The Bridesmaids, which looks to be a distaff The Hangover, could easily do well with female audiences particularly, but it probably doesn’t pose a huge threat to Thor, even as counterprogramming. Even less dangerous is the awful looking Priest, another tiresome guy fights CGI vampires movie. The 15% positive rating at Rottentomatoes suggests more a Paste Pot Pete-level threat than a Wrecking Crew-sized one.
