Thor’ is cinema lite … but enjoyable

One of the surprising things about ” Thor” - maybe the only surprising thing - is that it was directed by Kenneth Branagh. Yeah, that Kenneth Branagh , the one with impeccable Shakespeare credentials.

Not that anyone is likely to confuse “Thor” with anything remotely Shakespearean. The action flick boasts no “Henry V,” “Hamlet” or even “Magic Flute” moments. It’s simply another Marvel Comics tale, told middingly well. Even given its twisted retelling of Norse tales, “Thor” is a simple film that entertained me better than other recent Marvel productions, including either of the “Fantastic Four” sagas and even the last couple of  “X-Men” efforts.

That said, even with the presence of our newly crowned Best Actress, Natalie Portman, “Thor” is nowhere near as impressive as the first “Iron Man,” which worked as well as it does through the efforts of director Jon Favreau and the acting of Robert Downey Jr.

But if you have low expectations, and enjoy a bit of beefcake in the presence of Chris Hemsworth , an Australian actor who passes for a Norse god convincingly enough, you might have fun. Note to students: This “Thor” isn’t likely to help you in any AP history or philosophy classes.

Not that this should come as any surprise.

Below : Kenneth Branagh explains himself.