‘Thor’: Celestial World Introduces Asgard Marvel Hero

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Never have super heroes and action figures been more popular than in recent years at the box office. Some of them I’ve seen, others really don’t interest me and some I want to see but have to rent. Don’t ask me how, why or when an interest in this happened, but since its media hype, I’m intrigued. As usual, I feel like I am the “last” person who has yet to see Thor. Nevertheless, I am still going to insist you all read about my thoughts – just kidding.

Thor (2011) Marvel Film Review

Ancient history cloaks the fated battle between the Norse gods and their immortal enemy in sworn secrecy. The Frost Giant’s army took over the multitude of lands and murdered hundreds of innocent people – mere mortals. The King of Asgard, Odin (Anthony Hopkins) along with his mighty army see to it that the Frost Giants never a threaten mankind again. Odin’s two young sons grow up knowing one of them will be king, but their father knows the crown will fall to the son who rules with wisdom.

Years later, Odin prepares to pass his throne onto the god of thunder, his eldest son Thor (Chris Hemsworth). Thor is the cocky son, the one who is ready to charge into battle at a moment’s notice. When the giants thwart his coronation, Thor is ready to declare war. His father forbids this knowing it will shatter a delicate balance. Disregarding his father, Thor rallies his tight knit circle of warrior friends and his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and wages a small war against the enemy. Arriving just in time, Odin saves the young warriors, and then banishes Thor to earth. He strips him of his powers, never to allow him entrance again… unless he becomes worthy of his title.

Thor awakens in man’s world in on the edge of a small New Mexico town. What’s more he quite literally collides with a team of dedicated scientists doing research. The trio is led by the driven and dedicated Jane Foster (Natalie Portman); then there’s her mentor Eric Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard), and is assistant, Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings). When Thor falls into their hands, she is sure he is an answer to her many questions. What she doesn’t know is that a battle is about to be unleashed on her front doorstep.

Meet #Thor! Marvel's Asgardian hero. #MovieReview: 'Thor' (2011): Celestial World Introduces Asgard #Marvel Hero Share on X

To be upfront, I really enjoyed this movie. Having said this, it is a bit silly. Since I kind of expect this, it doesn’t affect my viewing experience and isn’t this what super hero movies are anyway!?  Silly costumes, constant special effects, the cool gadgets and powers (if it weren’t so, we might all feel let down). The first and last fifteen minutes of the movie is a little corny because of its special effects. In all other regards, the movie is actually an impressive piece of cinema. The acting is good and the story decent, I just wish the plot were a bit better.

It clocks in at close to two hours, so the script does not lack time, but still so many of the gestures or emotions feel manufactured. From Thor’s perspective, I accept him being enchanted with Jane because that’s the kind of world he comes from. But is Jane going to be so smitten with him after two days? On the other hand, the two scenes their romance does feature in, is sweet. Basically, in the end everything runs down way too quickly. We want to be thrilled with its end, and it is exciting (in a Terminator-like way). However, it might be something of a let-down when we realize the entire movie builds to this one face-off. In this regard, I think the scene could be staged differently. The script has “just enough” humor without being cheeky.

Thor has a magnificent score, marvelous cinematography, and the set is magical – especially as regards Asgard. In short, this is one of the most entertaining I’ve seen in a good long while. I can definitely see myself watching this on multiple occasions. I’m also among the thousands of people who think it will be way cool to see four superheroes share screen-time in next summers anticipated Avengers. He may have started out with selfish motives, but Thor ends up a noble hero worth cheering for. For those of you familiar with Marvel, you’ll smile at the Tony Stark reference and Marvel (comic book) aficionados will pick up on things that I miss. (A Marvel know-it-all, I am not).

Basically, Thor follows tradition where sci-fi superhero flicks are concerned, but I’ve a feeling this will be one of my favorite summer blockbusters from the year. I admire its reflective, “brave” end, and look forward to Thor’s triumphant return in The Avengers. Until then, make sure you catch the origins of his story here – and don’t forget to let the credits roll for a one-minute scene setting up The Avengers.

• Ruth’s Review

CONTENT: several warriors are impaled with spears. The one battle scene isn’t all that graphic; various hand-to-hand combat scenes play through the movie. Near the end a man dies by a giant metal dude; cars flip through the air. Profanity is basically non-existent, but there are likely a few scattered in the script. Darcy and Jane check out Thor’s “hot” physique while he changes his shirt. Thor is PG13.

Photos: Marvel Entertainment / Marvel Studios / Paramount Pictures