Movie report: Thor
In Norse mythology, and the Marvel comic books, Thor is a god. This movie makes it clear that the residents of the realm of Asgard are not gods, but their vastly superior technology was seen as magic by 10th century humans, who saw fit to worship them. This is how you get days of the week named after you. With that point out of the way, you can sit back and enjoy the entertainment without any nagging theology.
!!! SPOILER ALERT !!!
When the movie begins, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is swaggering like every other top jock you’ve ever seen as he steps forward to be named the next king of Asgard by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins). The ceremony is interrupted by Frost Giants breaking into a secure area to steal back the MacGuffin that gives their realm its power. They don’t succeed, but hot-head Thor is so ticked off at being upstaged that he gathers his boon companions, including his brother Loki, and sets off to the Frost Giant realm to kick some butt. The ensuing battle threatens to disturb the long truce between Asgard and the Frost Giants. Displeased, Odin strips Thor of his powers and exiles him to Earth (that’s punishment!) to learn lessons of humility and compassion. Odin tosses his hammer Mjolnir about 50 miles away, where it leaves a crater.
Landing on Earth, Thor is sideswiped by a team of astrophysicists (Natalie Portman et al.) who are investigating the beam that carried him there. The Earthlings regard Thor as a crazed homeless guy, and their interactions are very funny. Quasi-governmental types seize all the astrophysicists’ research, cordon off the hammer, and make the Frost Giants look affable by comparison.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is proving himself an extremely devious fellow. I won’t reveal all the plots he weaves, but the tricks he pulls are both surprising and clever. Eventually, he dispatches a robot-like being to destroy now-mortal Thor and any planets that might get in the way. Thor’s boon companions travel to Earth to help him.
I won’t reveal the action further. There are many entertaining twists and turns that surprised me. The action switches between Asgard and Earth, and the contrast between the two makes both even more interesting. Good scenes and dialogue. This is one of those rare movies full of likeable characters. I especially liked Heimdall, the gatekeeper of Asgard. The movie was over too soon.
My wife, who is not a fan of comics or sci-fi or fantasy, also loved this movie, and wanted to find out what happens next in the saga. I hope a sequel is in the works, because this movie was great.
Highly recommended. Not too scary for kids.
In Norse mythology, and the Marvel comic books, Thor is a god. This movie makes it clear that the residents of the realm of Asgard are not gods, but their vastly superior technology was seen as magic by 10th century humans, who saw fit to worship them. This is how you get days of the week named after you. With that point out of the way, you can sit back and enjoy the entertainment without any nagging theology.
!!! SPOILER ALERT !!!
When the movie begins, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is swaggering like every other top jock you’ve ever seen as he steps forward to be named the next king of Asgard by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins). The ceremony is interrupted by Frost Giants breaking into a secure area to steal back the MacGuffin that gives their realm its power. They don’t succeed, but hot-head Thor is so ticked off at being upstaged that he gathers his boon companions, including his brother Loki, and sets off to the Frost Giant realm to kick some butt. The ensuing battle threatens to disturb the long truce between Asgard and the Frost Giants. Displeased, Odin strips Thor of his powers and exiles him to Earth (that’s punishment!) to learn lessons of humility and compassion. Odin tosses his hammer Mjolnir about 50 miles away, where it leaves a crater.
Landing on Earth, Thor is sideswiped by a team of astrophysicists (Natalie Portman et al.) who are investigating the beam that carried him there. The Earthlings regard Thor as a crazed homeless guy, and their interactions are very funny. Quasi-governmental types seize all the astrophysicists’ research, cordon off the hammer, and make the Frost Giants look affable by comparison.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is proving himself an extremely devious fellow. I won’t reveal all the plots he weaves, but the tricks he pulls are both surprising and clever. Eventually, he dispatches a robot-like being to destroy now-mortal Thor and any planets that might get in the way. Thor’s boon companions travel to Earth to help him.
I won’t reveal the action further. There are many entertaining twists and turns that surprised me. The action switches between Asgard and Earth, and the contrast between the two makes both even more interesting. Good scenes and dialogue. This is one of those rare movies full of likeable characters. I especially liked Heimdall, the gatekeeper of Asgard. The movie was over too soon.
My wife, who is not a fan of comics or sci-fi or fantasy, also loved this movie, and wanted to find out what happens next in the saga. I hope a sequel is in the works, because this movie was great.
Highly recommended. Not too scary for kids.
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