Movie Review – Thor (2011)
Up next in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and series of prequels leading up to The Avengers (2012) is Thor (2011), a superhero based on the Norse god of thunder.
Apart from roles in animated television shows and direct-to-video animated movies, this is Thor’s first appearance in a live-action movie. And this movie was a great way to welcome the god of thunder to the big screen!
Thor begins back in 965 AD when Odin (played by Anthony Hopkins), king of the realm Asgard, goes to war against the Frost Giants of Jotunheim, to prevent them from conquering the Nine Realms and plunging them into a new ice age.
After a mighty battle Odin and the Asgardians defeat the Frost Giants and seize their source of power, the Casket of Ancient Winters.
After that we see Odin talking to his young sons, Thor and Loki, telling them the history of their people and showing them the Casket of Ancient Winters safely secured within the inner walls of Asgard. He warns them that one day the day will come when one of them, Thor or Loki, will have to defend that peace that currently exists in the Nine Realms. While the young Loki exercises concern for the Frost Giants, young Thor is already brash and arrogant about hunting and killing their enemies.
Odin tells his sons that although only one of them can be king of Asgard, they were both born to be kings. The only question is which one will be worthy enough to assume the throne of Asgard.
Thor (2011) – (c) Paramount Pictures
Fast forwarding to the present day, we see a grown-up Thor (played by Chris Hemsworth) playing into the crowds of Asgardians as he prepares to approach the throne of Asgard. During the ceremony, three Frost Giants suddenly appear deep inside of Asgard and attempt to retrieve the Casket of Ancient Winters. Odin summons a Destroyer machine to kill the Frost Giants before they can escape with their prize.
Thor (2011) – (c) Paramount Pictures
Angered by the sneak attack, Thor defies his father’s wishes and forms a raiding party to Jotunheim to attack the Frost Giants and their leader, Laufey. Attacking the Frost Giants will break the peace between them and the Asgardians, but as Thor points out, the Frost Giants attacked first when they tried to get the Casket of Ancient Winters.
Thor (2011) – (c) Paramount Pictures
A great battle takes place with the Frost Giants until Odin arrives and ends the conflict. Angered by Thor’s arrogance and stupidity, he strips Thor of his powers and banishes him and his mighty hammer, Mjölnir, to Earth. Odin sets an enchantment on Mjölnir, protecting it to allow only the worthy to yield it.
Thor (2011) – (c) Paramount Pictures
Thor lands in a desert in New Mexico where astrophysicist Jane Foster (played by Natalie Portman) was studying mysterious lights in the sky. She and her colleagues take Thor to a local hospital where he’s evaluated. It doesn’t take long before the local residents find the mighty hammer lodged in a rock at the bottom of a crater. While they’re trying to pull it free like in The Sword in the Stone, S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) arrives and secures the scene. He also commandeers Jane’s equipment and wormhole research material, citing national security when questioned why.
Thor (2011) – (c) Paramount Pictures
Back in Asgard, Loki (played by Tom Hiddleston) is enraged with Odin. During the battle with Frost Giants, Loki discovered that he had their blood inside of him. He was born that way. He’s furious with Odin for keeping him hidden from his true origins, blaming it for the reason that Odin always favored Thor. This confrontation puts Odin in a state of shock, paralyzing him completely.
Thor (2011) – (c) Paramount Pictures
On Earth, Thor learns of Mjölnir’s location in the desert. He raids the S.H.I.E.L.D. compound that night, risking his life to reach his trusty hammer. Thor knocks out a bunch of agents and finally reaches his prize. Upon gripping its handle, Thor realizes that he’s been stripped of his powers and is unable to lift Mjölnir. He’s then captured by the agents and taken prisoner.
Thor (2011) – (c) Paramount Pictures
Thor is ultimately freed from S.H.I.E.L.D. by one of Jane’s colleagues, and he forces himself to accept his exile on Earth. He spends time with Jane, trying to know her better and understand her world. While that happens, Loki, now king of Asgard, travels to Jotunheim and makes a deal with Laufey. He’ll allow the Frost Giants entry into Asgard if they’ll kill Odin. In return, Loki will give them their power source, the Casket of Ancient Winters.
Thor (2011) – (c) Paramount Pictures
Unhappy with Loki’s rule over Asgard, Thor’s warrior friends convince Heimdall (Idris Elba), the gatekeeper of the Bifröst (“wormhole” device to travel throughout the Nine Realms), to let them travel to Earth. Aware of their plan, Loki sends a Destroyer to Earth to kill Thor. The Destroyer is nearly unstoppable, and the people of Earth don’t stand a chance against it. Neither does the mortal Thor.
Thor (2011) – (c) Paramount Pictures
Thor doesn’t end there!
Thor (2011) – (c) Paramount Pictures
You’ll get to witness the true power of Thor as he battles and ultimately defeats the Destroyer. After promising to return to Jane, Thor travels back to Asgard to face an ultimate battle with Loki. By the time the movie ends you’ll be ready for more action when Thor returns in The Avengers (2012).
Thor shares part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and takes place just after the events in Iron Man 2. If you recall, there’s a scene in Iron Man 2 where agent Phil Coulson excuses himself from Stark’s home, claiming that he’s needed in New Mexico. We see him in Thor as he investigates Thor’s hammer and attempts to know more about the weapon and mysterious man who beat up his elite guards. One of the guards who observed Thor was Clint Barton / Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner).
Thor (2011) – (c) Paramount Pictures
As far as a direct connection with The Avengers, there’s a scene post-credits in Thor where Erik Selvig is in an underground S.H.I.E.L.D. facility. Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) greets him and tells him that his superior knowledge is needed.
Nick Fury says, “Legend tells us one thing; history, another. But, every now and then, we find something that belongs to both.”
Thor (2011) – (c) Paramount Pictures
He opens a briefcase and shows Selvig a small cube with a blueish glow. When asked what it was, Fury replies that it’s power. Perhaps unlimited power. When the camera pans to the side, we see that a reflection of Loki has appeared and whispered into Selvig’s ear. Selvig repeats what Loki says and agrees to examine the item.
Thor (2011) – movie trailer #1
Personally, I really enjoyed the movie Thor.
This was a great look into a different Marvel superhero and a peek into the world of Norse mythology. The Thor character was outstanding. Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster was also great, and another rather interesting character was Heimdall, the gatekeeper. You know that you don’t want to be on the receiving end of his sword!
The movie just needs MORE!
- More of Thor using his super powers!
- More of the Destroyer and Frost Giants!
- More action on Asgard!
Thor (2011) – movie trailer #2
If anything, the movie could have used a little less CGI. Some of the scenes were pretty blatant and you knew that the actors were just acting in front of computer-generated monsters and events.
As a whole, Thor is still a very good movie. The music is great and the Thor character is just plain awesome. Once he starts using that hammer, look out! I can’t wait to see what he’ll do in The Avengers (2012)!
[Thor brings a drunken Erik Selvig home]
Jane Foster – “What happened?”
Thor – “He’s fine! We drank, we fought – he made his ancestors proud.”