Thor (2011)

Watched 20130729 (Netflix, Instant)
Thor (2011) Kenneth Branagh. 115 min


Relevant Links:
Thor (film) (Wikipedia.org)
Thor (RottenTomatoes.com)
Thor (IMDb.com)
Thor (Marvel Comics) (Wikipedia.org)


The movie starts with some scientists trying to follow strange astronomical occurrences.

Then the stories jumps to Thor and Loki as kids and their father Odin. As king of Asgard, Odin tells them that one day one of them will take over and be king. Immediately, we see Thor is hungry with the desire to fight and conquer.

When they are grown, Thor is almost throned king by his father. The Frost Giants, however, have invaded and the ceremony is interrupted. An angered Thor seeks to battle the Frost Giants and travels with his friends to the Jotunheim where the Frost Giants reside.


Thor's careless actions basically have caused a war. For this, his father and still king strips Thor of his powers and exiles him to earth. Odin also takes the hammer and bestows an enchantment that says only one who is worthy may take it.

This returns the viewer back to the beginning of the story where the scientists have crashed their car into Thor. Worried, they take him to the hospital where he eventually awakens and leaves. During this time, Thor displays a great deal of strength, albeit muscular strength as opposed to power-based strength.

Meanwhile, the hammer has landed not so far away and nobody is able to pull it out. We also see Agent Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D. arrive at the scene.


Back on Asgard, Loki discovers he's a Frost Giant and soon afterwards, his adoptive father goes into a deep sleep to recover his strength. With Thor exiled to Earth, Loki becomes king and it becomes apparent that he manipulated Thor into causing chaos and knew his father would reprimand Thor's actions.

Eventually Thor fights his way into the landing site and comes to the realization that he can't pull the hammer up.

It seems reasonable that Thor will eventually become worthy to wield his hammer once more, but will he return to Asgard? If so, will he be able to stop his adoptive brother Loki?



20130729:
Out of the six movies in Phase One of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor was the last movie I saw and possibly my least favorite. However, based on what I had to say about The Incredible Hulk, it's possible that I would like Thor better The Incredible Hulk.

I found the plot flimsy and the action was uninteresting. On the plus side, I went into the movie expecting a terrible one, and relative to my expectations, the film was okay.

While comparatively boring to other Phase One movies, the film serves an important role as a lead-in to The Avengers. Thus, if you plan on watching The Avengers or have watched The Avengers without having seen Thor, then I would recommend watching Thor. I should note that I probably wouldn't watch the film again unless it was part of a Phase One marathon.


[Part of Movies: Marvel Cinematic Universe]
[20130729][20181203 Edit]

Instant Comments:
The actor playing the scientist portrayed Prof. Gerald Lambeau in Good Will Hunting (1997).
"I'll have another!" Throws cup on floor.
References Bruce Banner/The Hulk at 47 minutes.
Southwest Airlines named. Reminds me of McDonald's being used in Iron Man.
Hawkeye makes an appearance.
"Do not mistake my appetite for apathy!"
His friends and the three humans look so silly standing there watching as Thor walks towards the machine to die.
"Whoever holds this hammer, should he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor."
So cheesy: "Oh. My. God."
"Well I guess that's worth a look."

Credits:
Dr. Sevlig shows up to meet Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. We also see Loki in the mirror and he has the doctor say a few words.

Trailers:
Note that while the thumbnails which show up (at least in my web browser) are fuzzy, the trailers themselves are clear. I wish the movie was as cool as the first trailer makes it seem.


HISHEdotcom:
I love the superhero cafe conversation near the end.



Batman: Your dad is sort of extreme.
Thor: Well, I suppose he's a little strict, but everything he does he does for a reason.
Superman: Like stealing a baby?
Batman: And then raising that baby as your brother?
Superman: And making him believe he could be king?
Batman: So that he goes crazy with jealousy and becomes your life-long enemy?

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