Marvel’s got quite the project on their hands right now.  The Avengers movie has just started filming, starring a large cast of heroes that the mainstream audience hasn’t become very familiar with yet.  Marvel plans to change that before the superhero team-up comes out next year.  Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk are all set for the stage, but now it’s Thor’s turn, the mighty Asgardian, the God of Thunder. 

The film stars Chris Hemsworth as the titular hero and for the most part, his performance is what makes the movie.  He stars alongside Tom Hiddleston, playing his brother Loki, the God of Mischief, as well as Anthony Hopkins, who does a fairly interesting performance as Odin, King of Asgard.    The family ties between these characters make an interesting drama, though its at it’s best when all three characters are in the mix.  There are scenes where you only have Loki and Odin, and those scenes tend to be a little lacking. 

The family’s all here.

Anyway, as for the story, the film starts with a bit of a present day introduction in New Mexico, only to go back to a random flashback, taking place in 965 A.D. Norway.  It introduces us to the Frost Giants, who tormented humans of Earth to try and conquer their realm.  With this conflict, the Asgardians arrive and fight a war, to which the Asgardians eventually win.  A treaty is formed to keep peace between the two races, while the Asgardians keep a Frost Giant relic, the Casket of Ancient Winters.  Fast forward, and Thor celebrates the day he would ascend to the throne.  As Odin is about to pass the crown to his son, his sentence is cut short by a small group of attacking Frost Giants, attempting to steal back the Casket.  This is when Thor feels like his home of Asgard is threatened, and he expresses his wish to wage war yet again.  Odin doesn’t like the idea and decides not to give Thor the right to the throne.

In anger, Thor throws a tantrum and his brother Loki manages to convince him and four other warriors to travel to Jotunheim, the home of the Frost Giants.  Not long after arriving, a large battle ensues and Odin arrives just in time to save the group of warriors.  It is this moment that Odin strips Thor of his powers and mighty hammer, and exiles him to Earth, as well as sending the hammer to Earth, waiting for one worthy to hold the power of Thor.  This is when we return to New Mexico in the present day and our story really begins.

The time Thor spends on earth is very brief, but much of it is surprisingly hilarious.  Thor’s customs don’t translate well on Earth, and the results create for quite a few laughs.  I almost wish that the film was less action and more comedy, but then it wouldn’t be much of a Superhero flick.  While on earth, he becomes involved in a lightly romantic relationship with young scientist, Jane Foster (played by Natalie Portman).  This relationship seems a bit shoe-horned in, and it even feels like the role could’ve been given to any actress, not to say Natalie Portman was bad.  Her character just wasn’t important enough to make the romance seem vital to the film.  It’s bearable, but its highly cliche, and there doesn’t seem to be any chemistry between her character and Thor to even bring about the love interest.

If only this was as far as it went…

S.H.I.E.L.D. is a very involved group in the Marvel universe, and their involvement is fairly large in the Thor movie.  The moment Thor’s hammer falls to earth, nobody can lift it and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents are there to find out more about the strange object.  Many references to Tony Stark (Iron Man) are made, and even a short cameo of another “would-be Avenger”.  S.H.I.E.L.D.  adds an interesting plot piece of the film, and even has a good amount of action with Thor, who attempts to take back his hammer Mjolnir only to find he is not worthy of his powers.

The film often bounces back and forth between Earth and Asgard, as another conflict arises on Asgard where Odin enters the “Odinsleep” to recuperate.  Thor not being there, Loki ascends to the throne and makes many changes and reveals his true nature of being the films real antagonist, showing that his jealousy of his brother has made him quite spiteful.  The film is full of quite a few plot twists that newcomers will not see coming, and thats something its got going as it’s rare these days when a film can carry a good plot twist.

As time goes on during his stay on Earth, Thor miraculously realizes his faults just in time to make a noble sacrifice, earning his powers back and working towards a climactic ending.  It seems like he learned his lesson a bit quickly, but the film was pretty long so it’s probably a good thing that his time on Earth was short.  During the battle between Thor and Loki, we have a very action packed fight scene, though this is where Tom Hiddleston’s acting disappointed me the most.  He overacted and it was really noticeable, making me wish that he just didn’t talk during the fight.

The film has a variety of special effects, some of which are great while some others are a bit weak looking (the Frost Giants being a good example).  Another thing I found interesting was that while Thor was being exiled, Odin stripped him of his Asgardian armor and what was underneath?  Some clothes that looked like they were picked up at an Abercromie & Fitch.  Or even at one point when Loki visits earth in a dress shirt and tie.  It takes away from the film’s believability and just makes you feel like the filmmakers didn’t pay enough attention to detail.

All and all, the film was enjoyable, and humorous in many parts, even in some parts that were unintentional.  There’s a lot of action to like and even some good family drama.  It’s a good way to make a movie for a character that doesn’t have a typical origin story like the rest of the Marvel cast of heroes, a hero that is based on myths.  It’s the perfect way to introduce the character to moviegoers excited for The Avengers next year.  Speaking of that, make sure to stick around after the credits, you’ll be glad you did (if not a bit confused).  I give Thor a 7.5 out of 10.