Thor

This is a re-post from the day Blogger crashed. I thought it was lost, but found it hiding in the drafts.


As a kid, I wasn't a huge fan of comic books. Not because I didn't like reading them, but because being caught reading them by the nuns or my parents wasn't worth the effort.  When I wanted to read comics, I'd hang out with Himself and read whatever comics he had depending on the phase he was going through.



I've been thrilled with Marvel/Stan Lee bringing the Marvel creations to the big screen. For the most part, I've enjoyed the movies and sequels. (Wasn't too thrilled with Fantastic Four, but didn't like the comics either.) The angsty teen heroes aren't really my cuppa. Maybe it's an age thing. I just want to smack them upside the head and yell at them to grow up. So far, Iron Man has been my favorite hero. I liked the fact he was older, loved that he was a smartass, seemed to have the maturity to change his image, but his ego got in the way.



When I heard Thor was the next release, I was anxious to see it, and I got my wish. I love the stories based on Roman, Greek, and Norse myths.  A disobedient son with a healthy dose of hubris banished from his home by his father. Classic. I wasn't disappointed with Thor and in 3D to boot. The 3D effect didn't have silly schtick kinds of things jumping out from the screen to make the audience jump. It felt more like you were in the middle of the action.



Casting of the three major players Thor, Loki, and Odin was dead on. Anthony Hopkins (Odin) has such a quiet, commanding presence and when he raises his voice you know he is not pleased. Tom Hiddleston as Loki was the perfect whiny, self-serving villian. Chris Hemsworth is Thor, right down to his bright yellow hair, beard, and eyebrows. In his costume, he looked like he jumped off the four color printing comic book page. And let's face it, the guy is rip...er...easy on the eyes. I liked the attention to his character not making him a modern hero, but keeping his chivalrous manners and bravado dealing with his enemies. His character arc makes a compelling story. Banished from Asgaard, separated from his magic hammer from which he draws his power, he is bereft of all he has, and who he is. Having lost everything important to him, Thor has nothing to lose. The strength from within is his true source of power, because you don't need the feather to fly, Dumbo.



Since I couldn't remember the comic book storyline, I didn't have to worry about the comparison or which was the better medium, print or film. I had to ask Himself if the storyline was true to the comic.  He said the changes weren't bad.



Thor has enough action, special effects, and a romance to keep everyone happy. An open-ended conclusion means a sequel, and keep your eyes peeled for Stan Lee's cameo.



Have you seen Thor, yet?