Thor movie review by Larry Novotny

Thor is not one of the better Marvel Comic turned into live action movie. It has its moments but most of these are when Thor, the God of Thunder, is banished to Earth. This is a comic book. Just sit back, relax and enjoy some summer escapist fare.

Countless centuries ago, there was a great war between the Frost Giants and the Asgardians. Odin (Hopkins), King of Asgard defeats the Frost Giants. To insure peace between the two races through the millennia, Odin takes the Power Casket from the Frost Giants and brings it back to Asgard where it is locked in a guarded vault.

Time passes and peace flourishes throughout the Nine Realms. Two sons of Odin, Thor (Hemsworth) and Loki (Hiddleston) are both worthy to succeed Odin as King of Asgard. Thor is a warrior. Loki has the brains. Odin chooses Thor as his successor but warns his son that he still has much to learn if he is willing to let Odin teach him. Just before Thor's coronation, alarms sound. Asgard is under attack. A giant Defender robot finally thwarts the attack. Odin, having learned from his own mistakes is cautious and suspicious. Thor is outraged. He is certain who perpetrated the attack. He and his friends secretly transport themselves to the Frost Giants realm and wage war. Their attack goes bad and the small band of friends is saved by Odin. Odin can no longer entrust the future of Asgard to Thor. Thor is banished to Earth.

On Earth, Thor runs into Jane Foster (Portman), Erik Selvig (Skarsgard), and Darcy Lewis (Dennings). Actually, it's the other way around, literally. While driving through the desert, they run smack into Thor. The three are scientists researching the possible existence of the theoretical Einstein-Rosen Bridge wormhole. Thor is naked and babbling incoherently bragging about being some great warrior. Foster tazes Thor.

The film really shines during Thor's banishment. Humor abounds as Thor is not acclimated to Earth's customs, like dining and automobiles. He wanders around town trying to get a horse. Thor must get back to his hammer. It is his only link with Asgard. Throughout his trials and tribulations, Thor begins to fall in love with Foster. Life takes a turn for the worse when S.H.I.E.L.D. discovers the mysterious hammer. It doesn't appear to be very heavy but all efforts to raise the hammer prove fruitless. After battling guards, Thor makes his way to the hammer. But he cannot lift it either. Only someone worthy can use the hammer. Thor must prove himself.

On Asgard, the true villain is revealed. Loki poisons Odin with the "Endless Sleep". With Thor banished, Loki names himself King of Asgard. Loki visits with Thor telling him Odin is dead and therefore Thor's banishment cannot be revoked. Thor is stuck on Earth.

The best joke in the film comes when Loki makes his one crucial mistake. Loki transports the Defender robot to Earth to finish off Thor once and for all. When the SHIELD agents see the robot, one of them comments, "Is that something new from Stark?" This is a clear joke relating to Tony Stark/Iron-Man. Knowing his powers are limited by his banishment on Earth, Thor has no way to defeat the robot. There is only one thing to do. Thor sacrifices his life so that Loki will stop the robot and spare humanity. Loki will have none of that. The robot sends Thor flying from a severe blow. A normal man would be smashed into little pieces. Thor is no normal man. Thor's selfless act and his caring for humanity shows that he is worthy to wield the hammer Mjolnir. The hammer begins to wobble then flies into the air coming to rest in Thor's hand. Thor is transformed into his old self complete with his old cape and armor. The Destroyer hasn't a chance.

The background scenic effects in Thor are quite spectacular, especially the opening sequence that sets up the many realms and the kingdom of Asgard that oversees them all. The acting is nothing special. Each actor handles his role appropriately for the story. Even Anthony Hopkins is merely satisfactory.

After the previous Iron-Man and The Incredible Hulk movies and the news that all of these movies are gearing up for the super spectacular The Avengers team-up, Thor ultimately suffers from a feeling that this is merely a setup movie. It is one of the early chapters in a novel designed to do nothing more than set the tone for the future conflict. The post-credit sequence confirms this. The scene shows Loki stealing some mysterious, glowing cube that SHIELD has no idea what it is. All they know is that the cube contains enough energy to power the entire planet indefinitely. Thor could have been much better if the producers were more concerned with making this a stand alone movie. As a summer blockbuster, Thor is still enjoyable and has its own share of surprises and humor, two elements most comic book turned movie miss. Don't take it too serious but enjoy it.