MasterChugs Theater: ‘Thor’

Verily! Thor doth cometh to smite thee! Okay, so the Thor in Kenneth Branagh’s big-screen version of the Marvel Comics character doesn’t actually talk like a reject from a Renaissance Fair, which is a shame, as that might have been hilarious. Instead, Thor and his buddies, including the Warriors Three (or, er, Four) talk pretty much like you and I, except with a little more English. Literally. That is not a bad thing.

Chris Hemsworth stars as Thor, the Asgardian God of Thunder, though he’s never really mentioned as being a god, just a dude with a sweet hammer that can do really cool things like whip up lightning, tornadoes, and help him fly. It can also be wielded by only the most “worthy” of wielders, which makes you wonder how Odin ever gave it to Thor, since when we first meet him, Thor is every bit the thoughtless rogue his much more sublime brother Loki believes him to be. On the day of Thor’s coronation to the throne, some unsavory Frost Giants break into Asgard and cause mischief. Thor, never one to take an invasion lying down, decides to retaliate by attacking the Frost Giants’ home world, starting up a war that has been in a state of limbo for centuries or thereabouts.

As punishment for his misguided heroics, Thor is cast out to Earth, but not before he’s stripped off his powers and precious hammer. Now a mere mortal, Thor meets spunky scientist Jane Foster, who keeps broadsiding him with her jeep, and her professor/mentor and unpaid intern Darcy, the trio having been scouring the New Mexico nights for signs of wormholes. When Thor drops into Jane’s lap, it proves her theories mostly correct. Suffice it to say, soon the super spy agency SHIELD, led by Agent Coulson has shown up to boss people around. Meanwhile, back at Asgard, Loki spins his sinister plans, taking down Odin, and assuming the crown. He does this incredibly easily, which is both silly and amusing, but does the job of giving Thor a big ol’ threat to combat.

The hiring of Kenneth Branagh for the gig of director was probably as out-of-left-field as you’ll find in recent years; however, it’s also one of the best decisions that’s been made in recent times. Thor has all the brawn, humor, and superhero action you’d want from a superhero movie. It also brings a lot of tragedy to the table, with much of Loki’s machinations spurned on by that most ancient of squabbles, sibling rivalry.

Which makes the casting of Anthony Hopkins as Odin a no-brainer. Odin is full of gravitas and is one emotionally heavy dude, helping to make the movie’s twisted family dynamics believable. Tom Hiddleston is equally fantastic as Loki, bringing a sly menace to what could have been stock villainy. Thor may have all the brawn and bravado, but you do believe that Loki, though less physically imposing, is every bit his equal when the chips are done, thus setting up a pretty intriguing clash for years to come.

Thor is the second-to-last movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe before The Avengers and does a good job of fitting in with the already established continuity. But it also gets things rolling for future installments. Keen observers will even notice the introduction of Hawkeye. If you’re patient you’ll wait until the credits finish rolling and get treated to a scene teasing what’s to come in the next movies.

As far as origin stories go, Thor is one of the best, right next to Iron Man. It takes the appropriate amount of time to build up its characters, heroes and villains alike, and sets things up for the future in a satisfying way. You don’t have to be a comic book fan to enjoy this amazing movie.