Thor

Release Date: May 6, 2011

Watch Date: August 23, 2024

“This epic adventure spans the Marvel universe from present-day Earth to the cosmic realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. As a result, Thor’s father Odin banishes his son to Earth where he is forced to live among humans. From Earth, Thor must make preparations to stop his evil brother Loki from dethroning Odin, seizing power and imposing his villainous rule on all of Asgard. When the darkest forces are sent to invade Earth, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero.”

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   For all that Bob loves ‘Iron Man 2’, I really love Thor. And no, contrary to popular belief it is not because Chris Hemsworth is hot. He might be Bob’s type, and he clearly was, but he’s not really mine. I just really like…not even the story. If I had to reflect on it, I like the retelling of ancient myth.

   As anyone who knows me knows, I love ancient Greek mythology. Love it. I read so many books about it, and modern retellings of the stories, and reinterpretations. It’s my favorite thing. I’ve even written my own that I’m working on self publishing. And while I don’t know much about Norse mythology, throw a pantheon of gods into anything and retell their stories and I’m pretty much sold, hook, line and sinker, with very little effort.

   But there is effort in this. Asgard is beautiful, the costumes are well thought out. The characters very easily reflect their mythological counterparts while making them into more complex, living, breathing characters that have to interact with us mere mortals on Earth. There’s a reimagining of why the Asgardians were on Earth to begin with, requalifying their status as gods. There’s an attempt to weave the ancient Norse stories about frost giants into the narrative. I love that.

   Now, is the romantic interest kind of meh? Yes. They fall in love too quickly, and too unnaturally. Our only other romantic exposure in the MCU thus far has been Stark and Potts, and they have years of backstory and a whole movie where their personalities are developed, and the chemistry between them has time to establish. Thor is on Earth for like…three days.

   I also think S.H.I.E.L.D. isn’t done as well this film. Yes, like in ‘Iron Man 2’ they have more of a role, but what their goal is doesn’t seem as clear. Also, while Black Widow gets an entire movie, Hawkeye shows up in one scene? I mean, he has some good one liners in that scene but come on. Let me get invested in him before ‘The Avengers’ movie too! That’s not fair.

   But Norse gods! Loki! Who doesn’t love Loki? I think, genuinely, he’s the best written character in the MCU. He’s chaotic neutral to a fault. A scared and misunderstood kid who is lashing out at the world, but as he hurts his family, regrets it, nearly every single time. A man wanting his father’s approval and not being able to accept the approval he does get on his father’s terms. Someone struggling with the knowledge they’ve been adopted, after not being told until way too late in life.

   I’m realizing now that there’s a lot more reasons to like ‘Iron Man 2’ than there is to like Thor, but I don’t care. I prefer it. You can decide if you’re Team Bob or Team Doc, and in the end of none of it matters because the first Captain America movie is about to appear on the scene and that is one of my top three favorite movies of all time so the argument between Iron Man and Thor is moot anyways.