the year: 2011
the genre: fantasy
the cast: Chris Hemsworth (Thor); Natalie Portman (Jane Foster); Anthony Hopkins (Odin); Tom Hiddleston (Loki - although I have to admit that I thought they were calling him "Gnocchi" the entire movie - but maybe that was because I was hungry.)
the plot: The warrior Thor is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard by his father Odin for his arrogance and sent to Earth to live among humans. Falling in love with scientist Jane Foster teaches Thor much-needed lessons, and his new-found strength comes into play as a villain from his homeland sends dark forces toward Earth.
This is the first "new" movie I've watched in quite a while. Oh, how I wish I had been watching it with Blaine, Logan and Scott, et. al - it reminded me of Fantastic Four, but funnier. If you take it as good clean fun instead of as a serious superhero flick, it's pretty enjoyable.
I laughed out loud several times - a nice mixture of places that were meant to be funny and places that really weren't. I mean, there were some really excellent lines: "Is it madness? Is it? IS IT?!" and "NO! I'll die a warrior's death! Stories will be told of this day!"
See what I mean?
listen for: "Is there a Renaissance Fair in town?"
extra bonus points: if you know what images the end titles were based on.
don't miss: how the locals respond to the appearance of Thor's hammer (Mjolnir).
did you know: Director Kenneth Branagh has been a fan of "Thor" since childhood. When Marvel Studios selected Branagh as the director, they sent him the complete collection of the Marvel Thor comics series as reference material for the character.
did you also know: Anthony Hopkins signed on as Odin despite never reading a "Thor" comic or knowing anything about the Thor mythology. It was the concept of the father and son relationship that intrigued him about the role.
also don't miss: Agent Coulson - or as Thor calls him "son of Coul" - once Thor gets his power back.
watch for: my favorite scene: "I need a horse!"
