Thor (4½ Stars)

This is the fourth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, released in May 2011. Stan Lee's cameo is amusing. The scene lasts for 20 seconds, but we only see his face for two seconds. He's a man trying to tug Thor's hammer with his truck, and he doesn't even notice when his truck's rear bumper breaks off under the strain.

I have a question for fans of Thor as portrayed in Marvel comics: is this scene accurate? Thor's hammer can't be lifted because of a spell placed on it by Odin, not because it's heavy. No person can lift it, but a truck should be able to pull it. Am I correct?

This is Thor's hammer as described in "Norse Mythology for Dummies". You can click on the picture to enlarge it if you want to read more.

I have to praise the Marvel Studios for their casting choices. I can't think of anyone who would have been more suitable than Chris Hemsworth to play the part of Thor. He's muscular and tough, but not overly macho.

The addition of Stellan Skarsgard to the regular characters was another good choice. We need a modern day Norseman to link the Marvel films to the ancient mythology. He's not a character from the comics, but he's an ideal addition to the film.

Not all the casting was correct. Idris Elba was cast as Asgard's gatekeeper Heimdall. That's an unforgivable blunder. Didn't they notice that he has the wrong skin colour to play a Norse God? I doubt the Vikings even knew that dark skinned people existed.

Is Natalie Portman the right actress to play Thor's love interest Jane Foster? That depends on which Jane Foster you're talking about. In the comics she was a nurse, but in the film she's an astrophysicist. Okay, I get it. It's the 21st Century and Marvel wants to show that women can be just as intelligent as men. That's true, but is it really necessary to change the story? A nurse might not have a PhD title, but she's just as valuable to society as an astrophysicist, and probably even more hard working. Natalie Portman wouldn't be a good nurse, but she's right for the role of an astrophysicist.

Kat Dennings is ideal to play Jane Foster's intern Darcy Lewis. I think she would have been better suited to play Jane Foster. It's just a shame she doesn't wear a yellow and red costume.

Clark Gregg returns as Phil Coulson in his biggest role so far. He's responsible for protecting the hammer when Thor tries to retrieve it. He's truly Mr. Cool, or as Thor calls him, Son of Cool.

The MCU's slow, steady progression from film to film is excellent, something never previously done in film history. There's never been a franchise like it. DC can only look on and grind their teeth in jealousy.

Success Rate:  + 1.0

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