Co-Host: Adam Hitchcock, The Streaming Circuit podcast
Cast:
Kenneth Branagh, Director
Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz, and Don Payne; Screenplay
Chris Hemsworth as Thor
Natalie Portman as Jane Foster
Tom Hiddleston as Loki
Stellan Skarsgård as Erik Selvig
Kat Dennings as Darcy Lewis
Clark Gregg as Phil Coulson
Colm Feore as Laufey
Ray Stevenson as Volstagg
Idris Elba as Heimdall
Jaimie Alexander as Sif
Rene Russo as Frigga
Anthony Hopkins as Odin
Tadanobu Asano portrays Hogun
Budget:
$150 million
Box Office and Ranking:
#26 among all MCU films
Worldwide box office: $449.3 million
Total domestic box office: $181 million
Domestic opening weekend: $65.7 million
Critic Scores:
RT: 77%
Metacritic: 57
Letterboxd: 2.8/5
Plot Summary: In the realm of Asgard, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the impulsive and arrogant son of King Odin (Anthony Hopkins), is next in line for the throne. However, his reckless actions and thirst for battle lead to a confrontation with the Frost Giants, ancient enemies of Asgard. Determined to teach Thor a lesson in humility, Odin strips him of his divine powers and casts him down to Earth.
Crash-landing in New Mexico, Thor finds himself far away from his homeland and stripped of his mighty hammer, Mjolnir. Confused and out of his element, he encounters a team of astrophysicists led by Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and her mentor Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård). As they attempt to unravel the mystery behind Thor's arrival, they come to realize that they are not alone in their quest.
Back in Asgard, Thor's banishment sparks a power struggle within the kingdom. Thor's cunning brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) seizes the opportunity to ascend to the throne, while Odin falls into a deep slumber. As the balance between realms becomes increasingly unstable, Thor must prove himself worthy and regain his powers to stop Loki's malevolent plans from bringing ruin to both Asgard and Earth.
Directed by Kenneth Branagh, "Thor" strikes a perfect balance between grand spectacle and intimate character moments. Branagh's Shakespearean background is evident in the film's rich storytelling and complex relationships. The performances by the ensemble cast are top-notch, with Hemsworth embodying the essence of Thor's larger-than-life personality, and Hiddleston delivering a nuanced portrayal of Loki's internal conflicts. "Thor" is not just another superhero film; it is a mythological odyssey that explores themes of redemption, family, and sacrifice. It lays the foundation for future installments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe while also standing tall as a compelling standalone adventure. By blending Norse mythology with contemporary storytelling, "Thor" captures the imagination and sets the stage for an epic saga that will resonate with audiences for years to come.
Did You Know?:
The final choice for the role of Thor came down to brothers Chris Hemsworth and Liam Hemsworth. Chris found it funny: "We both came all the way over here from Australia and ended up battling against each other." He, however, bore no ill-will towards Liam, claiming he was rooting for him to get the role.
(at around 47 mins) Dr. Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård) mentions a comrade who got mixed up with S.H.I.E.L.D., whom he described as "a pioneer in gamma radiation." This alludes to Bruce Banner, whose experiments in gamma radiation mutated him into The Incredible Hulk (2008). A deleted scene also has him mention Hank Pym, from Ant-Man (2015).
According to director Sir Kenneth Branagh, the closing credits sequence was based on images from the Hubble Space Telescope, and took eighteen months to create.
Best Lines:
Thor: [walking into a pet shop] I need a horse!
Pet Store Clerk: We don't have horses. Just dogs, cats, birds.
Thor: Then give me one of those large enough to ride.
Thor: You know, I had it all backwards. I had it all wrong.
Erik Selvig: It's not a bad thing finding out that you don't have all the answers. You start asking the right questions.
Thor: For the first time in my life, I have no idea what I'm supposed to do.
Erik Selvig: Anyone who's ever going to find his way in this world, has to start by admitting he doesn't know...
Odin: [enchants Mjolnir] Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of THOR!
Thor: This mortal form has grown weak. I need sustenance!
The Stan Lee Rubric:
Legacy: 4.5
Impact/Significance: 6
Novelty: 5.5
Classic-ness: 4.5
Rewatchability: 3.5
Audience Score: 7.95 (83% Google, 76% RT)
Total: 31.95
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