Thor (2011) is so different than anything we’ve seen so far. After three movies about science, technology, and more science and technology, Marvel presents a fantasy film. The humans in the film are still very science/technology-based, but we audience members are introduced to other worlds. We learn about Asgard and their battle with the Ice Giants. Thor has a humility arc. Odin notices how arrogant and, quite frankly, genocidal his child is and banishes him to Earth sans powers. While on Earth, Thor learns humility from some humans, but first, he smashes things and punches people. In the end, he has to face off with his brother and commits yet another selfless act by destroying the Bi-Frost. This act awakens Odin. He shows up right as the battle is ending to remind us all that he is literally the worst parent ever. More on that later.
Kenneth Branagh’s directing is so much fun and points out one of the really cool things that Marvel does. They go with some directors that you would not expect. The angle shots that Branagh uses help make the film feel different from the previous MCU films. Unfortunately, Branagh did not return to the MCU as a director but did provide some voice work in Infinity War (2018). It is also funny to think that Hiddleston and Hemsworth were considered unknowns at the time.
Quick Hits
Remember Thor’s blond eyebrows? HAHAHA
Kat Dennings is very funny.
Thor learning how to human is also very funny (ANOTHER!).
Hawkeye Cameo. Not really needed, but they got him in there before the Avengers. His character has just one scene.
Stan Lee’s cameo is as a man trying to lift Thor’s hammer in the desert.
Agent Sitwell AKA Agent HYRDA
Bruce Banner Reference
Guess who’s back? Back Again. Coulson’s back. Tell a friend.
Let’s get to the real meat and potatoes of this story. Loki is the best villain introduced to this point and, perhaps, the best MCU villain to date. There is some incredible acting from Hiddleston during the scene that he learns who he really is. His whole performance is outstanding. Loki goes on to have one of the best character arcs in the whole saga but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Meanwhile, Odin keeps pulling some Odin crap. He is literally the worst father. He raises three genocidal children. He imprisons two of them, banishes two of them, and does nothing to comfort his emotionally distressed son. He gets into a screaming match with Thor twice before banishing him to Earth. He just screams at Loki. Then, when Loki confronts him about his true parentage, Odin just goes to sleep. He wakes up just in time to deny any affection or understanding for his son who decides that it’s better to drop into a wormhole than go home with his dad. Odin is the worst. Thor says he’s a good father later. LIES. Odin is horrible.
The film is entertaining and has a series of fun character arcs. Thor grows up throughout the film. In the beginning, he believes his abilities give him authority over others. In the end, he learns that his abilities make him responsible for the wellbeing of the universe.