MESSAGE IN THE MOVIES

Thor   Rated PG-13

Directed by Kenneth Branagh.  Starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman.

Photo © Paramount Pictures
Movie Review by Rev. Bruce Batchelor Glader

First of all, if you are a practicing Christian who would rather not go to a film whose hero is a Norse god, by all means avoid Thor.  Because Thor is a pagan god.  You have been warned.

But there’s really not much to worry about.  The comic book version of Thor that we encounter in this movie doesn’t really seem to have any divine powers at all.  The most that can be said for him is that he makes the skies thunder.  And, as comic book nerds know, he is part of the Marvel Universe superhero coalition (including Iron Man, Captain America and others) known as The Avengers.  (A film featuring the Avengers is being produced now, with principal filming to take place in Cleveland this August.)

Thor tells the story about how the strong guy with the big hammer came to earth in the first place, and I found it to be pretty entertaining.  In the ethereal world of Asgard, Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and his sons Thor (Hemsworth) and Loki (Tom Hiddleson) have their hands full trying to stave off the advances of the frost giants.  When Thor begins to disrespect his father’s authority, he and his hammer are cast down to earth. Thor is discovered in New Mexico by three astrophysicists (Portman, Stellan Skarsgård and Kat Dennings) and his hammer, stuck in the ground like a ginormous Excalibur, is protected by government officials.  As Thor begins to learn about the ways of the world (and he is a quick study), there will be monsters as well as family to deal with, as well as that hammer to fetch.

Yes, this is about as empty-headed as most comic book films, but I appreciated its family-friendly qualities and easy-going nature.  It reminded me of films like Jason and the Argonauts and the Hercules movies of the 1960s, with just enough of a story to tie the big battle scenes together.  Director Kenneth Branagh brings a Shakespearean gravitas to the scenes of royal intrigue, and the fights are interesting and fun.  The language is very mild, there are no sex scenes or nudity, and Thor learns a lesson or two about humility and sacrifice along the way.

The movie is a bit long at two hours, but I think that most children in grades three and up should enjoy it (the PG-13 rating is for comic book violence alone). 

Pitchfork/Halo Ratings:

Three halos: An entertaining comic book movie with some moral lessons as well as a sense of humor and adventure.

One pitchfork: Cartoon violence, and the sins of jealousy and pride.

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