"THOR"

Hello Everyone: Man I've just got to get out in the blogging world more often. This E-Mail "Hell" is destroying a large part of my computer time. Oh well. So, Last year I took my then barely three year old phenomenal grandson, Gavyn to see his first movie..."THOR." Everyone said "Don't take him. He'll never sit through it. He'll make it hard for you to enjoy the movie..." Well, I gambled...and won. We went in the afternoon on a Friday, the first day of release. You see I can be as crafty as Loki for I knew afternoons were nap time for the little prince so he would naturally have a lower energy level and maybe even fall asleep. I would get to enjoy the movie that I've been waiting forever for and hopefully he would to, at least until he fell asleep. Thor and I go back quite a ways as I started reading his adventures in marvel comics in the mid sixties when I started collecting comics. I always liked Vikings (proof is that I still have a number of the old Marx "Warriors of the World" Viking figures from the sixties. The tales of Asgard were the stories of the gods the Vikings worshiped. I think my first issue was #155 but by the early seventies I had filled in the gaps with almost every issue down to #103. So, as I said, I'd read years of Thor's tales long before seeing the movie. Anyway, we go inside the theater and get our 3-D glasses and head to the darkened auditorium. After a few previews the movie started and we donned our glasses. I'll tell you one thing, I was completely amazed. The beginning takes place here on Earth where a team of Scientists led by Jane foster are trying to unravel the secrets behind some strange astronomical occurrences. Suddenly, while chasing an event for a closer look they run into a man that seemingly comes out of nowhere. This leaves the viewer wondering how this story is going to unfold. Suddenly there is a narrative from the all-father, Odin and the scene changes to Asgard, home of the Norse Gods. From there we get spectacular views of the wonders of Asgard (which are truly stunning)and the history of the Gods battles with the frost Giants on Earth itself. Then the story settles in a bit about life on Asgard after the war. We are then introduced to Thor and his "brother" Loki, the god of mischief. They are sort of in a friendly rivalry but the movie portrays them as kind of being fond of each other at that point. Then, during a ceremony that would crown Thor as the new king of Asgard, a trio of Frost Giants appears in Odin's tropy room to claim back the source of the Frost Giant's power. Then we are introduced to the dreaded Destroyer, A metal Golem giant with incredible power. In no time at all it blasts the three Frost Giants into smithereens (you want to know what smithereens are, then watch this movie). Thor is mad that his ceremony was cut short. The mischievous Loki talks him into attacking the Frost Giants in their own world. That is when we are introduced to the Fair Lady Sif and the warriors three; The voluminous Volstagg, Hogun the grim, and Fandral the dashing. What early Thor story wouldn't be complete without these great supporting characters. They go to Jotunheim to battle the Frost Giants. I was amazed at the set design of the frozen world of Jutenheim. This movie was getting better every minute. There is a big battle that includes this immensely huge monster. Suddenly Odin appears and darts away with the misplaced Asgardian youths. There is a battle of words between Thor and the all-father, ODIN. In the end Thor says the wrong thing and Odin strips him of his power, banishing him top the Earth as a "Human mortal!" Before going on I have to say that the idea of the Bifrost bridge was ramped up a bit for the movie and it was simply amazing. I loved it. It's like technology meets magic. You just have to see it. It and the surrounding vistas with waterfalls dumping water into seemingly endless space filled with colorful galaxies is just breathtaking. Anyway, Thor arrives just in time...to be hit by Jane Fosters van. Now we've gone full cicle back to the beginning. What brilliant script writing. The whole movie was very well done. I found no flaws in the script at all. In fact, the pacing was smooth, there was just enough comedic scenes to lighten up some of the intense drama of the story. I was finding myself liking this original vision of Thor very much. It was all new but never strayed too far from the source material. There was a lot more to the story but why spoil it for those who haven't seen it. This story get's better as it goes along. By the time it was over I found myself already wanting more. It looks like I'll get my wish since "The Avengers" was so phenomenally successful. Oh, by the way, before I forget, Gavyn stayed awake through the entire movie and loved every minute of it. We went and got him a foam Thor hammer as well as figures of Loki and Thor. This was absolutely my favorite movie of last year, hands down. It is probably also my favorite Marvel movie though I surely have liked many of the others. I give "Thor" a full Four Screams on the Creature Scale. If you get a chance, check it out. Have a Great Day!!! The "Creature"