Todd Matthy.com

By Todd Matthy

Marvel’s done it again. Since the appearance of a hammer after the closing credits of last summer’s Iron Man 2, anticipation has been high for the arrival of a certain god of thunder to the big screen. So does Thor live up to the hype? Thanks to a charismatic cast and the direction of one Kenneth Branagh, it does.

The story of Thor is a story about a father and son. Thor begins in the past with Odin (Anthony Hopkins), King of Asgard, narrating to his young sons Thor and Loki, the story of how he defeated the Frost Giants and brought peace between the mythical realms of Asgard and Jotunheim. From there we move to the present where during a lavish ceremony, Odin proclaims that Thor (Chris Hemsworth) will inherit his throne. Unfortunately, the ceremony is interrupted when a group of Frost Giants infiltrates Asgard and attempt to steal an ancient weapon called the Casket of Ancient Winters. His big day ruined, Thor and his friends Sif (Jamie Alexander), and the Warrior’s Three, Fandral (Josh Dallas), Hogun (Tadanobu Asano), and Volstagg (Ray Stevenson) go to Jotunheim to confront the Frost Giants. After being called a princess, Thor attacks their leader, Laufey (Colm Feore), with his hammer forcing Odin’s intervention and reigniting an ancient war. Angered by his son’s arrogance and foolishness, Odin banishes Thor to Earth, casting an enchantment upon his hammer that none may hold it unless they are worthy.

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