By Todd Matthy
Between the Thor’s, Green Lantern’s, and Captain America’s of this summer it seems a new X-Men movie has been overlooked. After two blockbusters, an average third installment, a prequel some consider a disappointment, and the lack of “big name” X-Men like Cyclops, Storm, and Wolverine, it’s easy to see why many have written off X-Men: First Class before they’ve seen it. So does X-Men: First Class save the franchise or bury it? The answer is it does. (more…)
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.
Art by Olivier Coipel.
By Todd Matthy
Ralph Macchio is not the “Karate Kid.” He is a Senior Editor at Marvel Comics who oversaw Frank Miller’s run on “Daredevil” and Walter Simonson’s run on “Thor.” In addition to these acclaimed runs, Ralph edited the wildly successful “Ultimate” line, which re-launched Marvel’s greatest heroes for modern times, and Stephen King’s “Dark Tower” comics. Today, Ralph has returned to an old friend, who happens to be Marvel’s next movie star, Thor. Ralph is editing the upcoming “Mighty Thor” book and “Journey into Mystery.” With the impending release of the movie, I talked with Ralph about Thor, why he’s important, why you should see the movie, why you should be reading Thor, and what it’s like to return to Thor after such a lengthy absence. (more…)
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Review: Captain America
Posted: July 22, 2011 in Comics, Commentary, Marvel Comics, Movies, Reviews, ThorTags: Captain America, Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving, Marvel Comics, Marvel Movies, nick fury, samuel jackson, Stanley Tucci, Steve Rogers, the Avengers, The Howling Commandos, the Red Skull, Tommy Lee Jones
Let’s get down to business Captain America is the best movie I’ve seen all summer. Captain America is the best Marvel movie since Iron Man. It has the heart of the first Superman movie with Indiana Jones’ spirit of adventure. Want to know why and why you HAVE to stay after the credits? Read on. (more…)