Thor is a movie about Darcy Lewis.
Played by the inimitable Kat Dennings (Dollface) with self-effacing wit and charm, Darcy is a political science student who gets wrapped up in a drama from beyond the stars. Assisting a duo of astrophysicists for a college credit, she witnesses a Norse god fall to Earth. Soon, mythical battles threaten their small town, while government men-in-black abscond with the team’s hard-earned research. Can Darcy navigate the turbulent waters of revenge, conspiracy, and interplanetary love to secure the college credit she needs?
Sorry, you’re saying Thor is not a movie about Darcy Lewis? That she’s really a tertiary character at best?
Let’s agree to disagree, but I’ll humor you.
Thor is a movie about Loki Laufeyson.
Loki is the backup prince to the mythical Asgardian throne, but little does he know he belongs to another kingdom entirely, stolen as a baby in an act of political humiliation. Forced to watch his selfish, warlike brother take the throne, Loki brings about said brother’s exile to Earth through heroic wit and cunning, taking the throne as a wise, thoughtful ruler. His rule is not to last, however, as the favored sibling re-usurps him in the end. It is a tragic tale of ambitions thwarted.
What? Hm… My assistant is telling me that Thor is not a movie about Loki Laufeyson. That he is supposed to be… the villain?
Fine. Fine.
Thor is a movie about Thor!
In this movie, Thor has two modes. When he’s in Asgard, he’s insufferable, formal, bloodthirsty, and belligerent. On Earth, he’s a charming, Renaissance Faire fish-out-of-water with the most adorable unassuming smile. I’m not saying his character contradicted itself; I think it’s cool to think both sides could coexist in a person! But can you tell I enjoyed one of them a lot more than the other?
For this movie, my subjective rating of personal enjoyment is…
Thor – 2/5 STARS!
I simply wish it stayed more small-scale.
In my memory of past viewings, Thor was a charming movie because it was very small-scale and personal. It was about Thor being humbled by his exile to a small town and finding both his heroic spirit and true love. I wish that was really the focus of the movie! I found the big battle scenes, like the absurd massacre of Frost Giants at the beginning, quite uninteresting. Same with much of the Asgardian drama.
My two rays of light in this experience were (can you guess?) slick, savvy Loki (I love that he showed up in an Earth-style suit!) and cute, irreverent Darcy. Honestly, I think it might have worked wonderfully if Darcy was Thor’s love interest! I didn’t get much personality or chemistry from Jane, whereas Darcy has the kind of jokey self-consciousness that makes for such a darling romantic heroine. I also love the way she openly admires Thor’s hunkitude.
This movie didn’t have much that I liked, but I did enjoy some aspects quite a bit! 2 stars!
