In 2008, Marvel Studios took a big risk with the release of Iron Man. The film, being Marvel’s first self-produced movie, attempted to introduce a second-tier character to general moviegoers. Thanks to a solid story and Robert Downey Jr.’s electrifying portrayal of Tony Stark, the film propelled the Iron Man character to world-renowned status, and garnered a 2010 sequel. Marvel Studios now hopes to make lightning strike twice with the release of Thor.
The film revolves around Thor (played by Chris Hemsworth), the god of thunder and arrogant heir to the throne of Asgard. Just as Thor is about to assume the throne, his kingly ceremony is interrupted by Asgard’s enemies – the frost giants of Jotunheim. Thor, his sly brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and a few pals make their way to the frosty realm of the giants to deal out hammer wielding justice, defying the orders of his father and current king, Odin (an almost unrecognizable Anthony Hopkins). When Thor’s actions ignite an ancient war, Odin exiles Thor to earth in hopes that he will learn humility, which leaves Loki to gain the throne.
Thor lands in the middle of the New Mexico desert, where he is found by astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and her two colleagues (Stellen Skarsgard and Kat Dennings). Thor attempts to retrieve Mjolnir, the hammer that acts as the source of his power, but discovers that he is no longer worthy to lift it. Thor must change if he is ever to return to Asgard and stop Loki, who has arranged some devious plans of his own.
The question plaguing the release of the film was a glaring one: Would it be able to blend with Marvel’s more “realistic” properties? Let’s face it, a man inventing an iron suit is far more believable than Norse gods, frost giants, and multiple realms. Thankfully, director Kennth Branagh is able to pull it all off with ease. The film find a firm balance between the mythology of the comic book and the brand of humour and realism found in Iron Man. Thor is reasonably out of place on earth, and it shows, especially with a memorable scene in a diner.
The Asgardian scenes are also handled extraordinarily well, and Branagh’s Shakespearean experience shines through. Not only is Asgard visually stunning, but the familial scenes between Odin, Thor, and Loki are quite heavy and emotional. Hopkins is perfect as the all-knowing Odin, and Hemsworth gives a commanding performance as the arrogant Thor. The standout performance, however, goes to Hiddleston’s portrayal of Loki. Similar to Heath Ledger’s Joker, Loki is a mystery, and you can never tell when he is lying, telling the truth, or what his motivations are. Is he jealous of his brother? Does he want his father’s attention? Is he aiming to take over Asgard? Is he doing all of this for fun? It could be all of those, or none of them. The fact that you can’t tell makes the mystery that much deeper.
The film isn’t without its flaws, however. While the Asgardian sequences are very strong, Thor’s time on earth is rather short, and it seems a little unrealistic that he would learn his lesson within the span of a few days. A little more time on earth might have solidified the reasoning that Thor could learn the error of his ways during exile. Portman’s role is also a little stringy as the love interest, and it’s equally difficult to buy that she would fall for Thor in such a short timespan.
Despite these minor problems, Thor manages to be a thrilling and intriguing adventure, and has a whole plethora of possibilities should a sequel ever arise. There are plenty of small nods to Thor’s upcoming role in The Avengers, including a very interesting post-credits sequence. The combination of action, real-world and fantasy elements, and a distinct sense of humanity is enough to engage comic fans and general audiences alike.
Stephen Harper is slowly losing the political war. He hasn’t exactly put up a fight, either.
Out of all the different genres of music, punk is accepted as the kind that never wants to grow up. Quick tempos and brisk chord structures act as the symbols for youth, rebellion, and raw emotion. However, in recent years, bands such as Green Day and My Chemical Romance have taken these themes and fused them with contemporary concepts, developing a new sound in which to characterize punk. Sum 41 are looking to join the club with their fifth studio album, Screaming Bloody Murder.
Published on 3/30/11 in 
Are you tired of songs about heartbreak and California? Tired of the names Bieber, Cyrus or Jonas? Are you tired of same songs playing on the radio every 20 minutes? Fear not, music listener, for here is a list of songs to help you escape repetitive, catchy, soul-sucking radio pop singles.
The folks at Sony had a lot to live up to at their E3 presentation after Nintendo set the bar surprisingly high. After finally getting the ball rolling with the launch of the PlayStation 3 slim console in 2009, Sony has been on a fantastic incline, and they made sure to pull out all stops with some impressive reveals that will keep them in the running with Nintendo and Microsoft. Here are the best of the best.
Ever year, it seems almost impossible to please Nintendo fans at E3, but this year, the company took a step away from its fitness and family-related titles to launch several new first party games. Nintendo has relied on its core franchises for years; memorable flagship characters and gameplay have kept the company alive and kicking. Mario Kart Wii has sold over 22 million copies, and the more recent New Super Mario Bros. Wii has sold 14 million copies. Nintendo was keeping their industry dominance in mind with their demonstration at E3 this year. Here are some of the highlights.
