Thor (2011)

Last updated:
October 20, 2024

Detailed Summary

The Prologue: The Fall of Asgard

The movie opens with Odin (Anthony Hopkins), the king of Asgard, narrating the history of the realm. He explains how the Asgardians defeated the Frost Giants of Jotunheim, led by Laufey (Colm Feore), and seized the Casket of Ancient Winters.

Thor’s Coronation and Banishment

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is about to be crowned king, but the ceremony is interrupted by a Frost Giant intrusion. Against Odin’s wishes, Thor, accompanied by his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and friends Sif (Jaimie Alexander) and the Warriors Three (Ray Stevenson, Tadanobu Asano, and Josh Dallas), travels to Jotunheim to confront Laufey. This reckless act reignites the war, leading Odin to strip Thor of his powers and banish him to Earth, sending Mjolnir, his hammer, with him.

Thor on Earth

Thor lands in New Mexico, where he meets astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), her mentor Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård), and assistant Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings). Initially bewildered, Thor learns humility and human ways while forming a bond with Jane. Meanwhile, Mjolnir lands in the desert and becomes the subject of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s interest, led by Agent Coulson (Clark Gregg).

Loki’s Deception

Back in Asgard, Loki discovers he is actually Laufey’s son, adopted by Odin after the war. Loki plots to take the throne and allows the Frost Giants to invade Asgard to kill Odin. As he enacts his plan, Thor, now mortal, attempts to retrieve Mjolnir but finds himself unworthy.

The Battle in New Mexico

S.H.I.E.L.D. captures Jane’s research, prompting Thor to infiltrate their base. When Loki sends the Destroyer to kill Thor, he sacrifices himself to save his friends, proving his worthiness. Mjolnir returns to him, restoring his powers. Thor defeats the Destroyer and returns to Asgard.

The Climactic Battle in Asgard

Thor confronts Loki, who plans to destroy Jotunheim to prove his worthiness to Odin. After a fierce battle, Thor destroys the Bifrost Bridge to stop Loki, seemingly sacrificing his chance to return to Jane. Odin intervenes, and Loki, feeling betrayed, lets go of the bridge and falls into the abyss.

Movie Ending

The film ends with Thor mourning Loki’s apparent death and confessing to Odin that he is not ready to be king. On Earth, Jane continues her research to find a way to reach Thor, while Loki is revealed to be alive, plotting his next move.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes, there is a post-credits scene where Dr. Selvig meets Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Fury shows him the Tesseract, hinting at its immense power. Unbeknownst to Selvig, Loki is controlling him, setting up events for “The Avengers” (2012).

Type of Movie

“Thor” is a superhero film that blends action, fantasy, and mythology. It is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Cast

Chris Hemsworth as Thor
Natalie Portman as Jane Foster
Tom Hiddleston as Loki
Anthony Hopkins as Odin
Stellan Skarsgård as Dr. Erik Selvig
Kat Dennings as Darcy Lewis
Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson
Idris Elba as Heimdall
Jaimie Alexander as Sif
Colm Feore as Laufey

Film Music and Composer

The score is composed by Patrick Doyle. The music blends classical orchestration with modern cinematic elements, enhancing the epic and otherworldly atmosphere of Asgard and the grounded reality of Earth.

Filming Locations

Santa Fe, New Mexico: The small town where Thor lands and many Earth scenes are filmed.
Los Angeles, California: Various studio and location shoots for Earth scenes.
Norway: Used for its stunning landscapes to represent parts of Asgard.

These locations help contrast the divine and mythological Asgard with the mundane reality of Earth.

Awards and Nominations

Saturn Awards: Won Best Fantasy Film and Best Supporting Actor (Tom Hiddleston).
Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films: Nominated for Best Actor (Chris Hemsworth) and Best Director (Kenneth Branagh).

Behind the Scenes Insights

Kenneth Branagh was chosen as the director for his expertise in Shakespearean drama, bringing a unique depth to the characters.
Chris Hemsworth underwent extensive training to build the physique required for Thor.
Tom Hiddleston originally auditioned for Thor but was cast as Loki after showcasing his range.

Inspirations and References

Norse Mythology: The film draws heavily from Norse myths, adapting the characters and stories for a modern audience.
Marvel Comics: Based on the character Thor created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby, first appearing in “Journey into Mystery” #83 in 1962.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

The Blu-ray release includes several deleted scenes, primarily expanding on character relationships and backstories, but there are no significant alternate endings.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Comic Adaptation: While the film closely follows Thor’s origin story from the comics, it modernizes and simplifies certain elements for cinematic pacing and coherence.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Thor’s Banishment: Odin strips Thor of his powers and banishes him to Earth.
Thor’s Attempt to Retrieve Mjolnir: Thor finds himself unworthy of lifting Mjolnir.
Battle with the Destroyer: Thor sacrifices himself, regains his powers, and defeats the Destroyer.
Climactic Battle on the Bifrost Bridge: Thor confronts Loki and destroys the bridge to save Jotunheim.

Iconic Quotes

“I am Thor, son of Odin!” – Thor
“I need a horse!” – Thor
“Do you want me to take him down, or would you rather send in more guys for him to beat up?” – Agent Coulson
“Brother, whatever I have done to wrong you, I am truly sorry.” – Thor

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The Infinity Gauntlet appears briefly in Odin’s vault, hinting at future MCU plotlines.
Clint Barton (Hawkeye) makes a cameo during Thor’s attempt to retrieve Mjolnir.
References to Bruce Banner and Tony Stark in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s discussions.

Trivia

Chris Hemsworth’s brother, Liam Hemsworth, was also a top contender for the role of Thor.
Director Kenneth Branagh’s background in Shakespearean drama influenced the film’s dialogue and character dynamics.
The town of “Puente Antiguo” translates to “Old Bridge,” symbolizing the connection between Asgard and Earth.

Why Watch?

“Thor” is a visually stunning film that introduces a major character in the MCU. It blends mythology with modern superhero elements, offering an engaging story, compelling characters, and a mix of action, humor, and drama.

Director’s Other Movies

Henry V (1989)
Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
Hamlet (1996)
Murder on the Orient Express (2017)
Artemis Fowl (2020)