Thor for Beginners

Thor, what is he good for!?

Absolutely nothin’*

Actually probably quite a lot.  Thor is the first real risk Marvel are taking.  After the success of Spiderman you may have noticed the increase in popularity of Marvel related film titles.  This includes Spiderman, Iron Man, and the Incredible Hulk**.  What makes Thor so different is that this time Marvel are taking a gamble by merging their super stories together to prep up the Avengers film, which will have a super league of super heroes from the Marvel universe. 

Thor is the first real risk in achieving this.  Let’s face it we’re all familiar with Iron Man, Hulk and Spiderman from Saturday morning cartoon shows or word of mouth.  Thor however never really struck with us.

So who is Thor you may ask?  You may also ask why is he talking about Thor? Everyone knows who he is!  Well no, they don’t. Never fear, Movie Cake is here!  Beneath are some awesome bits and pieces you can impress your friends with, and to give you some background on the universe that is Thor!

• Thor is a based on Norse mythology.  In the film and comics he is the god of Thunder in the realm of Asgard.  However, in the Marvel universe there is also Hercules who is from Greek Mythology so don’t expect any subliminal Norse religious preachings.
  
  
• Thor was created as Marvel’s answer to DC’s Superman.  What’s more powerful than a man with god like powers?  Well a god of course! (Well done Marvel).
  
  
• Thor traditionally speaks ‘Shakespearian’ which has been debunked for fear of over campness, and replaced with a normal, if not slightly English accent.
  
  
• In the comics Thor is sent to Earth for being a little shit and pissing off his dad, Odin (played by Anthony Hopkins). I imagine it'll be toned down a lot and he'll be sent to Earth for a 'trail' or something..
  
  
• My favourite Thor fact.  Originally Thor is trapped in a medical students body unbeknownst.  It isn’t until the student picks up Thor’s mighty hammer that he transforms into the mighty Thor.  The student and Thor are separate characters who share the same body, a great angle.  Yet not one we’re likely to see in the movie!
  
  
• Yep. Thor’s weapon of choice is a bad ass hammer.  Take that Green Lantern!
  
  
• The villain will be Loki Thor’s half brother who is a trickster who is up to no good!
  Natalie Portman plays the love interest who may or may not have her life put in jeopardy from being too closely associated with Thor!  Her character is portrayed in the comics as a nurse who takes care of Thor’s alter ego (he’s disabled).  She is then briefly given immortality by Odin who then takes it back because she failed his test of courage.  Fail.
  
  
•  Expect S.H.I.E.L.D, the top secret organisation who has been cropping up in the likes of Iron Man and Hulk to be a prominent feature in this film as they steal Thor's hammer.
  
•  Thor needs his hammer because without it he is a mere mortal.

That’s the lot folks.  Check out the trailer below.  

*Sorry, I can’t resist a good pun it’s the journalist in me.  

**Daredevil and Elecktra don’t count as they were poo.

Missed anything? Complaints and opinions below!

Ben Doran