Not so much a review, but observations of the movie Thor

I went to see Thor this afternoon. I didn’t go because I am a Pagan; I went because I am a Geek. Marvel Comics are among my favorites (I admit, X-Men are my first love, but the Avengers are a close second). I loved Thor. I thought it was a quality movie to be judged along with its companion films Iron Man (1 & 2) and The Incredible Hulk as well as upcoming blockbuster, Captain America.

Based on The Juggler’s own Scott’s Paganometer, Thor would come pretty close to being judged as a 100% Pagan film (mass destruction of a small desert town might bring negative points on Earth Worship). However, I think it is unjust to view this as strictly a Pagan film. It is a comic book movie first and foremost even if it is based on mythology. I think this type of thing is just as important to Paganism as a movie or book meant to accurately depict mythology. In fact, I think it may be more important. As I have mentioned before, I believe that the stories tell themselves. They grow and evolve and become more than they were when our ancestors told them. This began when Stan Lee and Jack Kirby decided to take inspiration from the Norse Myths and retell them in a superhero milieu.

I thought the movie was very true to the Marvel vision of the story. The futuristic and mechanical vision of Asgard was inspired by Kirby’s original designs. Even things that a modern Pagan might cringe at were true to the comics. A Pagan without experience with Marvel’s Thor stories might be curious as to why Sif of the Golden Hair is a brunette. The movie doesn’t go into the story, but there is a reason.

Marvel took the stories and expanded on them. They made Thor a modern hero in a way that an average person could understand. With or without modern worshipers, this ensured that the old Gods would be remembered. They live even when writers don’t know they are telling the story again and again.

I thought the most Pagan part of the film actually happened about a quarter of a way through the film. I mean, who among us has not tailgated at a Pagan Festival, drinking beer and trying to pull Mjolnir from the rock where it was lodged?

It is also important to remember that this movie was made for the express purpose of making another movie. While it was a fun story on its own, it will come together two movies from now in Joss Whedon’s Avengers. There were lots of moments that hinted toward the future of the franchise. We even got to briefly meet Hawkeye. And, if you stayed through the credits you were treated to another teaser.

If you are a Pagan Geek like I am, Thor has something for everyone.  It is worth the highly inflated price of admission for the pure entertainment value.