Dove Review

This movie is so much more than I hoped for. That doesn’t happen often. The story and direction are tight, the acting is solid, the special effects knock it out of the park and the villains are great. It kept my attention throughout the entire film.

Not that there aren’t a few content issues parents should be aware of. There is a lot of fantasy violence but very, very little blood and the movie is so obviously steeped in fantasy that even though some of the violence takes place in modern times as Thor is transported to earth, it can’t be taken one hundred percent seriously. The kids at the screening I saw seemed totally fine. There are a couple of scenes in which a few characters are seen engulfed in flames but it is not graphic and only fleeting. The scenes can be distinguished as being CGI; still, those who might be bothered by seeing a few characters in flames, even in a comic book movie, have been warned.

There are themes of romantic love, arrogance being taught humility, loyal friendship and a father’s love. In addition, the mythology is here, namely Thor’s hammer, his brother Loki, father Odin and the world of the gods. I wonder how many people know that Thursday was so named in honor of Thor. The cinematography is another fine feat in this film, as the dark mountains, snowy skies, and desert worlds in addition to the fantastic realm of Asgard make for eye popping backgrounds.

There are a handful of utterances of strong language but nothing which crosses our level of acceptability. If a movie is meant to, at least in part, entertain, then this one does so in great fashion and adds a pinch or two of humor here and there for good measure. And when it is funny it is very funny. For example, Natalie Portman’s character, Jane, grazes Thor with her vehicle when he appears on Earth and then, when he escapes from a hospital and she is looking for him, she backs up and hits him once again! The timing in the scene is spot-on. Also, a friend of Jane doesn’t know how to handle it when Thor first arrives and acts and talks as he does and so she Tasers him and says, “He was freaking me out!” Chris Hemswworth makes a very good and muscle-bound Thor and Natalie Portman is excellent as his love interest, Jane. This one is not to be missed! We award our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal to this film for ages twelve and above.

Dove Rating Details

0

Faith

Mythological gods

3

Integrity

Several scenes of fantasy and comic-book violence including explosions, fist fights; giant creatures, frost creatures who freeze people and in some cases then break them apart; sword fights; a character is grazed by a car and hit by one as it backs up but he is all right; a few characters are very briefly engulfed by flames; a few characters are stabbed with icicles; a woman Tasers Thor; hospital orderlies are attacked.

1

Sex

A kissing scene between a couple.

2

Language

G/OMG-8; H-4; D-1; Fool-1

2

Violence

Several scenes of fantasy and comic-book violence including explosions, fist fights; giant creatures, frost creatures who freeze people and in some cases then break them apart; sword fights; a character is grazed by a car and hit by one as it backs up but he is all right; a few characters are very briefly engulfed by flames; a few characters are stabbed with icicles; a woman Tasers Thor; hospital orderlies are attacked.

2

Drugs

A bar seen and some drinking; a chugging contest between two characters; talk of having ale; a needle is used on a character as he is given a shot.

1

Nudity

Mild cleavage; a shirtless man.

2

Other

Mythologies and talk of the gods; betrayal and death; a father is disrespected but his son changes and learns respect; magic and science are mentioned as being part of Asgard.