Thor -- Tales of Asgard is a feature length animated film from Marvel Animation. Based loosely on Norse mythology, and more closely on Thor comics from Marvel, this film is an adventure story set in Asgard and Jotunheim. It was released directly to video on 17 May 2011.

Plot Summary

The story takes place when Thor and his half-brother Loki are teenaged boys. Loki has developed just enough magic to be annoying, but not so much as to be useful, although he is under the tutelage of Amora the Enchantress. At the beginning of the film, Thor is sparring with skilled Asgardian warriors. Even though Thor isn't very good with a sword, the warriors let him win because he is the Prince of Asgard.

Sif points out his lack of skill to Thor, chastises him, and disarms him using only a stick. Humiliated and angry, Thor wants to set out on a quest to find the Lost Sword of Surter, the magical, flaming sword used by the fire giant. His father, Odin, won't allow him to leave Asgard because he is the Prince. Thor and Loki stow away on a ship used by the Warriors Three, who yearly go on a quest to find the sword.

So begins a hunt that will take Thor deep into Jotunheim, the realm of the Frost Giants. He will find the flaming sword, accidentally igniting a war between Asgard and Jotunheim. Thor and his companions are captured by the Valkyries, fight to defend Asgard from the Frost Giants, and ultimately bring peace to the land, at great personal cost. In the process, Thor proves himself worthy both as a warrior, and as the Prince of Asgard.

My Impressions

The film is very loosely based on Norse mythology, so if you're looking for a primer on mythology, this isn't it. It also isn't a straightforward adaptation of Marvel's Thor comic book. For one thing, Thor, Loki and Sif are teenagers, rather than adults.

Thor hasn't earned his hammer Mjolnir yet, although it is shown on display in Odin's weapons room. Thor fights with a sword, although he isn't very good with one. In fact, Thor isn't much of a fighter at all in this film, although he does get somewhat better by the end.

Odin is shown to be a worried father rather than the brooding king he's often portrayed to be. Amora the Enchantress shows up for a few minutes teaching magic to Loki, but she doesn't have a particularly large part in the film. Still, she's more like the Enchantress from the comics than Odin is like his comic book self.

The other main Asgardians in the film are the Warriors Three. Hogun the Grim, Fandral the Dashing, and Volstagg the Voluminous spend the film watching over the boys on their quest. Unfortunately, the Warriors Three are portrayed as cowards and as liars, shown to have spent their years hiding in taverns rather than pursuing the quest they said they were on. Except for superficial characteristics and appearances, the Warriors Three are nothing like they are in the comic books.

By and large, the Valkyries are portrayed better. At least they are shown to be remarkable warriors. However, for some reason the Valkyries live separate from Asgard and hate men. One would almost think they were Amazons rather than Valkyries. Sif joins them for a time, but leaves the Valkyries to help Thor.

Oddly enough, the Frost Giants come off quite well in the film. Rather than being monsters, they are shown to be honorable warriors, and their king negotiates in good faith with both Odin and Thor.

The action scenes are quite good and the film is filled with them. There's lots of fighting with swords, arrows, and magic weapons. The plot moves right along, and our hero, Thor, does develop as a character. He evolve from a spoiled prince to a true defender of Asgard, so that's all to the good.

The character designs are quite well done, although the coloring is a bit flat. The animation and the scenery are well done, and the battle scenes are easy to follow. The voice actors do an excellent job, and the musical score supports the film rather than getting in the way.

Is this a good film? It depends what you're looking for. If you wanted something that was true to Norse mythology, this isn't a film for you. If you wanted a faithful adaptation of the Thor comics from Marvel, you're probably going to be disappointed. But, if what you wanted to see is a coming-of-age film about a hero in the making, set in the world of Marvel's Thor, then you should definitely watch this animated movie. It's lots of fun as long as you don't get too hung up on the details.

This movie has not been rated by the MPAA.

Directed by: Sam Liu
Cast:
Matthew Wolf	Thor
Rick Gomez	Loki
Tara Strong	Sif
Alistair Abell	Fandral
Paul Dobson	Hogun
Brent Chapman	Volstagg
Christopher Britton	Odin
Ron Halder	Algrim
Cathy Weseluck	Brunhilde
Michael Dobson	Geirmarr
John Novak	Thrym