The legend of Thor and his magical hammer, Mjolnir, has captivated people for centuries. Thor, the Norse god of thunder and strength, is depicted as a powerful and fierce warrior who wields this mighty weapon. Mjolnir, crafted by dwarves, possesses incredible powers and is said to be one of the most feared and revered weapons in all of mythology. According to the ancient Norse legends, Mjolnir was created by the brothers Sindri and Brokkr. They forged this incredible hammer after Loki, the mischievous god, wagered his head that they could not create something better than the other gods possessed. Sindri and Brokkr labored hard and created a magnificent weapon that surpassed anything seen before.
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While Iceland has as much claim to the character as anyone and this film has some creative ideas in adapting the mythology, there ultimately isn t much to enjoy about this. You can tell that Thor does not fit the American animated family film mold perfectly, but also that its makers seem to be aiming for that with a blend of action, comedy, and fantasy.
Sindri and Brokkr labored hard and created a magnificent weapon that surpassed anything seen before. Mjolnir is described as a weapon that only Thor can wield, as it grants him immense strength and control over thunder and lightning. Not only can he summon lightning to strike his foes, but he can also control the weather and summon storms.
Thor legend of the magical hsmmer
Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer DVD Review
Running Time: 83 Minutes / Rating: PG
Director: �skar J�nasson; Toby Genkel, Gunnar Karlsson (co-directors) / Writers: Fri�rik Erlingsson (screenplay); �skar J�nasson, Toby Genkel (additional script writing), Mark Hodkinson (dialogue); Snorri Sturluson (characters and stories)
Voice Cast: Justin Gregg (Thor), Paul Tylak (Crusher), Nicola Coughlan (Edda), Liz Lloyd (Hel), Alan Stanford (Odin), Mary Murray (Freyja), J. Drew Lucas (Thrym), Emmett Scanlan (Sindri), Lesa Thurman (Mother), Paul Tylak (Heimdall), Rod Goodall (Gunther), Gary Hetzler (Grandpa)
Buy Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer on DVD: Walmart � Amazon
Computer animated films were initially the exclusive domain of Pixar. Then, DreamWorks Animation got into the act with Antz (1998) arriving just in time to try to make A Bug's Life look like a copycat. By 2002, the class had grown to include Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius and Blue Sky's Ice Age, among others. The box office numbers continued to soar and the technology continued to spread. The market reached saturation in 2005-06, when hardly a month went by without a major new CG family film opening in thousands of American theaters.
The glut of output released in that span revealed a couple of things about the medium: 1) it alone did not guarantee commercial success, as it had seemed to for the format's first decade in existence and 2) cheaper efforts were the ones most likely to fail. For every Hoodwinked turning a healthy profit, there were three lower-budget efforts like Everyone's Hero and imports Valiant and Doogal that were losing money for their producers and distributors. Those lessons have been heeded in Hollywood, where computer animated comedies continue to flourish. but primarily from just a few established major American studios. CG 'toons made outside of those institutions -- e.g. Astro Boy, Battle for Terra, Planet 51, 9 -- have typically floundered and grown scarce in theaters. They're still being made, cost-effectively or not, but they're unlikely to turn up on your radar.
One such fringe production is Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer, a film released straight to DVD today as a Walmart exclusive by small indie studio ARC Entertainment. The film is actually a product of Iceland, where it was released theatrically in the fall of 2011 (titled Hetjur Valhallar - ��r, literally Legends of Valhalla: Thor) as the nation's first full-length animated film. Thor is also the feature debut of CAOZ, a company that has made three short films, including the 26-minute Anna and the Moods (2007), featuring narration by Monty Python's Terry Jones and a titular heroine voiced, of course, by Bj�rk.
This Thor is indeed the same figure of Norse mythology and Marvel Comics, but here, he's less of a long-haired blonde hunk and more of a gawky redheaded teenager. The son of the god Odin and a human peasant woman, Thor is a blacksmith, per his mother's wishes, but he'd rather be a warrior. Adventure and opportunities for heroism come his way in the form of the Crusher, a talking golden hammer with eyes and a face. It is the most powerful weapon in the universe, created by Sindri, a tiny magician who's met with scoffs and skepticism, even by Odin himself, who loses an eye in a demonstration on a visit to Valhalla.
The magician winds up with Odin's eye, which he then gives to Hel, Odin's Eartha Kitt-esque enemy, the Ice Queen of the Underworld herself, to soften his punishment by her. The hammer, meanwhile, winds up in Thor's possession and he takes the time needed to familiarize himself with its thunderous power. The Ice Queen wants to oust Odin and take over Valhalla, a goal her frosty giants serve but one that requires the Crusher. Thor, partially motivated by his mother's icy kidnapping, stands up to the Queen and her beasts.
Thor features ugly character design, which the DVD's front cover interestingly and utterly betrays. The film's animation makes you appreciate the sophistication and detail you take for granted in the best-looking CGI these days. Like most new US animation, this film was made for 3D, a fact you suspect in some loud gimmicky dimensional effects (even as a Blu-ray 3D edition and, for that matter, even a standard Blu-ray remain unavailable).
You can tell that Thor does not fit the American animated family film mold perfectly, but also that its makers seem to be aiming for that with a blend of action, comedy, and fantasy. Thor deserves its PG rating, not out of the MPAA's increasing reluctance to issue a G, but because it's got some content that could easily unsettle the youngsters whose parents might see the cover and think "inexpensive babysitter."
VIDEO and AUDIO
Computer animation usually upholds perfection on disc, as the result of its direct digital to digital transfer. I assume that is what has occurred here, which explains why Thor's 2.40:1 transfer isn't harmed by anything but the limitations of standard definition video. As the unknown names comprising the voice cast list above suggest, the DVD presents the film exclusively in American English, with no option to hear the original Icelandic it was presumably presented in. Nonetheless, the words match the mouth movements perfectly, so this doesn't appear to have been a hasty dub or afterthought. That English mix is offered in Dolby Digital 5.1 and plain stereo. The default former is quite potent, with a number of sequences commanding notice with their sound design and the bass strongly resonating. Deduct points for the complete lack of subtitles, as closed captioning alone doesn't really cut it in this age of HDMI connections.
BONUS FEATURES, MENUS, PACKAGING and DESIGN
The disc's only bonus feature is a Thor trailer (1:40), which touts the film's 3D nature.
The disc opens with trailers for the weak-looking CGI films Reef 2: High Tide, Jock the Hero Dog, and Animals United plus one for the sappy live-action dud Heaven's Door, whose two months of Walmart exclusivity will be echoed here. None of these previews are accessible by menu.
Beyond that, the DVD does include an insert with your unique code for accessing a digital copy of the film. ARC Entertainment has apparently partnered with a service called VUDU to allow you to stream the film on your computer or Blu-ray player. A VUDU account, which does not appear to be free, is required, making this less complimentary than what bigger studios offer in this regard.
The menu plays clips in a golden oval placed on the bridge between Valhalla and wherever it is this Thor is supposed to live.
The black Eco-Box keepcase is topped by an embossed foil-faced slipcover.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer is not as terrible as a look at its cover would lead the discerning animation enthusiast to suspect. But Iceland's first animated feature is also not all that good.
While Iceland has as much claim to the character as anyone and this film has some creative ideas in adapting the mythology, there ultimately isn't much to enjoy about this. It will have difficulty finding the right audience, looking too childish for those who might like it, but being too dark and action-oriented for the kids more likely to see it. There aren't really specific complaints to lob at the film; it's just that everything from characters to story to comedy to visuals is terribly unremarkable. It's the kind of movie I expect to wake up tomorrow remembering nothing of and I was watching closely and analytically.
Buy Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer on DVD: Walmart (now) / Amazon (later)
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Reviewed January 15, 2013.
Text copyright 2013 DVDizzy.com. Images copyright 2013 ARC Entertainment, 2011 CAOZ, Ulysses Filmproduktion, and Magma Productions.
Unauthorized reproduction prohibited.
Whenever Thor hurls Mjolnir, it always returns to his hand, never failing to find its target. This magical hammer is not only a weapon, but it also serves as a symbol of Thor's status as the god of thunder. Mjolnir is said to have the power to bless marriages, consecrate oaths, and bring good fortune. It is also a symbol of protection, as Thor would use it to defend Asgard, the realm of the gods, from any threats. The legends surrounding Mjolnir highlight the importance of strength, courage, and righteousness. Thor would often use his hammer to fight against giants, monsters, and other threats to the gods and mankind. His unwavering bravery and determination to protect others made him a beloved figure in Norse mythology. Despite its incredible powers, Mjolnir is not without its weaknesses. Throughout the myths, there are instances when Thor loses his hammer or becomes unable to lift it due to different circumstances. These stories serve to emphasize that even the mightiest of heroes can face challenges and setbacks. The legend of Thor and his magical hammer has not only endured throughout the ages but has also inspired countless adaptations in popular culture. From comic books to movies, Mjolnir and Thor continue to captivate audiences with their tales of heroism, strength, and the power of a truly extraordinary weapon..
Reviews for "Thor and the Asgardian Pantheon: Exploring the Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Norse Religion"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer". The animation felt sloppy and the character designs were lacking in detail. The story was also very predictable, with no real surprises or twists. I was expecting a thrilling adventure, but instead, I felt bored and uninterested throughout the whole movie. Overall, it just didn't live up to my expectations.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - "Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer" was one of the worst animated movies I have ever seen. The dialogue was cheesy and forced, and the voice acting was subpar. The plot was cliché and unoriginal, following a predictable hero's journey storyline. The animation quality was also lacking, with jerky movements and unimpressive visuals. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this film.
3. Mike - 2/5 - I watched "Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer" with high hopes, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The humor was juvenile and not funny at all. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to connect with them. The pacing of the movie was off, with some scenes feeling rushed and others dragging on. Overall, it just didn't capture my interest or engage me in any meaningful way. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a well-crafted and entertaining animated film.