OK for heathens

Rating: 5/10 (24 May 2011)

Heathen message groups have been buzzing about the Thor movie since it began filming. Every casting decision announcement was endlessly ripped apart, and some people proposed organizing protests. In the end the consensus was that even if it s*cked it would be good in that it might cause people to read about the real mythology. And that what sets us apart from other religions is that we have a sense of humor, so we should give it a chance and see it before deciding to be offended. So it was with some trepidation that I went to see it. These are our gods, after all. Can you imagine Hollywood making a similar movie about Mohamed, in which God casts him out of heaven and he ends up being restrained and drugged in a mental ward of a hospital, and his abs are displayed as eye candy for the ladies? Heads would roll. But I'm pleased to say the movie didn't s&ck. Although there were a few cringe-worthy moments, especially when the film attempted humor, and the whole premise that beings who don't age might still have a human-style tradition of sons succeeding fathers to kingship is a little silly, overall it was enjoyable and a positive depiction of our gods. I think Thor is pleased that America has honored him with a movie, and that little children are calling his name, and that is why he has blessed us this year with so much rain.
review by gythia Erin Lale, author of Asatru For Beginners