Excellent Job, Marvel!

Rating: 10/10 (30 December 2012)

This movie flew over my head, the first time I saw it. I thought it was just a fun kid's movie. Once I learned a little more about the Eddas, this movie replaced Iron Man as my favorite Marvel movie. I think the point is summed up in the dialogue between Agent Coulson and Foster, when Coulson says "I'm sorry, Miss Foster, but we're the good guys," and Foster responds "So are we!" Yeah, they all are. Perhaps that's what made this movie difficult for me, initially, as I'm used to more black and white themes - absolute villains and protagonists.
Suddenly I'm faced with this movie where everyone has flaws and individual perspectives, and I must independently determine who is right or wrong, including who is deceitful or honest. Marvel, why so true to real life? Why all of the parallels? No, those didn't fly over my head, at least not the second time (too many to count). This movie is way past due.
Anyway, the villain has suffered a hard life, and the extent of his villainry depends entirely on the extent of my trust in him. I choose how I see him. The protagonist grew up a bit spoiled, having been favored with gifts by his father, and has only recently learned empathy after being rejected repeatedly by the people he trusted, those who he thought loved him. At this point, both brothers now have something in common. However, Odin is a kind-hearted man, who led an army to protect humans from Frost Giants, and then adopted a Frost Giant in hopes of soothing resulting tensions that arose between them.
Odin is a kind and wise king, unfortunately both traits his biological son lacks, making Thor unworthy of the throne. Instead, Odin must subject his son to a cruel punishment, in hopes of forcing him to grow up quickly, quick enough to inherit the crown from his father and rule the kingdom wisely, as Odin is growing old and weary. Naturally, none of this makes any sense to Loki, the more mature boy who isn't even aware he's adopted.
How can I fault Odin? Perhaps he should have given the hammer and crown to Loki. Then Loki could use both to betray the kingdom once he discovered his true roots. No, I can't fault Odin.
How can I fault Loki? Loki should sit back and accept unfair treatment without rebelling. Hmm, it seems I can't fault Loki.
How can I fault Thor? Thor should passively let the Frost Giants invade Asgard just as he becomes the new king. Gee, perhaps I can't even fault Thor.
Unfortunately, the choices that present themselves are tougher than the people making them and, like real life, the people in this movie aren't always rewarded for making the right choices. They can make all of the right choices and still get the wrong results, especially if those results are more logical. All I can do is accept that they are all the good guys, and this is a very complex script.