Wonderful Christian theme

Rating: 10/10 (29 March 2015)

Thor was one of my two fave comic book characters when I was young, so I looked forward to this movie. I was not disappointed. I have changed over the many years since I bought Thor comics, and the themes this movie set forth are ones I find satisfying. This review will contain spoilers.
Thor is a brash and arrogant young man who gets his whole world into a lot of trouble by breaking a tenuous peace pact it has with a traditional enemy planet. When he boldly insults his father, King Odin, Odin realizes that he must discipline Thor by removing his powers and banishing him. It seems like a one-way ticket to obscurity, but later on Thor's mother gives us the key to the movie: "(Odin) does everything for a purpose". In banishing Thor, Odin pronounces an oath over his hammer, saying whoever bears it, if he be worthy, will have the power of Thor.
Many reviewers here have decried the character change in Thor simply over falling in love with Jane Foster. They have misunderstood the script. Thor does not fall in love with Jane until later (and indeed, his falling in love is very muted in the script). Rather, it is his inability to wield the hammer any longer that humbles him. That leads to his heartfelt repentance when his brother Loki shows up and tells him, falsely, that Odin is dead and Thor is permanently banished. Even though Loki was selfishly and cruelly lying, for the first time Thor sees that his actions affect others and his brashness has been destructive. It is directly after that that we see the arrogance gone, replaced by a servant's heart as he brings breakfast to the small crew that works with Jane. The only hint we have of Thor falling in love is his "thank you, Jane" to her while she sleeps. Apparently Jane has taught him the blessedness of helping others.
Thor's new character is most prominently on display a bit later, when he offers his own life in order to save the Earth from destruction. I couldn't help but see the Gospel in this, in which Christ sacrificed Himself for us. And as with Christ, Thor is resurrected, for Odin's oath takes effect. Thor has now proved himself worthy of the hammer, and the hammer will no longer be removed from him.
In all, a wonderful plot line and satisfying character development. The themes on display here are very big indeed.