The legend of Thor and his magical hammer is a prominent tale in Norse mythology. Thor, the Norse god of thunder, wields the mighty hammer Mjölnir, which possesses incredible power. According to the legend, Mjölnir was crafted by the dwarves Brokkr and Sindri, who harnessed the power of a dying star to create this extraordinary weapon. The main idea of this legend is that Thor's hammer is not just a simple weapon, but a symbol of power and protection. It is said that when Thor wields Mjölnir, he can summon thunder and lightning, making him one of the most powerful gods in Norse mythology. Furthermore, the magical properties of Mjölnir are not limited to just its offensive abilities.

Thor legend of the magical hammer

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.

User Reviews

I rented this movie with my friends, seeing as I'm from Iceland and I love animated movies that was a must.

But this movie is terribly disappointing. It's both disappointing to general movie goers looking for a decent movie to watch, and for people that are familiar with the Nordic mythology. The thing that set's this film off is the fact that it bears an striking resembles to the Disney film Hercules.

All the aspects that made Hercules a bad Greek mythology movie are presented here except they are applied to Nordic mythology.

But that doesn't mean that it's a bad movie, what makes it a bad movie is that fact that it's a very bland story that has no weight to it. The animation looks decent enough but they got very, very lazy with making more character models than they had to.

There is a terrible anti climatic fight scene at the end, where the thurs are attacking Valhalla attempting to tear it down, battle of gods! But it's only like 10 thurs and 10 Æsir figthing, which is pathetic to say the least.

and by the way, they got millions in funds that came from tax payers to make this piece of. not so good movie. ahem.

The only good thing about this movie is the sound. The jokes are bad, the slapstick is the worst I have ever seen. Everything in the movie is completely stupid, obviously designed for a baby. But then they have some horrible chauvinist pig humor that most parents would rather not let their children see.

I don't know who wrote or cast this, but they had no idea what they were doing.

I wouldn't want anyone to see this, the acting is bad, the humor is the worst or full of over-used jokes. None of the characters are likable or relatable or interesting. The story is awful, and like every other movie being made based on the same rehashed content.

Do not bother wasting your time or exposing your children to this nonsense.

Last Sunday afternoon, i was looking for decent "not-so-bad" movie to enjoy. I picked this one and almost one hour and a half later, i found myself in joy and smile on my face.

Three things i love the most about the movies (might contain spoilers): 1. The way the presents delivered to King Odinn 2. Bridge of rainbow that built by a tube saxophone 3. The crusher who can talk and act with those happy eyes

The rests are some basic elements from previous animation you have ever seen in the past but still added some magical retouch from some cool art directing along the way.

It surprised me because i didn't expect Legends of Valhalla this good! A potential newly breed animation that will gain attention from movie community around the world.

Love all those witty jokes that friendly made to the kids and their older family members as well. You're gonna love young Thor with over-confidence act but somehow manage a way to find his true destiny. Well done CAOZ hf!

To my recollection this is THE ONLY 3D-animated feature without ANY color grading. Oh dear I couldn't even finish it the first time I started watching. I actually brought it into my NLE and graded it so it looked decent! Only then did I watch it. It's dreadful.

It's a shame really Not only it's the stupidest and most boring of all 3D-features in existence, they couldn't even use Arnold to render hair correctly it's so noisy and thick. As are all glossy surfaces.

And kudos to people responsible for character design. You really need LOTS of talent to create characters THAT terrible. I'm dead serious.

If you're reading this, please, oh please, don't watch it. And if you do, please review it so others wouldn't waste their time and money.

1st off loved the humor both myself and my wife laughed out loud A LOT!! Animation was very good not at Pixar's level but very good the 3d was EXCELLENT and the story with its ANIMATED twist on the thor story was creative and well done. The voice talent was as good if not better than Pixar so haha!! We are both seniors and enjoyed this film immensely so glad we purchased the 3d bluray!! BRAVO to the whole cast and crew!!

Here is a good-natured and fun animated film about the Norse god Thor, and his inception as a deity after finding the magic hammer Mjølner. Although Thor himself is portrayed as a customary fantasy hero (he has the abilities and courage, but doesn't know it), many other aspects of this Icelandic feature is refreshingly atypical - providing good fun for young and old. Odin, for example, is portrayed as a gormandising, lazy coward, and offers very little help for our young protagonist. The animations are fine, without excelling, and although the narrative may be a little difficult to follow for the younger segment of the audience, there is always something of interest going on along the way.

Good movie yes extremally good. Um I need more characters so. I once went to my local supermarket and tried to buy cheese but sadly they were out of my fav cheese so I went home sad. Then I found this movie somewhere in my closet on a DVD disk. I watched the movie and it really made my day.

The whole experience of watching this movie was so bad, the budget was wasted on a bad movie.

The movie costed £8.3M pounds and made $7.6M dollars.

This movie was a huge waste of money and time, it took them like 5 years to make this movie or sum and it wasn't even good.

Thor legend of the magical hammer

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Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer

Well, it’s not the Marvel version, but it’s still mildly entertaining. A clear attempt to capitalize on the popularity made by the Hemsworth live-action films about the hammer-wielding Norse God of Thunder and Lightning, but hey, isn’t that what filmmaking is all about, making something the audience will actually pay attention to? This time Thor is surrounded by an animated family-friendly shell. Well, though I am much older than this film’s targeted demographic, I still feel that I can objectively say: there are worst ways to kill 90 minutes. Trust me, I know.

In this animated retelling, Thor is the son of Odin, King of the Gods, and a human mother. Neglected by his father, Thor is raised by his mother alone and is pushed to follow in her footsteps and work as the village’s blacksmith. Thor longs for something more; he believes that he is destined for more. He believes that it is his destiny to become a warrior and fight side by side with his father.

In reality (ironic to say since this is a cartoon), Odin is far from the father that Thor imagines. A lazy and entitled god who is more interested in enjoying the sacrifices given to him by the people he is supposed to serve than the people themselves. During a feast, Odin is approached by a weapon-selling goblin who offers him the self-proclaimed most powerful weapon in the world: Crusher, a talking hammer (yeah, I know it sounds ridiculous, but just go with it) of immense power. Odin is intrigued by the weapon and believes that it will help him win the war between the Gods and Giants led by the Ice Queen. However in a feat of anger after a fiasco that cost him an eye, Odin throws the hammer away, into the world of Man.

Crusher crash lands through Thor’s home. Finding it, Thor originally believes the hammer to be a message from his father that he is meant to be nothing more than a blacksmith. The next night, Thor’s village is attacked by the Giants, and Thor learns that Crusher is more than just an ordinary hammer. When his mother and best friend are kidnapped by the Giants, Thor and Crusher join forces to bring down the Ice Queen.

It’s been a few years since my cartoon days, but this wasn’t a bad film to reintroduce me back to cartoons. It was somewhat subtle with its comedy, which can be a strength as well as a weakness. The driving force behind much of the comedy was Crusher the talking hammer (however I think if the hammer would have had the true name of Mjolnir, it would have been more fitting).

The quality of a cartoon is rooted in its ability to balance comedy with instilling the audience with wholesome values that can be used in everyday life. Thor shows courage when battling the Giants without a weapon, bravery when he choose to go after the Ice Queen without the aid of his father, friendship when he attempts to rescue his best friend Etta , and belief in himself as he rises to become a warrior. I think it meets the requirement.

Jeremy Butler

Jeremy Butler is a film school graduate of the International Academy of Design and Technology. He is been writing for Upcomingdiscs since 2012; however, movies have played a big part of his life for much longer. Favorite genres include horror, science fiction/fantasy, and comedy. Favorite movies are V for Vendetta, Boondocks Saints, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and The Godfather.

Furthermore, the magical properties of Mjölnir are not limited to just its offensive abilities. It is believed that the hammer has the power to bless marriages and sanctify oaths, symbolizing the importance of loyalty and honesty. In addition, Mjölnir is believed to always return to Thor's hand when thrown, highlighting the unwavering bond between the god and his weapon.

However, the legend also tells of an incident where Thor temporarily lost his hammer. This caused great distress among the gods, as the hammer was not only a weapon but also a symbol of security for them. Fortunately, Thor was able to retrieve Mjölnir, proving his unwavering determination and strength. The legend of Thor and his magical hammer symbolizes more than just an impressive weapon. It represents the power of thunder and protection, the importance of loyalty and honesty, and the unwavering determination of a god. For centuries, it has captivated listeners and inspired awe, solidifying its place as one of the most significant legends in Norse mythology..

Reviews for "Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer - A Tale of Gods and Mortals"

1. Rachel - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer". The animation was clunky and outdated, and the story was predictable and lacking depth. The characters felt one-dimensional and I struggled to connect with any of them. Overall, it felt like a cheap knock-off of other animated fantasy films. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an entertaining and engaging movie.

2. David - 1/5 stars - "Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer" was a complete waste of time. The animation quality was poor, with awkward movements and stiff character designs. The story was infantile and lacked any originality. I found myself cringing at the dialogue, which felt forced and unnatural. The voice acting was also lackluster, failing to bring any life or emotion to the characters. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.

3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer" had potential, but it fell short in execution. The animation was mediocre at best, and the character development was virtually nonexistent. The pacing felt off, with rushed action scenes and slow dialogue-heavy moments. The humor attempted to be clever but often missed the mark. Overall, it was an underwhelming experience that didn't live up to the expectations set by other animated fantasy films.

4. Mark - 1/5 stars - I couldn't bear to finish "Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer". The animation style was extremely outdated, reminiscent of early 2000s CGI. The story was unimaginative and lacked any originality. The dialogue was poorly written and the voice acting felt wooden. It felt like a lazy attempt to cash in on the popularity of the Thor character. I would recommend avoiding this film and instead watching a more well-executed animated fantasy.

Thor: Legend of the Magical Hammer - A Hero's Journey