On May 6th, Kenneth Branagh brought the Mighty Thor of Marvel Comics fame to the big screen. On its face, the movie looks like a surefire success. Chris Hemsworth, a relative unknown, stars in the title role and is surrounded by such top shelf talent as Natalie Portman, Stellan Skaarsgard and Sir Anthony Hopkins. Critical response to the movie has been overwhelmingly positive and while Thor brought in less money its opening weekend than Fast Five ($86.2 million), the movie’s take at the box office ($65.7 million) wasn’t anything to sneeze at.

Unwinnable contributor Chuck Moran put in $11 of that $65.7 million and he thinks it was worth every penny. Kevin Dreyfuss, co-writer of the forthcoming movie Knights of Badassdom, begs to differ and has challenged Mr. Moran to a verbal duel to prove it. Two men shall enter, but only one shall leave the victor – and with that man will go the fate of Thor, Asgard and the entire World Tree. Verily!

Chuck Moran: This is more than likely the first introduction to Thor for most of the public. I am guessing that, aside from the occasional metal head, Norse mythology is not at the forefront of the average movie goers mind.

I have never actually thought of Thor as a major character, but I do think, given the success of Iron Man, Thor has grown into something marketable. Yes, they changed up the back story a little bit and strayed from the comics, where Thor takes over the life of a mortal man, Dr. Donald Blake. They simply took that out some of what might be troubling for audiences to believe and went with what is solid and righteous.

The overly-complex story was taken out of Thor and the only things the viewer needed to do and accept is the fact that Thor and the rest of the Asgardians are gods and Thor has somehow been banished. Director Kenneth Branagh doesn’t care about mortals, because that is not what he is making a movie about. He is making a movie about gods. Viking Gods. I never once doubted Thor, his hammer and his handsome looks.

In the name of science and magic, I accept Thor as Mighty!

Kevin Dreyfuss: Let me start by saying that while I am a big comic book hound I am not a huge Thor fan specifically (even though my great-uncle Paul Reinman inked him for years for Marvel). I didn’t walk into the movie with very high expectations. I guess I just wanted something fun, overblown, violent, something not-lame. And let me be even clearer – lame is not awful, lame is not a giant farting turkey. Lame is just…lame.

Lame acting (the lovely Ms. Portman earns the honorary Michael Caine Phoning-it-in Award); lame, blurry 3D effects for Asgard, which tries to outdo Avatar in stealing from Roger Dean Yes album covers from the 70s; a lame story that can barely summon the energy to go through its perfunctory paces.

I was going to save my crushing blow for the end, but I might as well open with it – my wife loved it. And she did so for two reasons, the left and right pecs of Mr. Chris Hemsworth.

Yes, Chuck, I’m accusing you of loving this film for the beefcake alone. Prove me wrong.

I’m accusing you of loving this film for the beefcake alone. Prove me wrong.

C.M.: Final thoughts!

Chis Hemsworth is very handsome and has super charisma. He has charisma with a coffee cup! He sold me when he was George Kirk in the first eleven minutes of the latest Star Trek movie. Thor is a great square peg in ye round hole. This movie reminded me of Starman, and out of place guy, and cute girls helping him. Except there was more fighting in Thor. Even Renee Russo hit someone with a sword.

I thought the effects were great. Asgard was right out Jack Kirby’s artwork. They were even able to squeeze in his silly hat in the beginning of the movie. At one point, Thor refers to Bifröst as “the rainbow bridge.” I think I am OK with that. The United Colors of Benetton sets off to help Thor get back to Asgard – sure, I can get behind that too.

My only complaint is the lack of Scandinavian Viking metal.

If girls and can like a movie about the God of Thunder, rather than a movie about effeminate vampires and werewolves, even better!