I am liking what I'm seeing from the Thor movie, but I can't help but feel there is "something" missing from it. Something that is missing from the previews and trailers and marketing that would take it over the top. Some sticking point that separates it from the other movies out there. What is it that differentiates it and makes it worth the 13 dollars?

I know Iron man had that full blown wide open action. Cool amazing armor, the tech that would be a wonder to see on screen. Never really seen such a cool mechanized character. Also great chemistry with Robert Downey and Gweneth Paltrow.

Captain America seems to have the throw back 1940's World War 2 theme to it. Really cool Superhero emerging from that, the great technology and awesome looking retro action scenes. That's definitely different than other super hero movies. I think Cap would do well.

Avatar had a lot going for it to help establish itself from the rest of the pack. There was much talk about it's unique special effects, never ever seen before on the big screen. All the greatest filmmakers were visiting the set and saying this will be like nothing anyone has witnessed. So, there was a lot of talk and anticipation in that regard. Then it was the legendary Director James Cameron at the helm. His first big budget movie since his record breaker Titanic. Then you have ultimately at the heart of it an old fashioned tale about love, sacrifice, betrayal and redemption. It definitely built enough curiosity in people to warrant 13 dollars. The great reviews, the controversy and some of Cameron's King Midas luck behind it added to the success.

Green Lantern I think will do very well, and is a perfect example of great promotion because despite all the special effects and amazing comic characters they feature very simple heartfelt themes in the heroes epic. It has a very strange Science Fiction angle to it. Weird looking aliens, a cosmic connection, a great well known actor in Ryan Reynolds. And also from the latest trailer, they've grabbed you with its heart. They did a great job of introducing you to Hal Jordan and establishing the connection between you and him. He seems randomly chosen to bear the ultimate responsibility but its actually fate. This likable and very mortal, vulnerable man must rise to the occasion and take on the role of the cosmic guardian Green Lantern and face one of the cosmos' greatest threats. It's simple, pure, I get it.

I don't really 'get' Thor. It's not that simple. I don't have that 'connection'. The trailers didn't make me care about what's going to happen in the story.

What does Thor have? A cool looking big guy who throws a hammer and a not so cool supporting cast outside of Natalie Portman. Corny clips from the movie.

Remember despite the awesome action scenes where he fights the ice giants and he heads to Asgard and the scenes where he battles the destroyer, this movie has to "grab" the audience. People are spoiled. Also important to remember that Clash of the Titans didn't do great in theaters either. Not just for its bad reviews but also because it didn't have anything unique that grabbed enough people to establish that opening box office number.

The reviews and word of mouth have more to do with the legs of a movie. How many people will go and see it twice, and how many people will end up going to check out a movie so many others are praising.

So far there is nothing THAT alluring and appealing to Thor that pulls it out from the rest of the pack and thats unfortunate. I'm a big fan of Thor, I'm a huge fan of the Avengers, Iron-Man and what Marvel has planned for their movies. I want to see Thor a success because I would like to not only see sequels but Marvel continue to push their other films based on other franchise characters like Dr. Strange, or Ant-Man or Nick Fury etc. If this movie gets mediocre returns it may slow down the process a bit. Even though Marvel is owned by Disney, Marvel Studios is working on their own independent accord.

It looks like Marvel is autonomous in its decisions and that's because it is making money and coming through on their promises not only to fans but to investors. But if that doesn't happen, then you might see the heads of Disney take more of a hands on approach if Marvel ends up falling flat on their faces. One movie is not going to have that happen but I can see a couple movies making that a dreadful reality. Another angle to that is this is a small studio and they cannot handle losses like big studios can, so lets hope these films develop a good foundation for what Marvel has planned.

Marvel Studio films have been for the most part totally true and loyal to the comic book fans and the results have been great! It has been a victory for the comic book geeks out there not just Marvel but DC, Image etc. If that well dries up, the movie execs who know nothing about comic books nor the appeal of franchise characters are going to engulf themselves into the productions and we're going to see films like Xmen 3 or Daredevil regardless of if it's a Marvel Studios production. Lets cross our fingers and hope this movie kicks butt!

by Duran Rivera