The title refers to all the retrieved weapons belonging to the Chitauri Aliens after the battle of New York. The short film begins five days after the Avengers defeated the Chitauri. Damage Control a government clean up division/agency as shown in the opening sequence of Spiderman's Homecoming collected the wreckages of the invasion. While according to S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Felix Blake (Titus Welliver) who worked frequently as a missions briefer had acquired & logged all alien technological weaponry. S.H.E.I.L.D. had located only 46 inert weapons.
That was until a down on his luck Benjamin (Bennie) Pollack (played by Jesse Bradford) and his girlfriend Claire Wise (played by Lizzy Caplan) come across the 47th Chitauri weapon, reversed engineered it, and got it to operate without the alien hive to interface which triggered its power. Bennie and Claire devise a string of bank robbery heist.
With a guitar and synthetic musical score courtesy of Christopher Lennertz, the duo rob their first bank, a Farmers & Merchant branch in Allenstown, Pennsylvania. The film was beautifully shot and well lit thanks to its director of photography Gabriel Beristain, whose camera work will be seen again in the upcoming Black Widow movie. The combination of score, editing, camera composition under the direction of Louis D'Esposito (Marvel Studio's Co-CEO) the opening robbery and montage of robberies play like an elaborate 90's rock video, with the kinetic flare of an Oliver Stone's Natural Born Killers movie.
Farmers & Merchant bank - Los Angeles
There are a couple of things wrong in the set up, beginning with where the first robbery takes place. If using real world geography, the slightly blurred street signs of 4th street and Main street are visible and the arching marquee at the bank entrance gives the street number of 401. Proving the existence of an actual Farmers and Merchant bank located at 401 Main Street South in downtown Los Angeles. Compounded by the fact that there is no Farmers & Merchant bank in Allenstown PA. The nearest bank is either Northampton PA (7.9 Miles apart) or Bethlehem PA (6.2 Miles apart).
The geographical route taken by Bennie and Claire does however make sense, as they are moving quickly between banks and heading in a zig-zag formation south towards Key West, Florida in which they plan to sail away to a South American off shore hideaway. The one-shot spans a full seven-days and concludes 2 weeks after the battle of New York. This information is provided in a narration by Agent Felix Blake to Agent Jasper Sitwell, as the crime spree begins.
Allentown, PA on May 9th (4.5hr trip of 297 Miles to Richmond)
Richmond, VA on May 11th (3hr trip of 202 Miles to Greensboro)
Greensboro, NC May 13th (4.25hr trip of 274 Miles to Charleston)
Charleston, SC May 14th (2hr trip of 107 Miles to Savannah)
Savannah GA May 15th (10hr trip of 643 Miles to Key West)
with a 10hr drive to Key West
and 24 hr wait to come out of dry dock
Estimate May 16th or 17th as day of arrest.
Driving between cities range from 2 - 4.5 hours
including gas refilling, eating, and overnight in car or motel to stake out banks.
The next robbery to transpire after duo's arrest
was on July 2012 in San Jose, CA
At Vistacorp HQ, by Scott Lang
December of 2012 saw the Destruction of
the Chinese theatre (Iron Man 3)
The characters of Bennie and Claire was loosely based on Bonnie & Clyde, though the opening conversational sequence is reminiscent to Tarentino's Honey Bunny & Pumpkin's conversation before robbing the diner in Pulp Fiction On the strength and prospects upon viewing item 47 was what convinced Disney CEO Bob Iger to green-lit Agents of Shield into a television series.
Item 47 was written by Eric Pearson who was from the first graduating class of Marvel's in-house screenwriting workshop. His screenplay was picked by Louis D'Esposito for him to direct Agent Carter and Item 47 One-Shots, followed by being a contributing writer for the remaining one shots all except, Hail to the King. Pearson quickly became a script doctor, helping to re-course trouble scripts that finally made it to the big screen with Ant-man and Thor Ragnorok. His next two big Screenplays are Black Widow, and Godzilla vs King Kong.
Avengers marked the conclusion for Marvel phase one, which was a long road that paid dividends to Marvel Studios and set in motion an expanding universe.
When the comic book publication company filed for bankruptcy in 1998, the decision for the selling off of filming and distribution rights on some of its most successful intellectual properties allowed Marvel to stem the tide. It took strong leadership and a creative team to keep the company together and to bounce back, Avi Arad who was primarily regulated to overseeing toy marketing and film distribution understood what makes these characters special. It was conflicts among themselves as well as their enemies. It was a benchmark of what makes a Marvel character. Avi Arad as a producer was present on film sets to ensure that there was tension between cyclops and wolverine over Jean Grey, and Xavier saw his friend first not an enemy in Magneto; it was those little quirks of what was on the page was also on the screen. Rather than being merely a team-up purely for the sake of stopping a common foe; Marvel was about characterization first and action second, as both came at equal denominations.
Joe Quesada who became Chief Executive Officer, was given Marvel Knights with a basement bin of characters to work with, along with creative team of Jimmy Palmiotti, Gareth Ennis, Michael Bendis, Steve Dillon, David W. Mack, and Kevin Smith, they turned around public interest back into the comics and turned a profit with DareDevil, Punisher, Black Panther, Inhumans, and later Spiderman. In 2000, Quesada launched the Ultimates, which was considered some of the best story telling in recent years by re-tooling marvels most successful and recognizable brands and re-introducing them to a brand new audience and in a different way.
In becoming an establish film company, Marvel films had to build a strong basement foundation with success of Blade, to generate funding and investment buyers, towards its first steps for a universe, these baby steps came in the form like Dare-Devil and Elektra, which had Disney considering buying the company at the time but opted out at the last minute; Not to lose sight of their goals Marvel began receiving some income from the royalty rights from Sony's Spiderman, Fox's X-Men & Fantastic Four and Universal's Incredible Hulk. Avi Arad was able to secure investments from banks to have Marvel Films independently create their own films going forward ( 8 films in 10 years), after the success of the first Iron Man they secured a 6 picture deal exclusively with Paramount to distribute their films. Kevin Feige who came up through USC and was learning the business under Richard Donner and his Wife, Was there being part of the creative team back in 2000, with the first X-Men movie, Working his was up to becoming a producer on all 5 movies in phase one. These 5 films had huge opening weekends landing at Number one at the box office ranging from 55 Million to 128 Million for its opening day weekend in sales. With its highest grossing film at that point was Iron Man 2, making over 600 Million dollars worldwide. Feige has mentioned on record that it wasn't until the Monday after the results of Iron Man 1's opening weekend receipt was tallied did they green light working on Iron man 2 and started planning out the Avengers.
This month of May mark's the 8 year anniversary of the North American Debut of Avengers in Theatres, it was the last stop of the films debut release, which ended up being a blessing in disguised. The Actors, producers, and director Joss Whedon had gone on tour all over the world at premiere's in countries all over Europe, UK, Australia, and China, before debuting finally on May 4th. And it was a discussion between Kevin Feige, Feige's Assistant Jonathan Schwartz (now Exec Producer on Captain Marvel), Joss Whedon and editor Jeffrey Ford to go out and shoot the post credit Shawarma scene while the entire cast were gathered together for the press junkets. The sudden idea to film Shawarma seemed absurd to Whedon, but in hindsight makes the most sense as it was a family, who should not be in the same room together but are. The inspiration would be drawn from Whedon's personal experience, while on the Set of Angel with actors Amy Acker and Alexis Denisof (who played 'The Other') after an emotional grueling shoot of Acker's character of Fred making her final appearance. Whedon recalls just sitting having dinner at a diner just exhausted with his fellow actors. And thus the template for the post credit scene. It was a blessing for North American Audiences because they had only hours to edit that scene into the post credits before the final print was distributed to theatres across North America, as the world premieres would only have had the mid post credit scene to view.
The film paid dividends by surpassing everyone's expectations, Whedon understood where motivations lied for each character; as every character shined with not a single character taking a back seat, as it was presented as an ensemble piece. The comedic dialogue, witty banter was perfectly placed, the action went full out as characters worked with each other in spectacular ways after working against each other at the start. The progression and a developing story arc was fully fleshed out. The result of which was good word of mouth from the audience and multiple re-visits, when a trend such as binge watching was becoming a new phenomena. Avengers made on its opening day weekend 207 Million dollars at the box office. To put this in defining context Dark Knight Rises took in just about 185 Million Dollars as it debuted the same year, The Dark Knight had made 158 Million on its opening weekend. Avengers was the first superhero movie to cross the 1 Billion dollar mark, It took time for both Dark knight and Dark Knight Rises to reach 1 Billion but they still fall marginally short to Avengers to this day.
Disney had bought out Paramount's film distribution rights for 4 Billion dollars and made their imprint going forward with Winter Soldier and beyond; as the last film in Phase one would be Iron Man 3, followed by Thor: Dark World which was on the slate for an upcoming release. Whedon would continue to stay on, working on the next Avengers installment, the Age of Ultron and was creator and part of the writing team for Marvel's Agents of Shield. Coincidently, a series that will see its concluding run beginning at the last week of this May and concludes at the end of summer.
At its inception in the 60's, Marvel Comics had a publishing agreement with its rival DC comics to release only eight titles a month. They showcased westerns, romances, science fiction, and war type themes to be printed in circulation. Stan Lee who came up with the idea of Thor along with artist Jack Kirby introduced fans to a 13 page feature in issue #83 of Journey into Mystery, on June 1962. There was no space to run the character with its own series at that time; but Journey into Mystery had a science fiction template that suited a character like Thor. As Kirby would continue the drawing of Thor for 70 more issues before handing over the reigns; but it was during that time he had created a visual world of Asgard, Thor's Father Odin, Loki, Norse Gods, and the Nine Realms. The popularity grew to the point that by issue #129 the title changed to Thor - Journey into Mystery making the character the spotlight of the series going forward.
Walter Simonson who took over the series as writer in 1983, focused on expanding the world by diving deeper into Norse Mythology with Villains like the Fire Demon Surtur, Thor's fighting companions in the Warriors Three, and Lady Sif. He took the character and the publication of Thor to one of its all time heights and ran a self title series.
The Film's DirectorKenneth Branagh had the art director and designers take special attention to detail from the works or Kirby and characterizations and concepts of Simonson by both creating and connecting a fully realized world of Thor. Showcasing detailed set pieces like the shinny Mead hall of Asgard & the banquet tables, Jotunheim , the great thrown room of Odin, Heimdall's observatory and the actualization of the Bifrost.
In this movie Thoris a hybrid of the many concepts taking into account of what Stan Lee and his brother Larry Lieber created in writing the character, and the visual illustrations of Jack Kirby, and bringing the history and world building of Walter Simonson.
Initially in the comics Physician Donald Blake while travelling in Norway discovered a magical stick that transformed him to Thor, Blake worked with a nurse named Jane Foster who became a love interest and as the story developed we learn Blake was always Thor. Odin sent his Son to learn humility while on earth as Blake. In the film Blake was a former boyfriend ofJaneand was a very brief disguise for Thor while he was made human on Earth. Centuries ago Asgardians battled the Frost giants in Norway, as they tried to invade other realms like Midgard (Earth) and turn Norway into ice with their source of their power called the Casket of Ancient Winters. Odin defeated them and seized the casket. The story then switched to the present and spent a large portion on earth in a small town in New Mexico where Thor has been banished until he learns humility. Ironically the small town in New Mexico that Thor lands in is called old bridge, a possible historic reference to the bifrost gateway between realms.
Loki in closer examination was not plotting for the thrown in this film, but seeking more recognition and approval by Odin, Loki by his nature is a trickster, he also has been constantly rubbed the wrong way by his brother Thor, Odin's favorite Son who would be destined to rule Asgard. So Loki was driven to scheming the banishment of Thor or denying Thor the Crown, which was the true extent of his plans. He inadvertently discovered his adoption, and the truth that he was taken by Odin during the war with Frost Giants his natural people. As the means to be used later to bridge peace between Asgard and Jotenheim. But its flawed in thinking when he has no identity to the people he was taken from and no connection or history of any Frost Giant so to govern or bridge the the rift seems ill thought out. The reckoning of this discovery places Odin into the Odin-sleep and Loki as Ruler of Asgard in the all-father's absence. Liking his new position of power; Loki attempts to hold on to his position and sends the destroyer to Earth when the Warriors Three and Lady Sif seek to rescue Thor.
Producer Craig Kyle who along with Kevin Feige re-iterated Marvel's mindset of casting. They were not looking for a big name actor who would sell seats, they wanted to hire an actor who could embodied a fully realized character . A possibility proven successful as unknown actor Hugh Jackman made Wolverine synonymous. Chris Hemsworth, though maybe rocky to be received by fans at the start of his ten year odyssey to embrace his character as Thor. It is in the concept of Marvel that no actor is bigger than their character as witnessed in the replacing of big name actors Terrence Howard for Don Cheadle, & Edward Norton for Mark Ruffalo; or removing or replacing actors due to scheduling like Jaimie Alexander and Josh Dallas. Of course there are the exception to the rule with Robert Downey Jr.
Tales of Asgard marks the eighth animated feature film from Marvel Animation studios. As it was released directly to DVD / Blue Ray on May 17, 2011, just eleven days after the theatrical release of the MCU's Thor. It essentially tells a story of young Thor in his adolescent years before he receive his mighty hammer.
It leans into the premise that Thor discovers the people of Asgard do not sincerely feel he is adequately equipped to lead his subjects or assume a more prominent role. The consequence is Thor sets out on a quest with his adopted brother Loki for the lost Sword of Surtur to prove he can be worthy to the task. Along with the Warriors Three and eventually lady Sif, the boy's adventure turns deadly as their lives and that of the Kingdom of Asgard fall prey to many forces of evil.
The film was given a rotten tomatoes audience score of 43%. and offers an alternative and richer story to Thor; something that the live action counterpart was lacking according to some critics. Its a coming of age that follows the close bond between the brothers before seeds of deceit had been sewn.
It puts Thor on a swashbuckling trek into dangerous and mysterious lands, and a few Norse pubs. And not since Thor versus Hulk does the visuals opens up a more insightful view of the nine realms for us the audience to see how it all stitches together,
Created by 'The Asylum" a film production company that carefully crafted its promotions, storytelling and intellectual property so closely to another upcoming commercially theatrical release that they just skate under any legal litigation. With titles like Snakes on a Train and Homeward, films that capture a rental or mistaken purchase to the unfamiliar consumer. Almighty Thor, is a very distant re-telling of the Mighty Thor without infringement of the trademark name and likeness. The Asylum has there films mostly go to V.O.D., or debut on Syfy channel. Their greatest and most lucrative export has been the Sharknado movies.
The Almighty Thor gains their narrative story from selecting pieces of information from actual Norse mythology and creating a science fiction account of Thor heir to the thrown of Asgard, who is destined to defeat a demon named Loki, who is foretold to bring the end of days. Its Principle star Cody Deal, makes his first ever television debut and first actual acting role, as this movie leading star. It was three months after his failed audition for a part in Marvel's 2011 Thor, The Asylum casted Cody in their next movie with a similar name.
Starring Richard Grecio as Loki, Kevin Nash as Odin, and Patricia Velasquez as Jarnsaxa, We follow the failures and successes of a young Thor, as the kingdom of Asgard and the realm of Midgard begin to fall under siege of demonic creatures, and destructive fire power from the Bone of Earl, a powerful short-staff belonging to Loki. As the cover of the film might suggest, the almighty hammer of Thor known as the hammer of invincibility can restore order, and change the prescribed order of fate.
