• Thor vs. Loki

(THOR, the original movie, 2011)

The first movie featuring the Thunder-God was a smashing success.  The story stayed very close to the original comic and for that, it was widely accepted by Marvel fans.  The movie had some nice special effects and introduced some new characters, but the writing and the emotion that huddled behind it was the reason that this fight lands on our list at #9.

The struggle between brothers who are competing for their father's approval is pulled straight from classic literature. The battle between Loki and Thor however, goes much deeper.  As the brief but meaningful battle wages, Thor gains the upper hand.  He walks over to the fallen Loki and places his hammer on his chest.  The legend says that only Thor can lift his hammer, so Loki is left helplessly trapped underneath the mythical weight.

That scene is so skillfully played out that Thor's contempt for his brother is palpable.  Thor's decision to destroy the bifrost linking the different worlds to Asgard however, is the pinnacle of the warrior's sacrifice.  He gives up the ability to return to his lady in order to prevent the genocide of the frost giants.