Well, it's based on the Marvel Comics book character of Thor who was inspired by the Norse mythology. The gist that Loki tricks Odin into banishing Thor to "Midgard' or Earth to teach him humility. Along the way he becomes seen as Superhero. This film is actually incontinuity with Iron Man, Iron Man 2, and the upcoming Captain America and Avengers films. ANd it's directed by Kenneth Branagh who did a number of Shakespere films, which is fitting as the comics used Shakespearean English.