It’s always nice to end on a high note, and Thor at the Bus Stop did a great job closing my CineVegas weekend.

This down-to-earth comedy focuses on the Norse God of Lightning as he visits Las Vegas to do battle with a mythical snake that will consume the world. Along the way, his interactions with a small group of denizens will cause a chain reaction that will change their lives.

For a film with a narrow focus, Thor has a broad philosophical reach. The God himself takes a back seat to the people of Midgard (our world), and most of his humor is a background to the greater picture. Jerry and Mike Thompson’s first feature film does a great job at balancing characters with timing. Although a few portrayals could be reworked, there are a few standout performances that really take on the grunt work of comedy and drama.

Although a comedy, the real meat behind Thor is its commentary on Nevada’s suburban population. Most of the film takes place in a template-based, master-planned community with a barren desert staring right back at it. Las Vegas may be the greatest facade ever created, and the film uses this juxtaposition of designed elegance versus natural order to formulate emotions for the characters and their interactions

Not only funny but tender, Thor at the Bus Stop is one of the most promising films I’ve had a chance to watch. Although I would enjoy some more set variation, the philosophical discussion and comedy make for an enjoyable film, and a great way to end a very long weekend.