I Am Thor

• Directed by Ryan Wise
• November 20, 2015

A profile of rock musician and former bodybuilder Jon Mikl Thor.

I Am Thor is a documentary about a near metal star whose career began in the ‘70s and attempts to function in a similar vein as Anvil! The Story of Anvil. Rather than paint a picture of someone struggling and pursuing their dream it paints more the picture of someone upset that the glory they felt they should’ve had never came their way. It is less the story of an underdog and more at points the story of someone that had a taste of success and wanted more. This is an interesting look at a rock ‘n roller that never quite became the icon he wanted to be or probably should’ve been.

The band Thor/persona of Thor came up in the 70s and 80s, but never quite seemed to take off. There is so much about the original stage persona that should’ve connected with audiences and some of the music they play in this film sounds as if it’s good examples of the metal of the time. But for some reason it just never landed with a large audience. The man is certainly a showman with a dream to fulfill. He had a mind for theatrics that looks perfect for the time. He certainly has a niche fan base to this day, but it never transferred to broader appeal.

We get a look at his career from beginning with a clip of his appearance on The Merv Griffin Show all the way up to his failed movie career and his attempted come back. What is/was The Merv Griffin Show you ask? It was something pretty significant in its day. You got on that you certainly had the ability to go someplace. Yet he flew largely under the radar.

Thor the singer is hungry for success. It seems to be that’s the whole point of his existence. That’s always how it comes off in the film. What he has now doesn’t seem to be enough for him. We get a look at how his need to be a rock god or just general celebrity has affected his life. It killed the relationship that was going on in the beginning of his career and ended his first marriage when he decided to try again. And as of this film, he’s on his second marriage which appears to be going well enough.

The creators of this documentary help you understand the toll that his quest is taken on him and why it continues to drive him to one extent or another. In his early days there is clearly a certain level of joy. He had fun with it. But at some point, you can see that the fun gave way to it being more of a serious endeavor. He still enjoys himself but that fun is tempered by a need to work at it.

By the end of I Am Thor you are left a fan of the man and perhaps a bit interested in his music. They give you a nearly warts and all look at Thor and you come to appreciate him. You may even like him a bit as a person. There is a charm and enthusiasm that translates to the audience,

I Am Thor is an interesting documentary. It tried to pull an Anvil! The Story of Anvil but it’s not the same. For fans of rock music history this is something you will enjoy.