Avengers Endgame: What "WORTHY" Actually Means
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- čas přidán 1. 04. 2020
- One of Avengers: Endgame's biggest surprises was when Captain America wielded Thor's hammer, Mjolnir, proving he was one of the MCU's "Worthy Four." But what exactly makes someone "worthy"? Why are Steve Rogers, Thor, Vision, and Odin worthy, but not Tony Stark? This video has answers.
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Written and Hosted by Ryan Arey ( / ryanarey )
Edited by Kevin Lin
The next #Avengers #Endgame #Worthy #Thor #SteveRogers #CaptainAmerica - Krátké a kreslené filmy
What other characters, from all of pop culture, would be worthy to lift the hammer? I'll start: Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Superman
Batman
Rocket raccoon and javis and thor's girlfriend jane frost sorry if i am wrong about the name
@@robinjacobs4277 Superman is an ASBOLUTE yes :)
@@MarcioHuser absssssolutely :)
Being depressed doesn't make him unworthy guys.
if anything, it makes him more worthy.
I Absolutely agree!!! Thor's PTSD based depression *doesn't* make him less worthy.
A lovely point that Lee of CinemaWins also made...
It was part of Thor's journey of self discovery and self actualization.
"In a life of beauty and tests
In the troughs
We wait for the crests"
--Whitley, A Shot to The Stars
@@JustAnotherAccount8
Yup~!
It's a beautiful statement that no matter what you look like or how low you feel you are still worthy if you try to do the right thing even if you fail
@jcllings
Yes! 😓
Odin yelled at Thor for being vain, greedy, and cruel. So worthy would be humble, selfless, and compassionate.
Yeah it is a point....
But why fat thor was still worthy even tho he was drunk selfish etc...
@@jacoba636 I would argue selfless people can still be overwhelmed by neuroticism and fall into depression.
@@jacoba636 I wouldn’t say he was selfish. He was depressed and had PTSD, that both were a result of his guilt of not being able to stop Thanos.
@@jacoba636 I read his descent into depression and lack of drive as, somewhat ironically, coming out of the "vain, greedy and cruel boy" scene. Thor is constantly tortured by the idea that he *might* be unworthy (and thus essentially lose everything that defines him as a person); when he fails to protect first Asgard from Hela/Surtur, then the galaxy at large from Thanos, this seed of self-doubt blossoms and inverts his mindset; afterwards he believes he is unworthy and cradles the idea that he might still earn it back. So when he calls alternate-Mjolnir and it responds...
I guess what I'm saying is Odin was a shit Dad
Ryan, I can’t see Endgame’s Thor as a “pathetic self indulgent a-hole”. To me he seemed overwhelmed with crippling guilt and was like the God of Depression, yet when he went back in time to Asgard with Rocket he was still worthy of the hammer. That moment of redemption had my eyes prickling from an empathy allergy.
Yeah I agree, I should have chosen my words better
ScreenCrush Ryan you are totally worthy.
Yeah, Ryan. I wish you chose better words because after hearing that, it was very dishearting
Yes. I just wrote above:
I Absolutely agree!!! Thor's PTSD based depression *doesn't* make him less worthy.
A lovely point that Lee of CinemaWins also made...
It was part of Thor's journey of self discovery and self actualization.
"In a life of beauty and tests
In the troughs
We wait for the crests"
--Whitley, A Shot to The Stars
Sad Thor has many supporters
(See thread above)
@@UATU.
Lol... 🥰
not even kidding, when cap lifted thors hammer our entire movie theatre cheered
Has anyone ever done that in a Scorsese film?
I think this was the rule rather than the exception. I watched it in Leicester Square in London and the cinema shook with happiness and cheers. I was with two of my best friends and it was absolutely surreal, we were screaming with joy
@Ruby, in our theatre, the crowd roared for minutes.
Definitely not. But what about self indulgent and specially consumed by vengeance and hubris and need to prove himself? Those sort of contradict the point in the video. Love the message of fat Thor still being worthy but I think the other aspects of his character arc in that point of time undermine this video’s theory
Every movie theatre in the World cheered then👏👏👏
My favorite quote from Caps movie
"Weak men understand the value of strength."
This is a great quote but I can't say it's true for the whole mcu
TLDR worthiness means “great power comes with great responsibilities”
Can spiderman lift mjolnir
very Marvel-ous explanation.
@@bromicorn can Uncle Ben lift the hammer?
@@jackyoh971 i don't know can he
@@bromicorn I don't know either but I think he could...
the Bible has a very similar idea - “blessed are the meek, for they shall inherent the earth”. Some translation says “meek” means “someone who has a sword and knows how to use it, but kept the sword sheathed.” I think it’s a pretty cool idea, even for an atheist like me.
You could also think about Jesus saying he could bring in thousands of angels to protect him but knew it was time to surrender instead.
A better, more fundamental way to understand it is this: Are you selfish, or selfless?
I, too, enjoy lobster
@@cvp63 shut up
@@cvp63 the fuck does lobsters have to do with anything?
@@woodonfire7406 if you have to ask about JP and lobster, you don’t belong in this conversation
Key words might be “vain, greedy, cruel.”
Also I think Cap was faking it the first time he “failed” to lift the Hammer.
That has been confirmed.
@@billskinner7670 yeah, he did it to protect thor's fragile ego.
I like to think that he could not lift the hammer because in Age of Ultron he still hold the secret that Bucky killed Tony's parents
Yea it got confirmed but to me, from a story telling perspective I wish he actually couldn't lift it at first. Showing more on how people can change.
i like to think differently, i think cap only became worthy at the end of civil war when he told tony he knew bucky killed his parents.
Worthy: the ability to understand the value of a life and all life, and the determination to protect it. The hammer uses that determination to build a way to let you succeed... kind of like the Phoenix sword in Harry Potter... it’s help when you ask for it and need it
I believe Steve could always lift the hammer, he made the choice not to in Age of Ultron.
he seemed relieved to consider that Vision could lift it because he was a machine though
I think Odin has his definition of worthiness in the first lesson he gives to both his sons,
"A wise king never seeks out war. But he must always be ready for it."
And it matches exactly the way you explained it👍🤟🎉
"A good man knows the value of strength. Knows the value of power." I guess that sums it all up for Steve Rogers.
a big thing i thought of from steve rogers was that during the scene in his first movie, when he was getting beaten up and knocked down, he always stood back up and never fought back while holding that trash can lid
I think Cap was able to lift the hammer back in Age of Ultron, but because he respected power he didn't pick it up. It also just goes to show how humble he is.
I don't think so... I like to keep that way where his mind still little cloudy... I know people will say it's confirmed that he could lift the hammer but he didn't at the first time
@@rikkyun04 He legitimately moved the hammer. He was obviously worthy.
Sorry about the re-upload, we had some monetization problems.
Thanks. I was like wasn't this just uploaded a week or two ago?
I will support you with a rewatch. You do good work.
Bout to say
ScreenCrush I am enjoying again!
Thanks everyone I appreciate it
I think you hit it right on the head. All of the men who can wield the hammer know the value of both strength and peacefulness. They have learned when to talk, and when to fight. They are worthy.
I still feel Cap could lift the hammer in Ultron, he just stopped himself.
It’s canon
The Russos’ even stated it.
@@craftymasterproductions4218 but the Russo's didn't write or have anything to do with Age of Ultron. The Russo's just said what they think, it's their interpretation of it. I don't think Cap was worthy in Age of Ultron. I think Cap became worthy somewhere in the 5 year time jump of Avengers Endgame. I also believe if Tony wanted to lift the hammer in the final battle of EndGame, he could have.
I doubt there is such thing as kinda worthy
@@Sean-gi5vs even joss whedon(director of age of ultron) confirmed that Steve chose not to lift it when asked about why he couldn't lift it. This was during the release of Age of ultron
It makes sense, if you look at the ending. Cap ended up giving up all the power he gained from the hammer to start a family. He never wanted power, he just wanted to protect the world and thats it.
that hammer was never his it belong to another time line lol
@@oo-hy1vk that doesn't mean anything. The hammer still wants ppl who are not power driven.
Fixing the Branagh angles still my favorite gag.
I also think that in MCU you must be worthy and BELIEVE to be worthy. That's why Caps coulding lift it at AoU, but managed to do so on Endgame. The first time it was among friends as a joke, no big deal. The second time lives were at risk and he could no longer doubt himself :)
:) yeah, only belief doesnt always work that way every time and for every situation - does it?
Marcio Neves Again Russo said he chose to not lift it in Ultron because he isn’t a show off and also didn’t want to hurt Thor’s feelings/ego. He didn’t NEED to do so at that moment, that alone makes him more worthy!
Actually it was reckoned that cap was always worthy during the Age of Ultron scene you just didn't want to embarrass Thor and this is sent by the director of the movie.
This was so good!! Such a well laid out argument, you definitely have me convinced
yeah! it made me wonder which is his academic credentials :)
karli spec5 clearly the “dark arts”
@@oiboiwtf hahaha, is possible🤔 RrrrYyyAaaaN whatsayyou🧐
This is so good! Love it - also fixing the angles killed me😭😭
I think Banner and Tony understand the restraint of power intellectually but worthiness has to be an immutable constant that is known by the heart. It's like a perfect balance between Mercy and Severity. It's a Solomonic enlightenment.
That matches with what the Russos said, Cap was always worthy, he knew he could lift it but never did because he did not want to hurt thor's pride!!
SPOT ON.
Outstanding job.
meh.
The hammer is supposed to be *both* a weapon and a tool. It's also supposed to be accepted for what it is; I think the problem with Stark and Banner isn't just that Stark lacks humility and Banner is split in two, but because they would try and take it apart if they thought they could. Whether Vision gets through on the 'elevator' technicality or not, the reason he could lift it is because he's willing to accept the world as a holistic thing.
Spectacular as always, I dig it
hey man don't knock branagh's dutch angles!!
in all honesty though, when we saw cap holding mjolnir my entire being dissolved into this insane mixture of pride, glee, hysteria, and righteousness. it was when i started to cry and didn't stop until long after the credits had rolled. i'll never forget it as long as i live. i don't think another movie moment has ever touched me like that did.
girl SAME 😭😭
Major Kudos to McFeely, Markus and the Russos!
They know how to write and shoot character arcs that make you FEEL!!!
These videos are great. Have been really enjoying all of the theories around the Avengers films and also the WandaVision stuff too. Nice work Ryan & Team SC. Liked and subscribed! 🤜
Your videos on the MCU are really awesome and gave me a ton of Meditations about the characters! Thank you so much!
Love your videos. Very insightful and critically creative! :)
That scene still gives me chills
Stellar job as always!
ok this is the most clairvoyant explanation on worthiness I've seen. well done
“Worthy” means serving others. It’s an emotional thing, though, not an ethical thing.
Notice how in AOU he only ever uses it as a blunt object to hit ultron with. He never uses it to summon lightening. I think the reason he was able to “lift it” is cuz the hammer sees him as an inanimate object. Remember how Thor put the hammer on a coat rack in TDW or he left it on a table in AOU. The hammer doesn’t break through the table or coat rack and fall to the floor it’s simply resting on an inanimate object. I think those same rules apply for vision
I agree with what you said. I’d also add that worthiness is measured by the willingness to sacrifice everything for the greater good but also doing whatever it takes not to compromise your values. It’s also about recognising your own limitations whilst embracing your strengths- true humility, if you will. I think Cap, Vision and Thor embrace those principles beautifully.
Great explanation. Thank you!
Bottomline - The Hammer knows who's worthy, and it doesn't have to explain itself to you.
So your theories don't matter
Umm hi, is this Rian Johnson trolling the MCU comments section?
@@Badz_B34chst4r Good joke.
Nah, the Hammer is much smarter than Rian Johnson
Whoever the writers deem worthy is worthy.
@@espo221b True... but that applies to everything in fiction.
Bottomline is... the Hammer choses and the Hammer doesn't have to justify itself to anybody.
I am really glad that they didn't fully reveal Cap was worthy to wield mjolnir in Age of Ultron, because then we couldn't have experienced that spectacular moment in Endgame. Seeing him lifting mjolnir in endgame was really emotional and joyful at the same time
You remind me of the channel Alt Shift X and i mean it in a completely good way! Love in depth analyses of these wholesome movies
Loved this analysis!
There's one element which seems to go missing and that is Odin talked of "the power of Thor". Not thunder or lightning. This ties neatly in with Ragnarok when he asks "are you God of hammers?" And that once cap gets it, he is able to call the lightning on Thanos.
I agree with this theory and it reminds me on one scene in Thor where Odin told Thor, "you think only as a warrior". this could also explain why cap is unworthy in the first place as despite being a good man deep down, he has the tendency to get into conflict or to strike first like during winter soldier final battle when he decided not to salvage anything from SHIELD or in civil war where he didn't reconsider his action would eventually tear the avengers apart.
Good analysis, I quite enjoy this one.
Well done! Subscribed!
I think you hit the nail on the head
Spot on
Killer analysis. Nailed it.
well done! I think you cracked it :)
Beautiful. Love the theory.
love this analysis
So... it seems that I´ve been worthy all this time and didn´t even realize it, Nice.
Insightful!
I think you nailed it!
Hello so under that theory wouldn’t Spider-Man be able to lift the hammer
1) we don't know at this point that he can't
2) he still has a lot of childish and self-indulgent motivations. In the last movie he didn't want to help save the world because it was interrupting his romantic field trip. And he turned Stark's drone tech over to a bad guy because he didn't want responsibility for it. That's not the person who should have one of the most powerful weapons in the galaxy.
@@AwesTex exactly. but older spiderman would be worthy. in the comics, spiderman is given the power of captain universe by eternity (THE universe), and he is overwhelmed and gives it up because so much power bring too much responsibility with it.
If we are talking about the mcu, he won't be able to because he went to the flying doughnut to fight instead of staying on the bus and protecting his home while playing defensively
@@AwesTex yes, we know "Hey, Queens, catch up"
@@fanpan3368 well....if the flying donut ended up destroying the city, country or even the world.. Spidermen wouldnt have a home. So the instinct to fight (defensively) was correct, protecting his home, city or country is in all three is being defensive.
it was pity that stayed bilbo's hand.
Thank you for yet another insightful glimpse into this universe. Honestly, I agree with your conclusion. For example, when you learn martial arts, provided that you were taught according to a particular principle, it becomes a part of you not to use physical force, or rush into a fight at every given opportunity. You learn that your body is now a weapon, and it can hurt people. You don't feel the need to prove yourself physically anymore, and you respect what it is capable of.
Very well said
@@Surgelitex Thank you.
Great video!
True to each character.
(Is that really a video store??)
I just subscribed.
I'll be sure to share one of these soon.
🙂🙃🤩
Well put. 👍🏼👍🏼
Great video
Great video! I think what you say makes sense and I agree with you. But one question stays in mind: why is cap only able to lift the hammer at the end of „endgame“ and not already in „age of ultron“?
It's actually these lessons that these movies make you think and learn that makes them great and the cinematics comes afterwards.
But also the fact that you never want to kill anyone.
Tony killed Stane and those soldiers in Iron Man 1.
I’m not sure what happened in Black Widow's past, but I presume that she might’ve killed as a spy.
Clint was an assassin. Case closed.
Hulk must’ve killed some ppl and possibly Abomination (it’s been a hella long since I’ve seen the Hulk movie)
Thor killed Frost Giants before the Worthy Spell was implanted and hasn’t killed anyone during Hammer Time.
And Cap is always willing to sacrifice himself to stop, not kill, the enemy.
8:14 also, I love this transition.
The Dutch angle gag was gold!
They all have in common is long hair or a beard
hahahahow very observant :)
But what about Vision? Technically he can have hair as long as the lion king if he wants, for sure.
Why does this theory bring a tear to my eye.
Worthy does not necessarily mean the willingness not to use power but to have a personal ideology that even if the enemy might cause you harm you would not want to harm him back... You would use mjolnir only and only when it is absolutely necessary for the greater good..
i like Ryan's[sp] argument, but slightly disagree with you and his interpretation of the quality of "worthiness" - while i do agree that "taking the fight back to" whomever is not a virtuous quality for worthiness - what iS the Quality behind not "meeting force with force" - to be demolished, decimated, deceased? you both would have to share what the alternative is that you're supposing - or not :)
I had previously thought, Selfless Leasership made you worthy, and that a synthetic lifeforms didnt even trigger the test. (Vision did NOT have the power of Thor, lightening. He was just as "worthy" as the elevator or the coat hook.) But you have given something to think about.
Bill Skinner to me, Vision wasn’t worthy cuz he didn’t use the power of Thor. He just lift the hammer up but Cap did use the power of Thor.
So:
0. Great strength
1. Self-sacrifice
2. Humility
3. The preparedness to kill, but only as a last resort, or if required through fealty. (This would preclude spider-man, but include Cap, who did kill many nazis.)
Potentially disqualifying factors (as mentioned by Odin):
vanity
greed
cruelty
Therefore there should also be the following qualifying factors (the antonyms of the above):
4. Modesty
5. Charity
6. Mercy
Nailed it
Aligning those dutch tilt scene in thor was 🤣🤣
Wow this is the best explanation ever I just came on myself
I think some of the qualities of being worthy stem from what Odin said literally seconds before setting the enchantment, mainly "you are a VAIN, GREEDY, CRUEL boy." Obviously no villain will be able to lift it seeing as most if not all of the time they are cruel in some way. I'd say Tony is especially vain at times, but with a general underlying vanity overal. But most of the avengers have a bit of vanity, other than Steve who seems to genuinely think of himself as someone that just got lucky and is just another guy. I cant put much towards greed realistically, and of course there are probably other parameters than those 3.
I love the channel and the content. I have 1 suggestion only, I usually watch in night your videos and the way you cut from movies to you is hard for the eyes. Light changes from bright to dark and vise versa and after about 1-2 minutes is impossible to still continue watching. This is more problematic when watching on tv screen. I would suggest, watch brightness difference from switching scenes and make coherent and more graceful transitions. Sharing this with positivity and as helpful feedback because I love the content so much. In general transition need some more love
Thor, Hela, Steve Rogers and Vision could lift or stop or destroy the hammer because directors and producers say so. There really isn't a common factor amongst the beings who are able to handle the thing. If determination and absolute trust in self-worth is a must, maybe that? Still don't understand why only them.
First of all Hela was able to lift it because the enchantment was gone once Odin died. But while Odin was alive, Thor, Vision, and Steve can lift it because the enchantment is still on it. In Steve's case it was a Mjolnir from an alternate timeline where its associated Odin was still alive.
What makes Thor Vision and Steve is pretty clearly laid out throughout the Thor films and Captain America films. Odin said to Thor "You are a VAIN, GREEDY, CRUEL boy" before Thor was worthy, and he also said Thor was unworthy of the realms, his title, and his loved ones. So when you apply those 6 characteristics to the stories of those three characters, it's pretty easy to see why they're worthy and others like Tony, Rhodey, Clint, and Bruce are not.
I'd also like to point out that in effect, Vision was "activated", as if given life, by Mjolnir...
The Mind Stone, Jarvis, Ultron, Stark, Banner AND Mjolnir.
"A weapon to destroy or a tool to build..."
1. Worthiness isn’t permanent - if Thor had tried summoning Mjolnir before speaking with his mother, he would have failed.
2. Self-worth is important - Frigga allowed Thor to believe in himself again, and that restored his self-worth.
3. Intention must be worthy - in the party scene, Thor knows he’s setting the team up to fail because they have the wrong motivation to lift it - Steve *wants* to lift the hammer, but in Endgame he *needs* to lift the hammer.
4. The worthy have nothing to prove - if you try lifting Mjolnir like you’re about to heave an island of kryptonite into space, *you* *will* *fail* - the worthy lift it effortlessly, thoughtlessly, as though lifting a pen. Or, Mjolnir comes to them.
Hela wasn't lifting the hammer. She was holding it back as it was flying/trying to hit her. She held the hammer previously before it was enchanted.
Odin can lift the hammer because he's the enchanter.
I agree!
I always wonder what the term "worthy" means for Mjolnir. But then I recall that it was created by Odin. Odin is not a good guy. He is fiercely defensive of his own people, particularly those who cannot protect themselves. But he is also an old warmonger. In his old age, he cares not for the problems beyond his people. He would allow the universe to crumble if it did not involve his people. Even if he had the great and tremendous power to stop it.
He reminds me of DC's Black Adam in that regard. His people above all else.
But....if the enchantment took that desire and made that a means of worth. It would make so much sense.
A pure, just desire to protect your own. Whether they are related or not.
Thor wants to protect the realm of Midgard. He has adopted them as his people.
Cap wants to protect his people. Which also happens to be the people of earth.
In the comics, Beta Ray Bill was protecting his people. He was the lone guardian of them.
I can't speak for the "unworthy". Only speculate. Some might just be doing it for the mission. Some for the fame. Some for the fight.
And remember this, Odin does not have a good track record but given the several millenia he's been alive, he's had ample time to learn how to be a better king. Hence why he tells thor "you are a VAIN, GREEDY, CRUEL boy". He has a personal familiarity with vanity, avarice, and cruelty, which shapes his desire for his son Thor to become selfless, charitable, and patient. And other beings like Visiona and Captain Rogers fit that bill
Depression doesn’t make Thor unworthy
So clever! I'll have to watch again for that to actually sink in...😁
I always assumed it was about worthy to rule Asgard/be Odin's heir aka who would make a good king, but these are great parameters for determining what that would actually look like
I like this and it reminds me how much I loved the MCU! :)
I’ve heard others say that Steve jumping on the grenade made him worthy but this explanation makes way more sense. Had jumping on the grenade been enough, then Star Lord would be worthy as well since he caught the power stone to save Xandar.
Very thorough and interesting. The one thing I'm still trying to figure out is what changed between Age of Ultron (when Cap couldn't lift Mjolnir) and Endgame? Is there anything to the notion that, with Thor wielding Stormhammer, Mjolnir was more willing to be wielded by another who is worthy, similar to the way the Ring of Power seeks a new bearer when separated from Sauron?
@Chris Sears I saw those and it makes a certain amount of sense but it sure looked like he was trying. Lol
LMAO FIXING THE CROOKED CAMERA ON THOR 1 SCENES THAT IMPROVES IT SO MUCH
you make sense bro
SUBSCRIBED 🙏🏾
awesome theory. :)
i agree, it's like the mirror of ojesed in harry potter
I jokingly said that Captain couldn't lift the hammer until he learned how to swear.
Gonna go tell my friends now buddy because we were literally just talking about this 30 minutes ago and they’ve all gone home now so I have to call them up and give them the spill😂
Nice Theory!
Thanks for fixing the Dutch Tilts.
I really like the Goliath Bobblehead statue.
Funnily enough, thor doesn't fall under this category, is the perfect example of strike first ask questions later
You…….You. cracked the code
Amazing breakdown