us fans, sure. But I think it'd be perfect for the general movie audience and I'm sure they'd all get a kick out of it. Thor hasn't really had any real competition, power-wise, on-screen yet anyway. He might've learned humility in his movie, but he hasn't really been beat down yet, so it'd be nice for him to get a little wake up call in that department. Plus, it's the perfect excuse for the Avengers to learn teamwork in the movie
Actually, been thinking about this a good bit; and have also been talking to some friends who really loved the movie, but who aren't terribly familiar with general comics. And I'm going to say... I disagree. I think Thor NEEDS to be shown as very powerful against the Hulk.
The thing is -- this movie wasn't a clear-cut primer on the power level of Asgardians or Thor in particular. It gave a few hints, and he looked completely badass in the fight scenes. But, when he was himself, his main opponents were other things that the GA has little way to judge in terms of how their power levels compare to other things the GA is actually familiar with. (Which is not necessarily the comics or any Avengers or Thor cartoons.)
Yes, the Frost Giants looked powerful, as did the Destroyer. But I don't think the GA can compare those opponents that well with, say, the Hulk. And the movie didn't have (or cut out) things like the Asgardians lifting stuff that would make an impression on the GA, like a car.
On the other hand, I'd say that if the GA has a sense of anything, it's the reputation of the Hulk in popular culture. Which, face it, the Hulk HAS a presence in popular culture. I would guess that people are generally aware of the Hulk as a character, and at least a very short brief of what his deal is (incredibly powerful, nearly unstoppable, "Hulk smash!", and "don't make him angry") -- I bet a lot of people could tell you at least that much (plus that he's green) if you stopped them on the street. It's not a detailed or nuanced view of the character, and it may not even be that accurate, but it's probably something the Avengers movie can count on.
Thor fighting the Hulk may be the first time the GA will see Thor's power in a context they can really understand. If they see the Hulk getting rocked by Thor, it will tell them faster than anything else how powerful Thor really is.
(Overall, I'm in favor of a pretty even fight that is interrupted before a real winner emerges. And I wouldn't mind at all if the point is made during it that the Hulk, in turn, is one of the toughest things Thor has ever encountered.)
