Thor: The Dark World Reviews

Thor: The Dark World

Dir: Alan Taylor

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, and Tom Hiddleston

The Marvel movie universe continues to grow, particularly in the realm of “The Avengers” where each affiliate of the group has their own standalone film. This, of course, is all in preparation for a reunion of the collective’s sequel. “Thor: The Dark World” continues the journey of thunder god, who has been busy defending his homeland and fighting evil in the nine realms. Director Alan Taylor whose recent foray with televisions “Game of Thrones” offers a pleasant looking atmosphere but unfortunately makes a mediocre film that is enjoyable enough but ultimately serves the purpose of setting up the return of the assembly.

Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) is the leader of a group of vengeful dark elves who, after being defeated in a battle with the Asgardians and forced into hibernation, awakens and begins looking for a weapon called the aether. Thor has been battling for peace in the nine realms but is also distracted by his love for astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) on Earth. Jane has been looking for Thor since he left and is lead to dimensional anomalies in London. Jane is drawn into a dark dimension where the aether has been hidden; she is infected with the weapon, which brings Thor back to protect her from Malekith who wants the aether for his own world destroying desires.

Director Alan Taylor does a good job of quickly introducing the characters and working off the established chemistry, especially the strained relationship between the brothers Thor and Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Loki, returning to Asgard after destroying New York in “The Avengers” movie, is imprisoned but is freed by Thor in order to escape Asgard. Hiddleston, the most interesting character in the film, is comfortable with Loki’s mischievous and arrogant persona. He uses the character’s buoyant banter in one particularly comical scene to further flaunt The Avenger’s group and taunt Thor’s upright character.  Hemsworth is good as Thor even though the superhero is a fairly standard moral composition. The character is best when action is called for and he is able to heave his hammer. Natalie Portman is a lead character but is lost amidst the script. She is a scientist and her assistance during the climatic action sequences consist of displaying her science vocabulary and handling scientific gadgetry.

The script offers humorous moments that allow Hiddleston and Kat Dennings, returning as Jane’s intern Darcy, opportunity to lessen the gravity of an all too serious moment with a deadpan quip. This trait of humor is something that the Marvel films have embraced; it works in keeping the atmosphere lighthearted. Unfortunately the narrative jumps around and becomes disjointed, following characters on Asgard and in London while also following others floating along in space. It all becomes distracting and familiar. Past Marvel films have handled some of the same elements better though in a film made purely for entertainment it’s difficult to expect too much diversion from successful methods of the past.

While “Thor: The Dark World” forwards the story it doesn’t do anything audiences haven’t seen in other superhero films before. It’s enjoyable and witty but after the credit codas are through, it’s regrettably unmemorable.

Monte’s Rating

2.75 out of 5.00