Thor: The Dark World

Reviews from the Dark Side presents
     Thor:  The Dark World
Released 11/8/13, now in theaters

The Odinson returns this week in the sequel to 2011's, Thor, in Thor:  The Dark World.  This movie is a continuance of Marvel Films Phase 2 collection following the individual adventures of the Avengers before culminating in the upcoming Avengers sequel in 2015.  Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, and Natalie Portman reprise their roles from the first film.  Alan Taylor takes over the directing duties from Kenneth Branagh.   After the Avengers, Thor was teleported back to his homeland of Asgard and has not been seen since.  What world-shattering event could bring him back to Earth (besides lip-locking Jane Foster)?

The scourge of the Asgardian nine realms, The Dark Elves, have returned with their sinister leader, Malekith (Christopher Eccleston).  Eons ago, Malekith attempted to plunge the universe into darkness using the ancient power of the Aether, a weapon made of immense ethereal energy.  The Dark Elf and his army were defeated by the Asgardians led by Odin's (Anthony Hopkins) father, Bor.  Bor contained the Aether within a large stone and placed it in another dimension so it would remain hidden for eternity.  Unknown to Bor, Malekith and some of his followers escape into suspended animation until the present day when they are awakened by the Aether's release.  It seems Earthwoman, Dr. Jane Foster (Portman) has found the weapon and has inadvertently been infected by it. 

Meanwhile, since the events in the Avengers, Thor (Hemsworth) has been in Asgard quelling rebellions within the Asgardian Nine Realms attempting to finally bring peace and harmony to the lands. When Jane found the Aether, she disappeared between realms gaining the attention of the all-seeing Asgardian gatekeeper, Heimdall (Idris Elba), who, in turn, informs Thor.   Thor travels back to Earth using the newly reconstructed Bifrost and takes Jane back to Asgard after she accidentally unleashes an unearthly  force due to the Aether.  Hoping that Odin and the Asgardian healers can help Jane, Thor discovers he has an even larger problem.  A rare cosmic alignment of the Nine Realms called the Convergence is approaching.  It's Malekith's intention to use the Aether to plunge the realms into eternal darkness during this alignment.  All seems hopeless after the Dark Elf, drawn to Jane, surprise attacks Asgard.  Thor has to then turn to the last Asgardian he ever thought he would ask for help.

There is something that has bothered me about how Thor has been portrayed on the big screen.  I've never understood why the thunder god angle hasn't been played up.  He's portrayed more as an Asgardian alien than a Norse God.  And, that's disappointing to me.  Thor is not Superman. He never has been; he never will be.  Thor has always been more sword and sorcery than technological wonder.  He's the God of Thunder, an elemental force unto himself.  There's not really any science involved here.  He's a product of the union between the King of the Norse Gods and Gaea, the Goddess of Earth (you know, Mother Nature).  There's actually a reason why he commands the elements.  If you don't know the character's comic backstory, there's no movie explanation as to why it always seems to rain when he's around.

 Thor:  The Dark World felt very Stargate at times to me.  Lasers, glowing swords, and spaceships are very nice to look at visually.  But, it just doesn't seem very Thor.  I always pictured Asgard and the Nine Realms (aside from Earth) in more of a Lord of the Rings setting.  I know this is the comic geek in me talking, so, take what I say with a grain of salt if you must.

All of this being said, there is a lot to like about this film, particularly the performances of both Hemsworth and Hiddleston.  I've said this previously about Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, and, I believe the same holds true for Chris Hemsworth.  He owns this role.  He has the look, the charisma, and grace that defines the character.  I know that if enough of these movies are made, Hemsworth won't always be Thor.  But, his successor will have a tough act to follow.

Tom Hiddleston always seems to play Loki with an evil, menacing glee.  And, he lives up to the moniker of "The Trickster" once again.  And. like Hemsworth as Thor, Hiddleston is the quintessential Loki, totally untrustworthy and slimy.   You never know whose side he is really on.  But rest assured, Loki is always on his own side and he'll use anyone and anything to push his agenda. 

If you're like me, you were probably hoping for more "hammer time" in 2011's Thor.  And, that's exactly what you get in "The Dark World."  And isn't that what you really came to see?  Don't we all want a large hammer to pound on the ground to make everyone fall down?

If I'm truly honest, the Dark Elves felt slightly like props for Thor to knock down.  Oh, they were vicious enough, but  you're kind of clueless as to why they want to destroy the universe.  If Malekith uses the Aether for this purpose, doesn't he destroy his own people as well?  I don't think they were fleshed out as characters very well.

And is it me, or do the human characters feel like they're in the way and slightly unnecessary?  Natalie Portman serves a purpose, I suppose, as Thor's love interest (much better chemistry here than with Hayden Christensen).  But Kat Dennings, Stellen Skargard and the other Earthlings are annoyances that slow the movie down at times.

I don't deny I have my criticisms, but I will reiterate there is much to like here and I did like this movie despite the misgivings.  It's mostly on the strength of Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston.  Both are more than worth the price of admission.  There are great action sequences as you would expect. There's another Avenger who makes a cameo (sort of).   And, of course, there's the obligatory Stan Lee scene.  It also has some silly humor to boot.  It's a worthy, if not, spectacular addition to Marvel's pantheon of films.

And do I have to tell you to stay through the end credits?  It's a Marvel movie.  You know there will be a scene or two when the credits role.  Thor: The Dark World gives you two, one after the cast credits and one after the final credits.   I have two words to describe what's foreshadowed in one of the scenes.  Infinity Gauntlet.  Don't know what that is?  I would recommend grabbing the trade paperback.  All I know is that I can't wait for Thanos to show his ugly purple mug again (last seen in the Avengers). 

And I have one last note.  I saw Thor:  The Dark World on an IMAX-type screen in 3D.  While it does look magnificent on the large screen, the 3D is nothing special and not worth the money.  Another tip from your friendly neighborhood movie critic.

The Dark Lord of the Sith says:

***1/4 stars

Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Good viewing. Much better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. Could possibly foot the price of a non-Matinee.
5 *= Pure eye candy. Hall of Fame material here.