Review of Thor: The Dark World (2013) by Vance F — 05 May 2016

The sequel lacks the charm of the original and is brought down by a derivative story. The main problem lies with an incredible dull and weak villain. Starting off explaining why the bad guy is so bad is not a good thing.

I wouldn't have started with another history lesson. Move the history lesson to when Jane Foster arrives on Asgard. As is the case with most Marvel movies, the acting is fantastic. Hemsworth gets more comfortable and believable as the son of Odin.

Somehow I think he actually got bigger in this movie. Further solidifying his case as the second best comicbook movie villain of all-time, Hiddleston is phenomenal as Loki. (Joker is number one, duh.) He got better with each incarnation of Loki.

When the movies slows down to just Loki and Thor, the movie soars. The story is compelling again. You want to root for Thor again. You love to hate Loki. On a side note, when you looking at Thor then Avengers then Thor: The Dark World, it's almost a trilogy about how Loki becomes king; how the would-be king finally becomes kind.

The final act is entertaining and action packed, but with the lack of an interesting villain, the conflict feels forced. Overall, with it has its moments, Thor: The Dark World is at the lower end of movies in the Marvel Comics Universe.