Review of Thor: The Dark World (2013) by Henry P — 10 Apr 2015

4/11/15.

Some believe that before Thor (Chris Hemsworth) descended upon Earth in 2011, there was nothing interesting in that universe. They're wrong. Before the incident in New Mexico, there was darkness, and it has survived. This darkness is Malekith the Accursed (Christopher Ecclestein) and his dark-elves from the dark world of Svartelfheim. Thor: The Dark World opens with a spectacular battle scene between Asgardians led by Thor's grandfather Bhor and the dark-elves. Fast forward to post-Avengers 2013, and we find Thor restoring order to the nine realms with his friends Sif (Jamie Alexander) and the warriors three (So obscure, I cannot remember their actors) in a quest that I guess began in Avengers with the battle of New York. After salvaging Vanaheim, one of the nine realms, Thor is found moping over Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who he hasn't seen since New Mexico, where the first movie took place if you're a first-timer. We find her back on Earth working in London with her intern Darcy (Kat Dennings) and Darcy's intern Ian (Jonathan Howard), as well as good old Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard) who still feels off after Avengers (See how they're all connected?). Anyway, Loki's (The ever-charming Tom Hiddleston) at it again, blah, blah, blah, look, I'll just level with you: Thor decides to trust Loki when Jane stumbles on an evil essence for (Redacted for spoilers of MCU films post-dating this one). It makes sense for future films, but I have to call out the fact that trusting Loki is the catalyst, but it makes no sense, because they should have learned to never trust Loki after the first Thor movie and The Avengers. However, it was great to see the return of Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and others. I must also call out Ecclestein's villain. I liked Malekith in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (TV Series), but he was just enough threat to be a villain, but I feel they held back. The visuals are great though, especially when we see Thor take Jane to Asgard, and the Asgard invasion is visuall impressive. Also, kudos to Alan Taylor, the director, on his camera placement he learned from Game of Thrones, making grander battles than the first one. Brian Tyler returns to Marvel for another awesome score, and possibly another paycheck, he does just as compelling a job in this as he did Iron Man 3, except for one thing: The fanfare that will now be used in every MCU film starting here. Don't think it's all doom and gloom in the Dark World. There is a light world too: It's called the comic relief. And it shines more brightly in this Thor movie ironically: It shines when we see Jane with a new suitor, whenever Darcy and Ian are present, and in one (And "Antoha!") Selvig moment you have to see for yourself to see how far Marvel went with the humor. Let it be known throughout the nine realms: Thor: The Dark World is enjoyable, but not the memorable thrill ride of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, The Avengers, and Iron Man 3 were.

3/29/14.

The Mighty Thor returns in Marvel's Thor: The Dark World. Witness his return to Earth, re-introducing us to the characters we knew from the first Thor like Jane Foster, her intern Darcy, and her intern's intern, newcomer Ian, as well as Dr. Selvig from The Avengers as well, traumatized by having been controlled by Loki. They are developed to the extent of caring for them. This time, Thor isn't fighting his family or an alien army, but instead, all the nine realms are in danger from Malekith (Christopher Ecclestein) and other mumbo-jumbo only hardcore fans might grasp (Whether it's comics knowledge, or quick learning like me). It's memorable because it sees Thor and Loki team up to save the universe. Sounds like the stakes were raised higher than Iron Man 3 had them? You'll have to see for yourself. The battles are grander than the first one's, thanks to Alan Taylor's camera placement, and the higher scale than the first one. Brian Tyler, I'd like to apologize for what I said about your score for this movie in my first review, because, well, I can't quite pin it down, but it felt grander than it did when I saw it in theaters. Before I go, I want to say some of the comic relief is misplaced at points, (Even the Stan Lee cameo scene) but it is still enjoyable non-the-less. Keep watching true believers.

11/9/13.

An amazing spectacle from Marvel, and their first since Paramount's logo/profiteering was removed. The whole plot is an epic of Lord of the Rings proportions, but goes at a TV drama's slower pace at times, not surprising considering the director, Alan Taylor, directed some episodes of Game of Thrones and other HBO dramas. He didn't get to do the kind of nudity he does in Game of Thrones (or so I hear) because this is a PG-13 film for people of a variety of ages. There is also a lot of humor to be found in this movie, though it may seem low to a certain degree. It looks amazing, through all the nine realms, all the way to Asgard itself. We get the old characters of the first Thor, but there's a new villain: Malekith the Accursed and the Dark elves. They are scary villains, but Frost Giants are still as scary. The soundtrack, composed by the ever so brilliant Bryan Tyler after Carter Burwell quit over "creative differences," is a little generic. I know he was called in after the first guy quit, and he worked on Iron Man 3, but this soundtrack just isn't as thrilling as Iron Man 3's, but it does the job right. Some of the dialogue is a little generic, so mayby they should try not to immitate the tone of an HBO drama unless they're willing to go R-rated, which they'd be stupid to do. To avoid ending on a negative note, the Prince of Asgard makes his solo return with style. It is an overall good film, with some lulls in action. Next time, choose a director with more film experience than TV.