Review of Thor: The Dark World (2013) by Leigh H — 26 Dec 2014

The Norse Avenger is back looking as hunky as ever in the latest from the Marvel franchise. "Thor 2 The Dark World" This time around Thor takes on an enemy that actually predates the universe, an enemy who has created the ultimate weapon and has now come back to claim it, luckily Dr Jane Forster (Portman) stumbles across it while investigating an anomaly in an abandon warehouse, or Thor would have never of found out. So begins the latest battle of the Asgard Prince and his struggle to protect the nine realms.

An exciting story but I feel it needed something more, usually I'd say character development but being the 2nd of the Thor films I don't believe that was it. Perhaps it was the back story of Malekith the dark elf, I think it needed something more, just another 5 or 10 mins to really develop the character and make the viewer despise him, as a villain I never felt anything for the character, love or hate. I did love the CGI especially when it came to Asgard and its breathtaking city, as well as the bifrost and its travel tube now being repaired and all new again after the last film. The story also involved a lot more of the Asgardian heroes like Sif and Heimdall and the Warriors Three which definitely made me happy.

This, as far as Im aware is director Alan Taylor's big movie debut although he is well known for a lot of tv series "Game of thrones", "Lost", "The Sopranos" he doesn't do a bad job at all with Thor 2 and you can tell a lot of experience is behind the film and it's making.

The Dark World doesn't ever really take off at any point though, don't get me wrong it is very watchable has a good story, amazing scenes, a lot of humor but it is much more of the same. It doesn't really go in any new directions and as such doesn't make it one of the better "Avenger" franchise films, it does have some good moments, but nothing to leave you on the edge of your seat. Hiddleson is as camp as ever as Loki and always a delight to watch, Hemsworth is stunning to look at as Thor, Portman pulls the same tricks as Dr Jane, a very lifeless performance, I have to wonder if she might be getting bored with some of the roles she is choosing. Kat Dennings is very typical of herself a lot of quick one liners scripted to perfection. Rene Russo is always fabulous as is her King Sir Anthony Hopkins. Christopher Eccleston as Malekith the latest baddy plays his role really well just wish he was a little more "Godlike" especially since he predates the universe itself, I definitely felt like he should have been more.

There is of course a little Easter Egg before the final credits but that only left me with a lot more questions and a hope that perhaps there is something new coming.

I won't say this is a bad film, because it's not, it's actually quite good, it's funny, action packed and even has a cameo or two which made me chuckle, Loki is awesome and really steals the show even if he is the bad guy, he is one we all love to hate even when he is being good. One thing I have always wondered though is what these marvel films would be like if the ratings went up a notch to MA just like "The Punisher"? Some very different films would be made, something I think I'd like to see some day.

3 out of 5 BanShee Screams.

X.

#thorthedarkworld.