Thor: The Dark World

Oh hey strangers! Yes it has been 3 weeks since my last post (slap on the wrist) but in that time I did go on holiday and hand in my first piece of coursework for my degree… so please forgive me! I’m back with vengeance though, kind of like our lead in Thor: The Dark World…

This sequel is MUCH bigger than Thor (2011), with plenty more CGI to ogle at (that’s not the only ogling I might add). When Jane Foster inhales evil incarnate from a parallel universe, Thor is thrust down to Earth to save her and in doing so uncovers the next set of bad guys that are going to try and destroy life as we know it! These bad guys are ‘dark elves’ and at first I thought they were pretty cute! Until they started using their crazy weapons and turning into big burning Predator-esque monsters. I particularly enjoyed the black-hole bombs and red lasers(?!)!! Christopher Eccleston does a good job at being the main dark elf Malekith, but I felt they could have given him a more individual role. For me he will fall into the non-memorable league of bad guys I am afraid.

Odin is still played by Anthony Hopkins of course, and a majestic King he does make! I was pleased to see Rene Russo as Frigga take a more central role to the plot and thought her parts really added to the story, although quite upsetting! The gang are back as well, although not playing as bigger parts as I had hoped, still bringing a comradary feel to the characters, Sif (Jamie Alexander who has since been in The Last Stand), Volstagg (Ray Stevenson – doesn’t need an introduction!), Fandrall (Zachary Levi, who has done nothing of interest for me!) and Hogan (Tadanobu Asano, who was in Battleship.. yes the one with Rihanna ). Plus Idris Elba’s Heimdall who I fell in love with the first time around but saw differently now after the past few years he has been in everyone’s face! Still loved his character though, and that booming voice, I could use him as a very soothing alarm clock…

Back on earth, Kat Dennings plays the very funny Darcy – particularly enjoyed her short conversation with Thor in the car park. Eric Selvig is now running around like a loon after his ordeal in New York, and played very well by Stellan Skarsgard. Plus new edition to the scientific team, intern Ian, played by relative new comer Jonathan Howard. Of course, there is a none so subtle cameo from Stan Lee thrown in for good measure as well!

Now to the meat of the story! So to speak… I know Odin claims they aren’t gods but Chris Hemsworth may as well be. As well as a phenomenal bod, I love how he plays Thor. Although I thought he got beaten up a little too much in this one – he isn’t that special without his hammer really. I guess this is because he was in the context of his own world, where as in The Avengers Assemble he is compared to human strength. But I digress, Natalie Portman is also a stunner – probably the best looking couple in the world come to think of it. Portman’s Jane Foster could have a bit more personality, but she does pass out quite a lot during the middle of the film – when she is awake though I enjoy her (slightly) feisty nature and when she looks at Thor she melts, as does the female audience.

Slightly overlooked in this film, Loki plays a strange role. Not sure what his intentions are but I am sure he is just gearing up for the next film in the franchise. Tom Hiddleston gives a good performance again, and shows he can steal the scene even when sharing it with Hemsworth. I enjoyed Loki and Thor’s bonding experience and almost hope to see them together more often. Although seeing the end of this film I don’t think that is likely!

Over all I wasn’t blow away by Thor: The Dark World, but its a solid sequel and one to be enjoyed at the cinema. The sheer destruction caused on all planets is fun to watch and there are some moments of light humour that break up the action seamlessly. I think IMDB’s rating of 7.7 is deserved, and My Reel POV is, go and see it at the cinema if you are a fan of the Marvel franchise already 🙂

PS. Yes there is a post credits scene – something that looks like it was thrown out of a Doctor Who episode – strange but intriguing none the less! Also LOVE the artwork in the end credits!

 

Tagged: Anthony Hopkins, blog, chris hemsworth, cinema, critic, film, marvel, movie, natalie portman, review, thor, Thor: The Dark World 2013, Tom Hiddleston