In Thor: The Dark World, the Almighty Avenger, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), returns to fight evil as we follow his story that takes place during the aftermath of The Avengers. This time a new villain named Malekith (Christopher Eccleston), leader of the Dark Elves, threatens to use his weapon known as the Aether, to destroy all Nine Realms, Earth and Thor's homeworld, Asgard, included. When the God of Thunder's Earth girlfriend, astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) searches for Thor, she comes across the Aether and is infected by it, which means Thor must take her to Asgard and find a way to save her from the deadly Aether. Also in order to defeat Malekith, Thor has no choice but to seek help from his villainous and malicious step-brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Like its predecessor, Thor: The Dark World is not a great superhero film and certainly not a milestone, but it manages to be very enjoyable, entertaining, and fun, which is still more than what I least expected. And in some ways, it is probably even better than the first film.
The character of Thor as always is enjoyable to watch on the screen. Chris Hemsworth gives so much dedication the role and fully becomes the character. I should be angry that there is no real emotional growth to him and that he just appears to be much of a wiser and more strategic version of himself from the first Thor and The Avengers. But just as I was satisfied to see a side of him from the first film, I am satisfied to see a different side of him in this film. He shows that he matured and is definitely wiser. Tom Hiddleston as Loki, is still and probably be always extremely fun to watch. The scenes that Loki and Thor share together are fun to watch. Their dialogue is fast, witty, and punch line after punch line hits. Their dramatic scenes are done as well too. And who would've known that a character that resembles antagonism would provide where the best comedy of the film. Natalie Portman returns as Jane Foster and brings the same fun and likability to the character as she did in the first film. This time around Foster is a little pissed at Thor for not dropping by for a visit or saying hello, during The Avengers, as she mentions she had witnessed the events on TV. When I heard about this subplot, I began to worry and say to myself "Oh my typical damsel problems. Don't tell me she's going to turn this fun and independent character to Mary Jane Watson". But thankfully that aspect is only focused on for maybe a minute between the two and the rest of the film, they are on good terms as she helps Thor to stop our villain. Yes, there is a good number of times where she has to be the damsel in distress, but to the need of the story, it's actually understandable. With at least the majority of the third act, she actually is helpful and uses her wit and knowledge to help Thor stop the bad guys. At times she succeeds to be apologetic and even aware of her mistakes. You hardly see that in superhero love interests, it's actually being human. Anthony Hopkins returns as Thor's father and the king of Asgard, Odin. Like Thor in the first film, we see an interesting side to this wise and experienced king after certain events happen, which again I love seeing characters. Changes make characters seem a whole lot more three-dimensional and they do not have to stay one note. Frigga (Rene Russo), who may I remind you barely had a part in the first film, actually does play a bigger and more motivational role and from the beginning of the film, the story succeeds in making her a likable three-dimensional character. Impressive. The Warriors Three, Sif (Jamie Alexander), Fandral (Zachary Levi), and Volstagg (Ray Stevenson) are a little played down than they were in the first film. It's a shame because I like those characters and I probably would have preferred them over Darcy (Kat Dennings), who we will get to soon. But they still have their little moments that helps make them useful. There is a hinted love conflict between Thor, Jane, and Sif, but it is quickly dropped and thankfully so. I don't know if I could deal with a melodramatic love triangle. Jane's intern Darcy returns, as well as her mentor Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard), who for some reason is mentally unstable. A lot of the comedic elements with these two seem very forced. But to be fair I don't think they are terrible characters. For one, I think I laughed at like three of their jokes because they had decent payoffs and punch lines. And Darcy is a lot more useful than she was in the first film. But still there are times the film would cut to them when it is really not necessary. That time could be used to develop the main characters or give more screentime to The Warriors Three, which would I have preferred be the sidekicks of the film, because they seem more useful, they are more interesting, and they are more fun to watch. For me the best comedy comes from Loki, the Warriors Three, or just the little deliveries and in-jokes. And then we come to probably the weakest character of the film, which sadly is the villain of the film, Malekith. He is completely uninteresting, forgettable, bland, and is just there to somebody that Thor can save the world from. His plot is typical bad guy wants to take over the world/revenge plot. There is no real emotional drive and understanding to his motives.
As with any action film, if it has a sequel, the action scenes have to be more fun, more entertaining, more creative, and more varied. This film does just that. There is not one moment of the film that does not have an action scene, interesting character scenes, or good comedy . The action scenes are indeed more creative and varied this time around unlike the first film. Though the first was good and at least interesting, there would be times where I would baldy anticipate for something exciting to happen. That does not happen in Thor: The Dark World. There was not one moment that bored me, I was completely invested. Well everything, but the villain. But everything very much outweighs him. The action scenes are varied because not all of them just include Thor hitting bad guys with his hammer, but there are creative and fun aerial fight scenes which include spaceships, and the climax especially has a very fun, fast-paced, exciting, as well as creative fight scenes. Probably one of the most creative fight scenes I've seen in an action film in a while. As much as I praised the comedy so much, you would think that I would deem this film as a comedy. Well no, I still see it as an action/adventure film more. The film just as all aspects decently balanced. Like I said the best comedy either comes from Loki, the Warriors Three, and just some of the deliveries and little in-jokes. They are well written and witty, and they give the audience a little enjoyable laugh as well.
What should disappoint me about the film is that it is just a typical good guy vs. bad guy kind of action film. But even those can be fun at times, if the right actors are used. Even if they are reduced to just guilty pleasures. This film reminded me that maybe I am spoiled by some comic book films that focus on deep drama and complex issues, the Batman films for example. But the term "comic book film" is key because the main goal of those are to be fun, entertaining, and to give its audience a good time. Even though the Batman films do that and a little more, I am grateful that this film is at least fun and entertaining. Plus the film does give a little more by adding and giving us interesting twists and ideas. They are even some tempting and interesting questions that the film sets up that are left unanswered which does not only make me look forward to the second Avengers film, but a possible third Thor film as well, and even the far future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That is a good sign of a film that gives a sufficient amount of entertainment, but still leaves you begging for more, but in a good way. Is it clichéd? Sure. Is it flawed? Absolutely. But I had a good time, and sometimes that's more than what I request for.
GRADE: P
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