Thor 2: The Dark World is the second Asgardian superhero blockbuster movie, this time introducing an age old enemy the Dark Elves that requires the joint efforts of all Asgardian forces, Thor, the humans and the king of deceivers Loki.

One can argue that director Alan Taylor really had it easy with Thor: The Dark World. He is building on an already successful franchise which is part of the massive Marvel juggernaut that includes Captain America, Iron Man, The Avengers and the TV show Marvels agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Marvel in itself has such a huge fan base that Thor: The Dark World would have been a blockbuster movie regardless. But, credit to Director Alan Taylor to produce a movie that definitely steps up from the first Thor, giving us a very entertaining, much better must see Thor Movie. Calling it a Thor movie may be a bit unfair as it is Loki that steals the show on multiple occasions, but more on this later.

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In Thor: The Dark World Asgard is threatened by the return of the Dark Elves. The story of the defeat of the Dark Elves, ages ago has become a bedtime story for all Asgardian citizens. The epic battle between Asgard’s Odin and his Father defeating Maleketh and his forces of Dark Elves is also the opening scene of the movie, building the suspense for their imminent and inevitable return.

It is two years since the war on New York and Thor is occupied by restoring peace in the 9 realms. All the while his heart longing back to earth where Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) waits. Due to the once in every 5000 year alignment of the 9 worlds portals between the 9 worlds open and close and random places and in it is in this way that Jane Foster becomes the initial key in ‘waking up’ the Dark Elves. This brings them all together in an attempt to stop Maleketh and his deadly Dark Elves.

The Dark Elves is an evil dark race, driven by vengeance and the purpose of turning all the 9 worlds into a dark wasteland. One gets the feeling that they really should be in control of the 9 realms. They have better technology, stronger forces and are more intelligent in general.

In Thor The Dark World we’re done with any of the character development that made the first film worthy of watching over and over again, and the lead characters are now portrayed as much more solid and complex, and the dialogue is vastly improved. It’s Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston, however, who are the main draws here, as the thunder god and Loki, his deliciously malevolent adoptive brother. When Hemsworth burst upon the scene in the first Thor, it wasn’t clear whether or not he was the real deal. But following Cabin in the Woods, The Avengers, and especially Rush, his big-screen charisma is no longer in doubt.

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As for Hiddleston, it is only a modest exaggeration to declare him the genuine star of the franchise. When he derides Thor as “a witless oaf” or asks him whether he’s sure he wouldn’t rather “punch his way out” of a difficult situation, there’s more than a kernel of truth to the jibe. So clever and conflicted that he seems barely able to tolerate himself, Hiddleston’s Loki is a hero for the antiheroic age. Perhaps the movie’s best moment is when Thor commands Loki, “no more illusions,” and the latter reveals himself completely. Also worth mentioning is the short cameo Chris Evans make as Captain America.

Yet not everything is as impressive in Thor: The Dark World. The plan that eventually sees the end of the Dark Elves felt plastered together and only due to pure luck by events that can only be described as “Really??”. The fighting scenes are as epic as one can expect, and although they do not match up to those we saw in The Avengers, one can still sit back and revel in the awesomeness that is Thor whenever he brings the hammer down (literally) on anyone that oppose.

 

Conclusion

Thor: The Dark World delivers just as the massive amount of marketing done promised it would. It is much more fun than its predecessor even if it does have the odd shortcoming with the plot. Hiddleston plays Loki to perfection and was it not for his contribution Thor: The Dark World would have seriously lacked the punch it delivered.  Thor: The Dark World is a solid part of the franchise and Director Alan Taylor can rest assured that whomever takes the reigns for Thor 3 will have a massive task at hand.

[kkstarratings]