The Story:
The Dark World opens up with some well needed exposition, where Odin explains Malekith's backstory and the crucial plot piece 'The Aether' which threatens to bring the world into darkness. We then catch up on Thor and all his supporting cast. Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three are setting about to bring peace to the Nine Realms. Jane is having a rough time getting over Thor while also trying to find him along with Darcy, Erik (who's gone nuts since Avengers) and newcomer 'Intern'. Loki is in prison, and we learn that he may actually have somewhat of a bond towards his foster(?) mother, Frigga.
The plot is extremely straightforward, though this is not necessarily a bad thing. The movie clearly set out to develop its main cast, and as such didn't focus much on a complicated conflict. There's a bad guy, he wants to blow up the world, yadda yadda yadda. Despite Christopher Eccleson's best efforts, Malekith falls short of being an interesting villain. Rather, the focus and power of the movie is within it's main cast. Thor has grown from the reckless, childish warrior he was in the first film. This time around, he's matured and is proving himself worthy to be a leader.
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| Malekith the Accursed |
The relationship between Jane and Thor is developed too. Jane is the center of the entire ordeal, and is thrown into the midst of the conflict. In the aftermath of it all, Thor and Jane truly realize their love for each other. A love triangle between Jane, Thor, and Lady Sif was hinted at in the movie, though quickly brushed aside. This may become of importance again in a later installment.
Above all, it was Tom Hiddleson's performance as Loki who stole the show. Loki lived up to the name as the 'Master Trickster' in this movie, as just when you think you understand him, he surprises you. We learn that he has some personal connection (and possibly was even related to) Frigga, his foster(?) mother. Her death breaks him, and puts him on the path to redemption as he joins Thor on a quest for revenge. He dies an awesome death, taking Kurse with him in a very emotional moment. Just when we believe him to have died a hero, the ending happens, and everyone is shocked.
While the movie had an archetype plot, it makes up for it with profound character development. If Malekith or Kurse had been more 3-dimensional, it may have distracted the focus of the movie from the relationships of Thor and Loki/Thor and Jane. Overall, I think the plot, though simple, was well executed, and the screenplay was the perfect mix of humor, drama, action, and excitement. Thor: The Dark World is a fun, wacky adventure that weaves you through a variety of emotions.
Above all, it was Tom Hiddleson's performance as Loki who stole the show. Loki lived up to the name as the 'Master Trickster' in this movie, as just when you think you understand him, he surprises you. We learn that he has some personal connection (and possibly was even related to) Frigga, his foster(?) mother. Her death breaks him, and puts him on the path to redemption as he joins Thor on a quest for revenge. He dies an awesome death, taking Kurse with him in a very emotional moment. Just when we believe him to have died a hero, the ending happens, and everyone is shocked.
While the movie had an archetype plot, it makes up for it with profound character development. If Malekith or Kurse had been more 3-dimensional, it may have distracted the focus of the movie from the relationships of Thor and Loki/Thor and Jane. Overall, I think the plot, though simple, was well executed, and the screenplay was the perfect mix of humor, drama, action, and excitement. Thor: The Dark World is a fun, wacky adventure that weaves you through a variety of emotions.
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| The dynamic sibling rivalry between Thor and Loki is a critical part of the film |
The Design
One thing that stood out about this movie was the design. Things looked somewhat different than they did in the first Thor. In the first film, everything was shiny and fake-looking. The Dark World has a much more LOTR style gritty feel that most likely comes with the new director. Things feel medieval, yet also very science-fiction. For instance, in the battle of Vanaheim at the beginning of the movie, you have Viking/Elvish looking warriors with swords and bows facing off against strange looking aliens with laser guns. The Dark Elves have mystical powers, but also alien spaceships. It sounds strange, but it works beautifully.
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| Some examples of the more Viking-ish feel to the design, my favorite example being the bottom picture of Kurse. |
Another thing I loved was the differentiation in all of the realms. Thor: The Dark World explores the worlds of Asgard, Svartalfheim, and Midgard (Earth) with quick visits to Vanaheim, Jotunheim, and glimpses of Muspelheim. Each realm is familiar,yet foreign, and helps shape the mood of the story. Asgard is beautiful, shiny, and looks hopeful and dreamy. When Asgard is attacked and you watch the beautiful city crumble, it hits you. Then you visit Svartalfheim, the dead, shadowy wasteland, shrouded in mystery and sadness. The realm flows with the tone of the story as Loki 'dies', and the audience feels. The final conflict takes place in our very familiar Midgard, and the threat of our homeworld pumps up excitement in the viewer. The use of the realms to help carry the mood of the story is done so very nicely.
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| Aint that just beautiful. |
Overall
This was a truly great film. In all of Marvel's Cinematic Universe, this is second to only The Avengers. It was fun, exciting, sad, humorous, and overall a very enjoyable ride. The costumes and environments are creative, gritty, and both earthly and alien. The acting is superb, the character developments are stupendous, and although the antagonist lacked much significance, the simplistic plot worked well for the movie.
Rating: 8 (out of 10)
Till next year, kiddos. I believe the next Super Cinema will be The Winter Soldier, but I may do some 'flashback' reviews and take a look at some past films. We'll see.
