Thor: The Dark World (PG-13)

I think it’s safe to say that the superhero genre is here to stay. And, with the success of 2012’s “The Avengers” ($623M worldwide), the biggest struggle of new additions to the franchise seems to be overcoming the immense entertainment offered from seven superheroes sharing the screen instead of merely one. Enter “Thor: The Dark World,” the follow-up to the 2011 film that introduced the arrogant yet mindful character of Thor to the modern age. So, how does the movie measure up? The answer is surprisingly well. While previews suggested a re-ignition of the Thor/Loki grudge match, “The Dark World” delivers more, presenting a film that oversteps its predecessor with action, comic relief, and seeming closure on several loose ends from the first film.

“The Dark World” starts slow, introducing us to the enemy for this film, a race of beings with really scary faces called The Dark Elves. In the past they waged war on Asgard, and possessed a phenomenon of intense strength called the Aether. Before being defeated by Asgardians, the Aether was sent to another dimension where no one would be able to find it. However, we quickly learn the Aether’s hiding place is in present day London, where scientists from the first film Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) pick up strange readings and unwittingly unleash the evil, which is the master plan of the sinister Malekith (Christopher Eccelston), who plans to use it to wipe out the 9 realms once they are aligned for a once in 5,000 years occurrence.

While “The Dark World” has an amount of backstory that borders on tedious at times, the film quickly presents the return of Thor (reprised for a third time by Chris Hemsworth, coming off the heels of this fall’s “Rush”). He returns to Earth and is reunited with Jane as he attempts to protect her from the power of the Aether. However, as is usually the case with Thor, this involves a lot of lightning flashes, crumbling sidewalks, and immense displays of prowess. You can tell that Hemsworth, who has shown capable acting in other films such as “Cabin in the Woods” must really enjoy playing Thor. None of the celebrity that Thor brings with him is lost here, while new dimensions are added not seen in the first film. The character becomes as likeable as ever, even without the aid of Ironman, the Hulk, or the rest of The Avengers.

Other characters turn in performances on par with Hemsworth’s, most notably Loki, once again reprised by Tom Hiddleston (“War Horse”). If it can be said that Hemsworth enjoys playing Thor, Hiddleston absolutely revels in his portrayal of Loki, now imprisoned in Asgard’s dungeons post “The Avengers” at the hands of Asgard’s king, Odin (Anthony Hopkins). Loki spends his time in his cell with cocky arrogance during a number of occurrences such as arguments with his mother, the invasion of Asgard at the hands of Malekith, and even the threat of harm to his own family. However, as promised in the previews, a reunion with Thor joins the two against the destruction of their people. We get to see a side of Loki we are not used to, and the result comes in the form of massive entertainment.

Some criticism of “The Dark World” comes in the form of its overreliance on humor to break up its more serious moments (of which there are a few), with the effect often coming off overbearing. For instance, some scenes are rightly humorous, such as one when Thor enters the house of Eriq Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård) and hangs his hammer on a coatrack or quibbles with Loki over the best way to leave Asgard. However, some scenes come off a little silly, such as when Odin recognizes Jane from Thor’s stories and she remarks to Thor: “You told you dad about me?”

However, while many critic reviews label “The Dark World” as listless or dull, the film is really not, and offers up exactly what fans will doubtless be seeking. You don’t attend “Thor” looking for “Schindler’s List” and the movie shouldn’t be criticized for providing entertainment and not depth. The plot is deep enough and certainly makes for a believable Thor/Loki team-up, and even the characters of Jane, Darcy, and Eriq are given some backstory and involvement so the film feels about more than just Thor breaking stuff.

Additionally, Thor himself seems to gain a richer development; this might possibly be at the hands of Hemsworth, who does play him well, but also by the necessity of his character when duty calls to protect his own. “The Avengers” was fun, but Thor’s motivation suffered as he was really only there to stop his brother. Here, among friends and countrymen, he has a sense of honor and purpose missing from that film. The best example of this lies in a somber scene between him and Loki, though viewers will have to watch the film to discover it as it won’t be revealed here.

All in all, “Thor: The Dark World” will more than likely please its fan base, and even those who don’t revel in superhero films will probably have fun watching it. It features action, good special effects, and, taking place in London, a different milieu than we’re used to for most of the Marvel deluge to hit the theatres. Hemsworth and Hiddleston both turn in impressive performances, and the film sets the stage for a possible third film, which will doubtless whet the appetite of many a comic book fan. And while it’s doubtful the film will be as revered as “The Avengers,” we often overlook that we go to movies to have a good time. “Thor: The Dark World,” if nothing else, is a good reminder of this often-forgotten fact.

– by Mark Ziobro