Kenneth Branagh did an exquisite job of directing the first Thor film in 2011, creating a gentler superhero film that saw moments of comedy and light relief intertwined with dark family struggles. Alan Taylor takes over the reigns in Thor: The Dark World, and makes a film that’s more fast paced and action packed, but still manages to capture the humour and interest that made the first film such a success.
Of the countless Avengers films that have been released to date, Thor is the most visually stunning. Thor’s homeland of Asgard has striking landscapes and swirling, starry sky’s that are beautiful to look at, and this makes it feel completely different than the other, largely earth based Avengers films. Where the first film juxtaposed the grandeur of Asgard with the barren desserts of New Mexico, here it shifts from other worldly lands to the bustling streets of London. Everything looks spectacular.
Thor also has one of the best casts. Australian Chris Hemsworth is brilliantly cast as the eponymous hero, managing to be both a strong and fearless leader in battle, as well as being hugely likable and delivering the comedic moments with ease, Anthony Hopkins and Idris Elba are serious and powerful in their high power roles, Natalie Portman holds her own as Thor’s smart love interest Jane Foster, Kat Dennings is lots of fun as Jane’s sparky intern Darcey and there’s even time for a nice little cameo from Chris O Dowd.
The real star of Thor, though, is Tom Hiddleston, who is utterly brilliant as Thor’s adopted brother Loki. He’s given all the best lines in the film, and lives up fully to his role as God of Mischief, being both fun and funny, but also completely delivering in fraught arguments and emotional scenes with his sibling. The fact that you never really know where he stands, or if he’s being genuine, is one of the best aspects of the film, and there are plenty of twists and turns in his story arch along the way.
As well as some interesting character based stories (Jane being rightly angered that Thor flew off from Earth and didn’t call her for two years, the strained relationship between Loki and Thor after a tragedy) there are some brilliant action sequences.
I’m guilty of often drifting off when superhero films take the inevitable step of having the good guys and the bad guys flinging each other at buildings and the likes, but I never once felt bored during the fight scenes in Thor. It’s refreshing that every few minutes in between the fight around London there’s a moment of light relief or a joke laced in the middle of it. Thor getting the Tube is particularly amusing.
There are, however, a few minor problems with the film. At the start, there seems to be a love triangle developing between Thor, Jane and his warrior friend Sif that fizzles off into nothing, and some things aren’t fully explained: Why didn’t he call Jane in the first place? How did he get back to Earth for Avengers Assemble when the first Thor ended with the bridge to Earth being smashed? (though someone more into comics than I am probably has an answer for this).
Christopher Ecclestone’s villain Malekith is also a weaker link. He’s a warmongering character determined to disturb the new found peace in the nine realms, yet it’s hard to really feel any strong feeling for him. It’s not a problem with the performance, it’s just he isn’t given a great deal to do; it’s quite a bland role, and winds up being little more than wearing weird makeup, snarling and chatting in a made up language. It was always going to be hard to follow a villain as fun and interesting as Loki, though.
Aside from that, Thor: The Dark World is funny, warm and exciting, and is one of the best Avengers outings to date.
Oh, and those who enjoy the post credit Marvel scenes, there’s not one but two to stay back for, so make sure you stay seated until the very end.