Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Certified: 12A
Duration: 112 minutes
Directed by: Alan Taylor
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano, Jaimie Alexander, Rene Russo
KRS release
The pale and ghoulish Dark Elves rise to threaten the hallowed halls of Asgard and the Nine Realms. Led by the evil Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) these ancient enemies have developed an energy called the Aether that, if exploded at a time when the Nine Realms are converged, can bring an end to light and result in darkness to all existence.
Through quirks of fate, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) ends up finding the Aether, which enters her body as a host. This turns her into the primary target of Malekith and his dying race who have now awakened.
Thor (Chris Hemsworth) descends from Asgard to take Jane to Asgard to get her help, a move that his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) does not approve of. Odin wants Thor to become king and take Sif (Jaimie Alexander) for queen and consort, and not wile away his time with mortals.
Back on earth, Dr Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård) – who is now over-the-top crazy having also been placed in prison after going round Stonehenge starkers – seems to have the solution to stop this convergence. He is helped by Darcy (Kat Dennoings), Jane’s assistant, who is always shooting sarcasm.
That is when the Dark Elves start their assault on Asgard and, by sending in the brutish Kurse (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje), Asgard’s defences are laid bare.
At one point this leads to the death of a loved one for Thor and also for his half-brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) who is imprisoned. The two team up and travel to the Dark Elves’ world in order to stop Malekith.
However, Malekith is waiting for them and his plan to destroy the Nine Realms that revolves around his attack on Greenwich is set in motion.
Box-office wise, Thor: The Dark World will be a test for Marvel’s individual films away from the box-office phenomenon that was The Avengers (2012). The film is a perfect amalgamation of sci-fi and fantasy elements and comes alive in the visions it provides of other worlds.
The film’s less interesting moments are when it comes back down to earth.
It is a picture whose visual tapestry is rich and varied, populated with interesting characters, providing a setting and background to what is becoming the cinematic comic book model.
First of all, the look of Thor: The Dark World that director Alan Taylor brings is a sort of mix between The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and Star Trek. It’s a geek’s dream: laser sort of guns v shield and armour; yet it all melds together smoothly.
The film is directed by a strong hand as it delivers glorious visions of Asgard with all its futuristic Viking-style glory. This sets the scene for well-choreographed sequences such as a Viking funeral.
Visually, the film is one of the strongest to emerge from the Marvel stable as it gives this universe its cosmic background.
Action wise, and in scenes of mass destruction, it is spot on since these sequences – such as in the Dark Elves’ attack on Asgard and the attack on Greenwich – never become chaotic or confusing. The coordination is felt and appreciated as it gives the film’s vision its backbone. While the fight over the Aether is not the film’s strongest plot point, it does provide the lure to set up some strong action sequences and keep things moving at a good pace.
Hemwsorth is a bit more steady and serious in his third outing as the thunder god. At times he plays it serious while those around him play it comical, as the underlying element throughout the film is the romance with the excellent Portman.
However, my favourite character has to be Hiddleston as Loki. Once again, he delivers charisma, screen presence and a tangible sense of evil that is impressive.
The thing I liked best was when Thor and Loki team up, providing some really good screen moments and giving Hemsworth a bit of a chance to slow down on the self-righteous pomp. It also shows Thor boarding a tube train... hilarious stuff!
On the villain scales, Malekith is a stock villain, but the unrecognisable Eccleston provides him with gravitas and presence aplenty. Hopkins seems to be having fun while Russo as Frigga is impressive, and Elba as Heimdall gives the film its regal status.
My only grouch here is not giving more screen presence to The Warriors Three.
Another interesting choice for the film is that when the action moves to Greenwich, it provides a different feel to the usual American metropolis being menaced by aliens and whatnot.
The design of the spaceships, vehicles and the Dark Elves themselves is very linear and sleek; they look almost as if they had sprung out of Jack Kirby’s comic book pages.
It’s a geek’s dream: laser sort of guns v shield and armour; yet it all melds together smoothly
The film is strong and well rounded, has structure and pacing and will surely keep more than just the fans sated. A Mjolnir of a spectacle! As per Marvel’s custom, the film has a post-credits sequence and I would suggest you to stay glued till the very end.
One last thing: the Benicio del Toro sequence was not directed by Alan Taylor, and the shift in tone is totally evident. This will probably tie in with the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy movie and from the looks of it, camp will be the name of the game here.