Thor: The Dark World (2013, PG-13)

 

This Avengersverse review is in honor of the leaked trailer for Age of Ultron (Marvel released the official version after a “Dammit, Hydra” tweet; love it) and the nerdish flailing that ensued.

 

Objectively, it’s probably fair to say that Thor:  The Dark World is the weakest post-Avengers film.  It’s hampered by a generic villain with nonspecific evil motives, and some of the humor veers a bit too close to wacky – given the high drama of the Asgardian royal family, it makes sense to have some comic relief, but the tonal shift here can get jarring. 

 

Not that it’s a bad film.  Not at all; imperfect though it is, I enjoy it a lot.  As I’ve said before, the growing maturity of Thor is terrific, and this installment does a nice job on that front.  His cockiness has softened into a less showy self-assuredness, and he’s more willing to admit out-and-out confusion or fear, or even ask for help.  His impulsive streak, though, is intact – this time, he presents his argument to Odin before openly defying him but still ultimately defies him.

 

And what has him going against dear old dad?  After reuniting with his human love, Jane, Thor discovers that she’s been infected by an ancient power known as the Aether.  Not only is it strong enough to kill her if not excised, but it’s attracted the attention of baddie Malekith and his army of Dark Elves.  Thor is understandably pulling for a solution in which Jane lives and the Elves don’t get the Aether, but Odin feels his methods are too reckless and uncertain.  So, Thor takes matters in his own hands, enlisting his brother Loki as an extremely slippery ally.

 

I find the Thor movies are the most visually arresting in the series.  Asgard looks fantastic, and we get the chance to see a lot more of it here.  I continue to love everything about the Bifröst, and I dig the flying boats.  Also, there is some cool, topnotch action in this film.  The Dark Elves have these amazing mini-black-hole grenade things, and the big final battle is augmented by a lot of physical and gravitational anomalies that differentiate it from many of its fellow films.

 

I’m still lukewarm on Jane.  I like that she’s smart and scientific (and I love that Thorloves that she’s smart and scientific,) her curiosity and wonder is great, and I enjoy seeing her take a more active part in the plot here.  However, she borders on damsel-y, and her tendency to go giggly-schoolgirl around Thor seems disingenuous for a brilliant physicist.  I get that she’s a little socially awkward, but come on – she’s still an adult.  As for Thor’s other major relationship, I love that, while he knows he can’t trust Loki and keeps that thought at the fore of his interactions with his brother, he badly wishes that he could.  It’s a desire that’s come back to bite him before, and no doubt it will again, but their dynamic continues to be the Thor movies’ strongest quality.

 

All the usual suspects are back for this film.  I really enjoy Jaimie Alexander as Thor’s comrade-in-arms Sif, and Rene Russo gets a chance to shine (and kick some butt) as Thor’s mother Frigga.  Christopher Eccleston does a fine job as Malekith, but his talents are pretty wasted in a commonplace bad-guy role.

 

Warnings

 

Comic book violence, some swearing, and a little implied nudity.

Thor (2011, PG-13)

Imperfect as this film is, I think it’s my favorite of the pre-Avengers movies.  I know that the tone is sometimes jarringly uneven, the third-act fight isn’t anything to write home about, and, as far as love interests go, Jane can’t touch Pepper or the incredible Peggy, but I’m okay with it.  I’ve talked before about Thor’s growth in this film, and that’s where this story really succeeds – weaving the ripe-for-drama tapestry of Thor’s world, his friends, and his family.  

 

It isn’t the typical superhero movie, because Thor isn’t a superhero.  He’s an alien, but not like any of the assorted species we meet in Guardians of the Galaxy.  Thor is from Asgard, a warrior culture where magic and science are the same force, primitive societies worshipped his people as gods, and wormhole is the preferred mode of travel.  He’s the eldest son of a king, and as such, his film tells a lofty story full of war, betrayal, ascendance, duty, and exile.  It’s great to watch him mature from a brash, arrogant prince hungry for war into a future king sworn to protect those weaker than him.

 

One of the film’s biggest assets is of course Thor’s relationship with his brother Loki, the most memorable Marvel baddie to date, and they’re at their best here.  Loki rises as Thor falls and vice versa, and despite everything that goes down, it’s obvious that Thor still loves Loki.  This, by the way, helps Loki’s continued existence in the franchise make sense beyond his character’s popularity.  I get why Thor is so conflicted about going up against Loki and never stops wanting to believe there may be a shred of good in him.  (Side note:  as much as he resents Thor, a manipulative trickster like Loki must love having Thor for a brother.  He’s soruled by his emotions – easy to read, easier to exploit.)

 

Speaking of the silver-tongued one, it’s no secret that Loki is a stellar villain.  His intricate manipulations are hugely entertaining to watch, and he makes an especially dangerous adversary for Thor, who, again, is susceptible to Loki’s tricks and is much more at home wailing on a foe than outsmarting them.  This forces Thor to stretch and adapt, never a bad thing in my book.

 

And hey, maybe it’s a bit corny, but I get a kick out of the fish-out-of-water comedy during Thor’s time on Earth.  Thor approaches his new surroundings with an amusing mix of defiance (ranting about his mightiness just before getting tazed,) rolling with the punches (demanding sustenance for his new “mortal form,”) and trying to fit square pegs into round Asgardian holes (trying to procure a horse from the pet store.)  Given all the high drama going on with his family, it’s a nice way to defuse the tension now and again.

 

The acting is just fantastic.  Marvel couldn’t have found anyone better than Chris Hemsworth or Tom Hiddleston.  Hemsworth brings just the right combination of charisma, nobility, and fun to Thor, and Hiddleston is perfect as the scheming, tormented Loki.  Jane is a rather thin character, but Natalie Portman brings what she can to the role, and both her sidekicks and Thor’s are engaging and well-played.

 

Warnings

 

Comic book violence, some drinking, and a little swearing.