THOR: The Dark World
Jeri Jacquin, Movie Maven
Coming to theatres this Friday from director Alan Taylor and Marvel Entertainment comes the next adventure with THOR: The Dark World.
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This film tells the story of Thor (Chris Hemsworth) who continues to bring the 9 realms together. Odin (Anthony Hopkins) on Asgard has sentenced Loki (Tom Hiddleston) to prison to the sadness of his mother Frigga (Rene Russo).
But a past history is about to visit them all again! Scientist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) has discovered a strange opening between worlds and as she falls through – becomes possessed by the two thousand year old Aether. Immediately the Dark Elves are awaken led by Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) and their goal is to destroy all the worlds and rule.
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Thor rescues Jane taking her to Asgard seeking help to get the Aether out of her. Almost immediately the Dark Elves attack Asgard. Realizing they are following Jane, Thor asks the one person he can think of that can help them escape – his brother Loki.
With the help of Sif (Jaimie Alexander), Fandral (Zachary Levi), Volstagg (Ray Stevenson), Hogun (Tadanobu Asano) and the Guardian Heimdall (Idris Elba) the race is on to get the Dark Elves away from Asgard.
Once the battle comes to earth Dr. Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard), Darcy (Kat Dennings), Ian (Jonathan Howard), Jane and Thor make a stand one final time.
They must all come together to save not only Asgard, but all the worlds!
FINAL WORD: Hemsworth has definitely made Thor his own. In this film he doesn’t seem to have a sense of humor but instead lovelorn which is fine but kind of boring. Oh my I can hear the jaws dropping and not-so-nice words being thrown at me as I write. Relax, he’s a super hero and allowed to sulk for one movie.
Portman is fine as Jane. She gets a chance to be possessed in this film and moments of quantum physics brilliance and repartee with the Asgard doctors. Russo as Frigga gets to show off her fighting moves as a strong Queen who supports the King.
Hopkins once again gets to stand tall as Odin but reason escapes him a tad leaving Thor to do what’s right. I just love Idris Elba and as the Guardian I have to ask – you see through the universe watching Jane Foster but didn’t see that ship? Oh no, the grumbling is starting again!
Skarsgard, Dennings and Howard are very funny offering that earthling comic relief necessary when a superhero is trying to save worlds. Skarsgard wins hands down for best mad scientist ever! Alexander, Levi, Volstagg and Asano rejoin Thor and are definitely a good group to have one your side.
My downer is the character of Malekith. Am I wrong here or did he look like a crazed Tolkien-Elvish-Spock-Sinestro-Prince-Nuada? I have to say I sure wasn’t afraid of him. Seriously, if it wasn’t for the red-water stuff which looked like a bad Kool-aid spill he’d have nuttin’ nuttin I say!
The ultimate winner here – my man Loki aka Tom Hiddleston! Okay, so this summer he totally won me over in Hall H making an appearance in full Loki regalia to also win over 6,999 other people. He is hilarious in this film but at the same time moments of brilliance, sadness, remorse and the Loki we have come to know and untrust! When is he going to get his own film that’s what I want to know!
Other cast include: Adewale Agbaje as Kurse, Alice Krige as Eir, Clive Russell as Tyr, Ramone Morgan as John, Obada Alassadi as Navid, Imaan Chentouf as Maddie, Tony Curran as Bor, Roshawn Franklin as Jenson and Chris O’Dowd as Richard.
TUBS OF POPCORN: I give THOR: THE DARK WORLD three and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. I enjoyed this film better than the first and that’s probably because I appreciate what it takes to make Asgard work cgi wise.
Mixing fantasy with science fiction the film does pack a lot of action and keeps the story rolling along. Of course staying for the end – and then the end is crucial for fans. Okay, yes, Loki made it a lot more fun keeping me on a roller coaster which I will gladly ride again in Thor 3.
In the end – the come together to save the universe!
