Thor: The Dark World

On paper, this movie must have looked more promising than what Alan Taylor wound up doing with it. Kenneth Branagh and his more serious note, as well as the sense of a dramatic arc of the film as a whole, are missing from the second Thor. The biggest weakness (even on paper) is the hasty ending. Nevertheless, it is still a nice chill-out movie, with some nice acting, a pretty Natalie Portman, the feel of a fantasy, epicness and some great scenes, both comic and dramatic. I don’t recommend watching this in 3D, as the colors are faded and it does not have a single scene that would justify its use. (09.11.2013)

This is the most desperate Marvel movie ever. Plenty of money, fancy special effects, kinetic cinematography, and dynamic editing drive forward an absolutely empty story, which wouldn't matter if Taylor could keep people under control. The first third of the film is a bore (the classic Marvel stuff, change the dramaturgist already), the second is also a bore (by Odin, didn't anyone tell these actors that their characters are supposed to be experiencing something?) and the final third sucks during every second. Although the finale in Greenwich is a nice change in scenery and the subway joke is divine (did the writers really not understand that Asgardian seriousness should be diluted?), if it weren't for Hiddleston enjoying every Loki second in the plot, I would have died from all the sterility. (14.07.2015)

When it comes to Thor, I was sure of my contentment before I even went to the cinema. A few weeks before I watched the movie, I went to Berlin and by chance, I happened to experience the German premiere, which was attended by Chris, Tom and Natalie. This was the first time that I experienced such a premiere and I must say that it is enough to let everything about the movie devour me completely. The atmosphere is incredible. The actors smile at everyone, they sign everything, they make small talk with everyone. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t fall in love with them in the blink of an eye. After this experience, I simply had to go see the sequel. It was a thrilling ride at the cinema. Actually, the mythology around Thor is nothing all that spectacular, but I have to say that among all of the superheroes and reboots of old trilogies, it is very nice to see. In fact, it’s a kind of high-quality filmmaking that doesn’t get taken seriously at all. Unlike other Marvel comic book heroes, this is a nice change. The action is decent, the effects are well-made, the humor is not bad, and then you can add great acting performances into the mix – especially Tom Hiddleston’s – and an inconspicuous cult that’s slowly but surely growing. I just still can’t decide whether I’m team Thor or team Loki. (17.11.2013)

He came, he saw, he was not surprised. Purely as an old acquaintance, I forgive the emotionally collapsed (rather inflated in terms of tone) first half, the Marvel exposition according to the "nothing from something" template is, of course, expected. Nevertheless, it seems to me that the scheme "from the dark depths of the universe will emerge another horse face that has another mega-weapon to destroy the cosmos" is starting to get quite worn out and hackneyed. The best thing about Thor: The Dark World is not the main storyline, but rather the completion of relational peripeteia from past films (Thor x Frigga, Thor x Loki, a comedy storyline with a disturbed Erik). It is shot skillfully, it tries to dilute the theatricality with dark fantasy and a greater richness of relationships between the gods. The result is not dazzling, but at least it works (and where it doesn’t, it ironically thematizes the discrepancy - jumps between dimensions). I was expecting some more surprises and a slightly fresh approach. But the series team hit the Marvel tracks and isn't tearing out the sleepers. In the end, it escalates nicely, Natalie is (more and more the same) fragile, Chris waves the hammer around decently... basically, things are essentially the same as always. Nothing amazing, nothing beneficial, no new interesting characters... a pleasant stop on the way to something bigger. Which I'm actually not really looking forward to. Thor: The Dark World confirmed to me that the only real life line in the Marvel world is Iron Man. If, instead of saving the world, he's worrying about what is going on inside his head. Otherwise, it's a wooden costumed opera that is nice to look at, but it doesn't really move anything forward. I liked the first film more, because everything was new and detailed. The second film just successfully draws from it. Edit: No, I cannot give it 4 stars compared to Iron Man 3... [65%] (05.11.2013)

If Iron Man 3 raised hopes that Marvel movies could at last escape being such predictable “run-of-the-mill, mass-produced, paint-by-numbers movies, inoffensive and targeted at everybody and so suitable for nobody in the end" and head out on their own path, the new Thor tramples this hope deep into the earth. None of it is downright bad, but nothing is downright good either; it’s simply an unambitious safe bet, like most of the previous movies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It is only really good where it isn’t taking itself seriously. And moments like that are few and far between; Loki’s cameo conjuring, the coat hanger, the subway, the monster with the doves... And that’s about all. In the end we get about thirty seconds of real entertainment and all the rest is just make-believe? (08.11.2013)

Characters forged in the fantasy vein lure you with proper star wars, car keys fall through portals, and Tom Hiddleston's hair tears the canvas to pieces. I have a pretty big weakness for Asgardians and I am therefore perfectly happy about the fact that, even this time around, I spent the way home from the cinema all appreciative smiles (when anyone was passing by) and simulating how to "properly throw Mjolnir" (when no one was around). Still, I have no problem accepting most of the critiques. A villain who was too straightforward, a slightly nonsensical opening, a game about yet another uncontrollable substance? It's all there and this studio tactic is probably not going to change anytime soon. But there is still Chris Hemsworth's growing charisma, Loki's quips literally at every opportunity, and the final battle within the intertwining of various worlds, which is possibly the best Marvel finale. Thank you. (25.11.2013)

Taylor doesn’t manage to balance the dramatic and comedy levels and so the viewer goes from the brink of tears to dumb giggling in the course of a minute. I know this because I was sitting next to a zitty nerd and I saw moments of total fascination alternate with obscene whooping. It lacks a sense of gradation because the picture gets to its peak in the middle, the beginning is a little slow and the ending is simply too cursory (after the battle in London). Otherwise, the second Thor is meant to sell the wider Marvel universe, to explain, introduce and amaze, which it does. It has no hesitation in piling on sweeping scenes where nothing less than the fate of that universe is at stake. Between its annihilation and the villain stand a bunch of incompetent scientists, a muscleman with a hammer and a pathological liar/fraudster/mass murderer. The most entertaining of those is the last named. Yes, Loki rules again (literally) and steals the scenes he appears in. Asgard is presented in its full glory at last, as well as others of the nine worlds on that tree or whatever it is. Evil elves are great baddies, with very novel firearms and effective grenades. Fights galore, even if a firmer hand and more ideas would have been great. Poor Natalie ended up with definitely the dumbest character (probably as the antithesis of God) and however much her dress suits her, that is the only upside that can be claimed. The post credits scene is linked strongly to The Collector, especially in the remarks appearing in discussions. Great things are planned and the world of the Guardians of the Galaxy looks really weird and even inviting. I’m sincerely curious. P.S.: The Capo’s cameo is one of his best. God bless Ameri... (12.11.2013)

I struggled quite a bit with the first phase of the MCU, and the first Thor was one of the films that held me back the most. But strangely enough, The Dark World has grown on me, and the second phase of the MCU is becoming more bearable. Perhaps it is because there was nothing overly special to explain and we could get straight to the point. Natalie Portman's charms were also finally taken advantage of and the whole thing was a lot more fun. So if this is the final shape that all those origins and the first team-up had to suffer for, then fine. But it took five years. (15.05.2015)

Thor is a weaker comic character than the Avengers, Batman, or Superman. Not that Asgard is not visually attractive or even epic, because it definitely is, it reminded me of the aerial shots on Helm's Deep or Minas Tirith from Lord of the Rings. Unfortunately, the characters in this film, including the main one, are simplistic, straightforward, and mostly boring, especially Loki. The same goes for the screenplay. So, you can expect heroic speeches, a few jokes, a hideous main villain, a hideous secondary villain, a group of heroes in equal numbers, a woman who beautifies the screen, several action scenes, and rhythmic music, so to speak. Oh, and of course, a reference in the last shot confidently heading towards the third installment. WEAKS. There are only two iconic scenes (Loki facing the Monster and Idris Elba as the conqueror of spaceships Part 1), nothing more. Isn't that too little for 180 million? (11.11.2013)

I liked the first Thor better, mainly because there were no moments to smile about, but rather regular jokes and gags. There are only a few of these in the sequel, and they're really good... But there aren't enough of them. I'm actually not very clear on what kind of movie this was supposed to be. The "dark" subtitle suggests a kind of fateful spectacle with a more serious note, but what a surprise - the "funny one" was also much more serious! Or did Kenneth Branagh just make it seem that way? Aha! I think I've hit the nail on the head (whilst wielding Mjolnir)! Well, fortunately, none of this means that Thor: The Dark World was bad or that it wasn’t entertaining. It's imaginative and brisk entertainment, it doesn't offend and there's little that doesn't need to be there (poor Stellan Skarsgård got a good beating from the script). Even Loki's "improvement" didn't bother me that much (the moment when he reads a book in his cell undisturbed made me laugh out loud, just like Thor's ride on the subway). I decided to add a fourth star for the portal finale, which was really well thought out and unexpectedly playful. And, lest I forget, the great post-credit scene. (12.11.2013)

I'm quite sorry to say this, but if it weren't for the great visual spectacle and omnipresent humor, the film would be incredibly mediocre. It's a boring romance with no progression, a villain nobody has ever really heard of, big battles that only look big because they're well filmed, and once again, London gets a bit destroyed. It's nice that you enjoy these films, but I'm expecting a bit more. However, it seems like Marvel will be fine. Financially, the film won't be a flop, and we can look forward to something very similar next time. Hurray... (10.11.2013)

A pretty standard Marvel movie. That is, epic action and an extreme load of humor and self-parody. Unfortunately, it gets confusing and even boring at times, which is a shame. The first installment was an incredible blast, whereas this time I even had to check my watch a couple of times to see how much time was left until the end. However, all the negatives, which are far from few, are outweighed by the positives, most importantly the main characters, with Tom Hiddleston starting to catch up with Cumberbatch. It's simply a good comic book movie with some unforgettable scenes like the subway, or Captain America. The moment when Thor hanged his hammer on a coat rack was simply hilarious. (02.02.2014)