Thor: The Dark World

Also known as Thor 2: The Second Thor Movie

Down and Dirty: Solid action movie. If you enjoy fantasy/sci-fi, you’ll enjoy this.

Director: Alan Taylor

Big Names: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins

Do you remember when CGI started to look good a handful of years ago? As in truly believable, to the point where you couldn’t tell what was green screen and what wasn’t? Well we’ve reached that point…and totally surpassed it. Thor: The Dark World is an exploration in fictional storytelling. Ten years ago, this film simply would not have been able to be made. The setting of the movie, the fantastical world of Asgard, feels eerily real thanks to the high quality production. Almost like it’s a possible exotic vacation destination you are seeing an advert for. The cinematography is gorgeous. Crisp colors, seamless panoramic shots, and versatile environments pop up often with extraordinary ease. Director Alan Taylor has captured the most important part of the Thor franchise: the grandeur of the setting. Without perfecting this aspect, the film would probably break down the second the characters leave Earth. Thankfully this doesn’t happen. In fact, the entire time the characters were on Earth I was wondering when we were going to get back to the action on the fascinating and beautiful outer realms of the universe. This film is a prime example of how CGI technology can bring imagination to life. See for yourself, the sprawling wonder of Asgard is pictured below.

Apart from being a beautiful movie though, The Dark World is extremely entertaining. Do not be turned off by the typical high fantasy introduction surrounding 'dark elves' and magic stones. These are merely the catalysts for all the cool action that is about to go down. High-strung battle sequences are bookended by quick, meaningful plot devices. The characters are interesting, funny, and lovable (except the evil elf lord, no one could love him). I expected the Norse dialogue to be longwinded with distracting accents, but honestly it is witty, concise, and occasionally hilarious. As Thor, Chris Hemsworth literally throws his weight around on screen and it is delightful to watch him break stuff. Natalie Portman is just your typical American chick, working on her thesis, dealing with interns, and getting emotionally invested with a Norse god. Kat Dennings, Portman’s assistant, provides poignant comic relief as she observes the unusual relationship. And she does it in such a way that it becomes clear the film doesn’t take itself too seriously. I think these comedic moments help bridge the gap for viewers who aren’t diehard fantasy fans, as they can simply appreciate a good laugh alongside the comic book fanboys.

On paper, this film really shouldn’t be that good. It seems like a lot of recycled material from both the fantasy and science fiction genres. You won’t find anything terribly new here from a story standpoint, but the film knows what it is and proceeds accordingly.  It’s just a fun ride. Despite being a fantasy/ science fiction crossover with lots of cliché artifacts and elvish lore, it still feels original. Nothing feels unnecessary or overused and I found myself super entertained throughout. Alan Taylor is known for his directorial work on TV, but he made quite a splash here with his first big-budget action film. If you want to go enjoy a fun action movie with a lot of fantasy elements, this is for you.

P.S. Stick around after the credits for an incredibly weird scene featuring Benicio Del Toro with blonde hair.