Thor: The Dark World

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)

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)

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)

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)

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? (10/11/2013)