Thor: The Dark World

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)

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)

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. (14/05/2015)

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)