Thor: The Dark World [4K UHD]

This was a very enjoyable entry into the Marvel Universe Mythos.The actors are very good; Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth are just fine, thank you - their chemistry works well and if not quite Bogey and McCall well at least Powell and Loy. And, oh my, Tom Hiddleston, while he didn't quite steal the show his protrayal of Loki shows why actors love playing villains - they are just so much fun. And Stan Lee's cameo was a hoot.Actually the whole durn cast was pretty right on for me. Jamie Alexander as Sif didn't get enough screen time, nor did Idris Alba as Baldur, just to mention two. To adequately praise the individual cast members would require listing the entire cast.The production is what we've come to expect of Marvel, loud and explosive with new colors being invented every scene it seems. Asgard looks a lot like the Kirby-esque goth I remember from reading the comics as a kid, yet it also seemed more functional, like a real, breathing city that you'd actually want to visit.There are aspects of the storyline that are a little outre, but hey, it's essentially a motion comic and suspension of disbelief is mandatory when you buy the ticket. As much as I did dislike some of the plot elements I didn't dislike them all that much and they were internally consistent enough to not be too annoying.But the real story is the relationship between Thor and Loki and that story is so satisfying. But then again, the story between Thor and Loki has ALWAYS been the real story, even in the original myths. And Tom Hiddleston is such a satisfying Loki. Look at me, I'm going all fanboy here. Sheesh.So, Yah, watch this. It's 112 minutes well spent.

If you liked the original "Thor", your not going to be disappointed with this sequel. The storyline continues 2 years later from the original,and as the predecessor, this too has awesome graphics and special effects. The rainbow bridge has been repaired and even reinforced with towers and suspensions which is really a sight to see.The movie is full of action and drama, especially with the new characters,enemies introduced. The dark elves.I don't want to go into any detail so as not to spoil it for anyone.They also tastefully tell the love story between the hero Thor and Jane, who was left waiting for Thor's return in the first movie. The movie even cleverly makes reference to Thor's return to earth in 'The Avengers', to which Jane makes us aware of and also she being a little pissed because Thor neglected to stop by or even say "hi" to her. We also learn that Loki survived his fall from the rainbow bridge, for those who did not see 'The Avengers', who our hero is forced to employ in a plan to save Jane and prevent Asgard and its inhabitants from any further harm. Part of the story is a planetary alignment is occurring during the course of events, and some of the fight scenes that occur between our hero and his new antagonist are incredible with the both of them falling and going back and forth between realms. The special effects make it so realistic and the job is seamless and spectacular. There is so much for the viewer to enjoy , and the story never gets boring. This is definitely a must see for those who have seen the original, and will most likely make viewers who missed it want to see it.

This was just before the Marvel Clowns took over this series. It is well done, lot's of action, a great story, and you won't turn away. It doesn;t become part comedy as in the later movies, and tells the story. One of my favorite Marvel Universe stories before politics entered their writing

Like most of the other-worldly heros- It's entertaining enough.

The first Thor was a problematic film for me. I loved the actors, I loved the Jack-Kirby-perfect Asgard, but the film itself felt flat. Perhaps it was the rather disorganized plot, perhaps it was the way it followed the same strategy as films like Time Guardian and Galaxia, beginning in lush sci-fi locales but migrating to a small town to save money later on. Avengers further attached me to Hemsworth's Thor, and so I was really looking forward to seeing him get a grander, more developed outing. Thor: the Dark World does not disappoint.Once again, the source of troubles is another race of ancient magic aliens, this time the Dark Elves led by their king Malekith (Christopher Eccleston, still failing to buck that Doctor Who typecasting). The Dark Elves (who are more or less the Eldar from Warhammer 40,000 for all intents and purposes) are the longtime enemies of the Asgardians, but after an apocolyptic battle only a handful of them remain. Awakened by the coming alignment of all the worlds connected by Yggdrasil (they hyperspace network that connects all the worlds Thor and his pals hang out on) Malekith and his creepily masked flunkies set out to recover the Ether, a spooky living weapon that will blot out all light in the universe.Predictably conflict ensues. Through a series of accidents the Ether winds up living inside Thor's human sweetheart, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) where it will grow until it devours her. Defying Odin, Thor hatches a surprisingly cunning plan to dupe Malekith into removing the Ether from Foster so he can destroy the Elven leader and his weapon in one go. Things don't go so swimmingly, and it all comes down to a ludicrously silly, magnificently well-done battle across dimensions for the fate of the universe (with a tube ride through London in the middle).If, like me, you loved everything about Thor but just wanted it to be better, then this is the film for you. Thor and Foster's romance, forced and simplistic in the first movie, is played out well here. Asgard, before just a shiny setpiece, is now a well-built series of believable locations with an aged, lived-in feel to them. The Dark Elves, unlike the thuggish Frost Giants, have a technology and martial prowess that seems genuinely threatening. Baddie Eccleston does a decent enough job, although he lacks some of his scenery chewing prowess that we've seen in films like G.I. Joe and 28 Days Later. Even Foster's intern Darcy (Kat Dennings) is a tolerable comic presence this time around. And of course we get more Stellan Skarsgård, who is always fabulous.Real credit is due, however, to Tom Hiddleston as Loki. I felt sure that after two films as the big bad I'd be sick of him, but his turn as Thor's crafty, somewhat unwilling accomplice is meaty and exciting. You genuinely can't tell how much of his behavior is sincere and how much of it is buildup to some treachery- without giving too much away, even though Loki is on Thor's side in this film, he is by far a more dangerous force than Malekith. Just wait for it.Of course there are also some little tidbits thrown in at the end of the film to foreshadow future installments, which are now all but guaranteed to echo the Infinity Gauntlet storyline (as if seeing Thanos in Avengers wasn't a big enough clue). What this means for the next Avengers and other Marvel properties is anyone's guess, but color me excited as all get out.I can think of very few bad things to say about this film to counterbalance the good. Sif and the Warriors Three are still rather underused (but then Thor already has another super team) and Idris Elba's Heimdall is still solidly a supporting character (although he does fight a spaceship using parkour and stabbing, so that's pretty cool). There are also some effects that seem a little odd- a thrown boulder near the middle looks a little wobbly-fake, and in the climax Malekith grows to enormous proportions which is not really made clear until he starts fighting Thor. By and large, though, this is a very very good film, and the acting, writing and visuals are nearly above reproach.Pros:-Exactly like the first Thor only better-Boasts a big sense of scale and tension-Skilled cast elevates it above just a comic book movieCons:-A few wonky effects here and there-Lacks the memorable, bombastic theme music we've seen in other Marvel films