Film: Thor: the Dark World (2013) [Dir. Alan Taylor, starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Christopher Ecclestone)
No, I don't just go and see films with Chris Hemsworth in, I promise. It's just he's been in some darn good'uns recently.
Now, you probably don't know me particularly well (and if you do, hello guys!) but something that's extremely obvious about me when you meet me is that I have a wee obsession with Marvel superhero films. Actually, it's not that wee. When I was ~9, the first XMen movie came out and I was lost. Lost to a world of mutants and superpowers and good vs evil and it was everything I loved. Of course, XMen had a bumpy movie career with the FANTASTIC X2 and the forgettable X3: The Last Stand (and the less said about Origins the better, in my opinion). Then, more Marvel heroes arose from the comic universe.
We had Spiderman the whole time, swinging through New York and don't get me wrong, I loved him too but Spiderman 3 was an equally TERRIBLE movie so I fell out with him pretty quickly. Also, The Hulk films but given I fell asleep during both of them, I don't feel qualified to comment!.
But then Iron Man and Thor and Captain America (and the relaunch of my boys in Yellow, XMFC - the best movie of 2011 in my opinion) appeared on my radar and it was beautiful. Iron Man was cocky but he was fun. Thor was shouty and he was much less fun. Captain America was the weakest of the trio and despite being a wonderful character, the film was dire.
AND THEN THE AVENGERS ARRIVED. and I rewatched Thor and I basically realised that contrary to popular belief, he was the best Avenger (and I won't hear comments disputing that). So to say I was excited for Thor: The Dark World is an underestimate for the shit my flatmates had to put up with.
Oh this movie.
OH. THIS. MOVIE.
Firstly, as you can see from the poster, this film satisfied one thing for me. More romance between Thor and his lady love, Jane. Yes, they spent two days together in the first film and it's RIDICULOUS that she'd care so much but I'm not fussed. Again, I won't hear you be rude about them.
Secondly, it was just perfect. It was funny and gritty and clever and sad and happy and romantic and yes.
It begins with us meeting our villains for the next two hours; the Dark Elves. Yes, I expected more from them too given how EVIL they are. The 9th Doctor is there, unrecognisable speaking gibberish. We're a long way from Earth now, Toto. The Asgardians arrive, shit goes down and they are all slaughtered except from Malekith and his best mate who vow to be awesome later on.
We move back to the Hall of Science where Loki is returning to Asgard post his temper tantrum that destroyed most of Manhattan to hear his punishment from his douchebag adopted dad, Odin (least. favourite. person. ever). Notably, Frigga, his mother is the person who is most affected by Loki's destructive nature and it's touching and it's sad and Frigga. ♥ One thing I would have maybe loved from Thor 1 and 2 is an exploration of the awesomeness of Frigga. She is perpetually underappreciated as a character, but anyway.
Thor is off sorting out one of the nine realms and doing a mighty good job. Yet again, his exposition is surrounded by war and fighting; in keeping with his nature, I feel. When he returns, he feigns some bullshit to begger off going to a party and instead goes off to see Heimdall (♥♥) and finds out Jane is missing. Then by some weird magical magic that is wiped over, he ends up on Earth (.. why he couldn't have gone to her at some point and been like "I'm a bit busy but I thought I'd mention I haven't forgotten you?" no one knows.) with Jane and it's all beautiful and he takes her to Asgard and then lots and LOTS of things go wrong.
To say this was the film of my dreams is not necessarily true. It was perfect in so many ways but then NOT QUITE. The dynamic between Thor and Loki is played to a tee and you can tell that the actors have fantastic chemistry off-screen because they gel so well on screen. The same can be said for Thor and Jane (I was going to say that, whatever the outcome) and I'm grateful Jane got to continue being badass. The only problem is the end. I have a major, massive, super problem with the end. It was just. Blagh. I got to the end thinking, oh my god, it's honestly my new XMFC and then that. It's EVEN WORSE than Beach Divorce.
I was so disappointed. I expected better. I expected MORE.
The writers are clearly brilliant. They have written an amazing story that plays to the strength of their leads and it works extremely well but why, why, why couldn't they come up with a better closing?
Back to the happy; the acting is topnotch and I enjoyed everyone immensely - they are all wonderful people and Kat Dennings in anything just makes me grin. It's also beautifully shot. Seeing more of Asgard was fantastic and there are some wonderful scenes. Somewhat jealous it's not a real place, it's like a permanent Renaissance fair! Also, seeing other realms was an expansion into an almost endless universe of possibilities. It was grittier and darker than the last one (hint: The Dark World) but personally, I think Thor needed that. His shouty personality and inner spoiled child didn't work in Technicolor in Thor. He needs the grit and dirt.
Ps, for those that care, he is way calmer and less angry in this film. It's a much nicer atmosphere and just cements to me how freaking AWESOME Thor is.
tl;dr?: If you love Thor, this film is for you. If you love Loki, this film is for you. If you love a good fantasy, space epic, please, this film is pretty fantastic, covering the genres well and with respect. If you like Odin, please leave my blog :) ★★★★½
A BOOK REVIEW IS COMING SOON, I PROMISE.
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