THOR: THE DARK WORLD
US, 2013, 112 minutes, Colour.
Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Eccleston, Jaimie Alexander, Zachary Levi, Ray Stevenson, Idris Elba, René Russo, Adewale Akinnuoue- Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Stellan Slarsgaard, Alice Kriege, Clive Russell, Chris O' Dowd, Stan Lee.
Directed by Alan Taylor.
A venerable film reviewer often used a phrase to indicate that he thought a film was rather silly: ‘a load of codswallop’. Thor: The Dark World probably deserves this epithet, though in a kindly way. It is an enjoyable, though not great, Marvel Comics entertainment. But the plot is rather silly and the screenplay does not want to take the proceedings too seriously. There are quite a number of deadpan lines and some sending up of the heroes and villains. As with other Marvel Comics films, it is best to wait to see the inserted trailer of a film to come, this time featuring The Collector. And, better still to wait until the very end of the long credits where there is another minute of the plot, with the happiest of endings as well as a tongue-in-cheek joke.
Once again, Chris Hemsworth is the hero, Thor. He is more confident than ever, deep-voiced, vocally articulate, full of swagger. As before, he has to defy his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins more rhetorical than ever), grieve the death of his mother (Rene Russo), who is given a Viking funeral. He has to confront sinister and evil powers, deal with his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston relishing the role again), going back and forth between Asgard and Earth, teaming up with scientist Jane (Natalie Portman). In this sense, the story is not full of surprises as was the original film.
And, once again, there is an evil race, led by Christopher Eccleston, who have discovered the Aether, which they need to possess in order to take world domination, especially at the time of the configuration of the nine elements. This means that there are many sinister scenes and battles, especially to introduce the story. Meanwhile, on earth, scientist Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgaard), has gone berserk running around Stonehenge with his equipment butt naked, landing in in a mental institution. Jane is still doing her work but goes out to lunch with a co-worker, a cameo by Chris O’ Dowd. Her assistant Darcy, Kat Jennings, is still sardonic, but has a naff intern, Ian (Jonathan Howard). And then Thor turns up on earth after two years’ absence, with Jane angry at him.
However, with the threats of the enemy, Jane is taken up to Asgard and later abducted with Thor rescuing her as she becomes a victim of the enemy, wanting to take her life-force. Loki is imprisoned before Thor takes the risk, with conditions, for Loki to help him in his mission. But the climax is to be held on earth, in London for a change instead of New York or an American City, specifically at Greenwich where it will be meantime in more senses than one.
More battles, more heroics, more romance.
One of the advantages of the sequel is that there is a good deal of attention given to Loki, the fans having appreciated him in the original film as well as in The Avengers. He has quite a few amusing comments and ironic remarks, which audibly pleased the preview audience a great deal. Since the screenplay, serious, does not always take itself too seriously, there are some amusing moments which make the codswallop acceptable.
1. The popularity of superhero films? The universe of Marvel Comics? From comics to films? The place of Thor in this universe?
2. The planet of Asgard, the variety of planets, the Frost Giants? The special effects for the galaxies? Action for battle sequences? The contrast with Earth, New Mexico, ordinary, the scientists, the investigations? The musical score?
3. Chris Hemsworth as Thor, his appearance, voice, in action? The contrast with Loki, Tom Hiddleston, Black in clothes and heart? Anthony Hopkins as Odin, the patriarch? René Russo as his wife? Life in Asgard, in the Viking era, in the present? The bridge and portal between Asgard and earth? The guardian?
4. This film as a sequel? The characters, situations? Developments?
5. The background story of the Dark Elves? Malikith as leader? The past, Borl, father of Odin, and his clash with them? The issue of the Aether? Malikith and the threat, the battle, defeat? The Aether taken, preserved by the column? The creatures in suspended animation?
6. The action in the present? Loki in prison? His crimes, on earth? Thor and his three Warriors? The Rainbow Bridge? The Guardian? Connection once more to Earth?
7. The action in London, Jane and Darcy, the science, their work, going to the factory, the portholes? Jane and her being transported, the victim of the Aether? The role of the Guardian? Going to Thor, his search for Jane, taking her to Asgard? Odin and his disapproval? Threats?
8. Malikith and his allies, the attack? Frigga and her protecting Jane, her death? The reaction of Odin? Loki, the information, his being a lure for Malekith? The issues of vengeance?
9. Loki, fighting, his death? Malikith possessed by the Aether?
10. London, Jane and Darcy? Finding Erik, the background of the effect of the previous encounter, in the institution, getting out?
11. London, Greenwich, the Convergence, the time? Malikith and the Dark Elves? The battles, the portals, the interchanges between the different planets? Malikith and his ship
and his death?
12. The revelation about Loki, impersonating Odin? Continually a trickster?
13. The credits sequences, the Collector, his role? Jane and Thor and the releasing of the monster?
