We all know from “Thor” and “The Avengers” that Thor is a god who knows how to make a scene, but the hunk with the hammer makes less of an impact in “Thor: The Dark World.”
This Thor (Chris Hemsworth) spends his days lounging about his home planet of Asgard with a melancholy expression, thinking too much of his lovesick astrophysicist girlfriend, Jane (Natalie Portman) and too little of his responsibilities as future king of the universe’s most powerful realm. If we’re going to have a mopey Thor, at least have him fixate on more important problems, like the understandable psychological scarring he has from battling his brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston).
Meanwhile, the film’s vengeful baddies of choice, the Dark Elves, are determined to conquer the soon-to-be-aligned nine realms and unleash darkness. Didn’t see that plot point (or those subtle names) coming, did we?
But first on the agenda is destroying Asgard, of all planets, and reclaiming their lethal weapon Aether, which has chosen a host body in Jane, of all people. Her initial contact with this shrieking wine-like entity also “coincidentally” occurs while she’s stationed in London, miles away from the first film’s location but uselessly pining for Thor all the same.
“Thor: The Dark World” has some colorful action scenes — especially in the climax — but is otherwise forgettable as far as superhero movies go. Originality is as absent from the film as Jane’s plot relevance, and plot twists are nearly nonexistent.
At least the characters remain two-dimensional throughout and the plot has no gaping holes, you may argue. But consistency and predictability on the silver screen should be a rarity nowadays.
The only remotely interesting aspect to the film could be complex anti-hero Loki and his tongue-in-cheek comic relief. But as all his Comic-Con fans can attest to, loving him isn’t anything novel either.
If nothing else, at least a cameo from another prominent Marvel hero will put a smile on your face. But that’s about it.
_MOVE gives “Thor: The Dark World” 3.5 out of 5 stars._