Josh Wilding Reviews: THOR: THE DARK WORLD; "Another Tick In The Win Column For Marvel"

Josh Wilding Reviews: THOR: THE DARK WORLD; "Another Tick In The Win Column For Marvel"

Thor: The Dark World currently has an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes, so it's clear that the majority of reviews have so far been extremely positive. Well, as you may have guessed from the title, this is another! Hit the jump for my spoiler-free verdict of Alan Taylor's take on the God of Thunder!

Review Opinion
By JoshWilding - Oct 30, 2013 12:10 PM EST
Filed Under: Thor


While it may not have a particularly strong start (despite the very cool new Marvel Studios logo it opens with), Thor: The Dark World soon finds its feet and proves itself to be just as good as both the first movie and this summer's Iron Man 3. Many didn't appreciate the focus on humour in the latter, but it arguably DID work for a character like Tony Stark. Would the same sort of tone work for Thor? No, and director Alan Taylor thankfully finds the right balance with only one or two major laughs - at entirely appropriate moments - and the odd few humorous scenes scattered throughout. These in no way detract from the strong drama and story, instead helping to lighten the tension and keep things flowing nicely without the movie ever getting too ridiculously dark.

With no disrespect meant to Thor director Kenneth Branagh, Taylor's take on the God of Thunder and Asgard feels like what the last movie SHOULD have been. The world just feels more real now and far less sterile than before; hiring the Game of Thrones director was a smart decision and he also has an extremely impressive handle on action scenes (battles with both Kurse and Malekith are superb), despite working with the biggest budget of his career here. If he does go on to helm Terminator 5, that's yet another franchise which will be in VERY good hands. Talking of effects, the CGI is flawless in the movie (apart from maybe one or two green screen moments in Asgard), and Thor: The Dark World will without a doubt be featured in countless lists of people counting down the most epic comic book movie fight scenes.

In terms of performances, it's hard to fault the movie. I hated Kat Dennings' super-annoying Darcy in the Thor, but she's actually rather endearing here. Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston's chemistry is as electric as ever, and the scenes they share are as pure gold as they have been in the past. There's just enough of Loki here for us to neither get sick of him or for the spotlight to be taken from the title character. I'm not a Doctor Who fan, so I was by no means overjoyed when they cast Christopher Eccleston as Malekith. Some may criticize him for being "one-dimensional", etc., but that's just unnecessary pretentiousness talking. He has a simple and understandable goal - like almost all comic book villains - and makes it personal for Thor along the way. Sure, he won't ever be remembered as one of the all-time greats, but he's effective and frightening enough here, while it's also a solid performance from Eccleston. The supporting cast are all brilliant, although Stellan Skarsgård's Erik Selvig feels totally wasted. The Warriors Three and Sif don't get an awful lot of screen time, but there's really no need for more than what they have, and when they are present they're a lot of fun!

Thor: The Dark World may not be the perfect movie, but it's without a doubt the perfect Thor movie, just as many argued that Man of Steel was the perfect Superman movie. It delivers on an emotional level, a dramatic one and to a much lesser extent, a comedic one too (without ever becoming an action-comedy, a la Iron Man 3). Among its highlights are perhaps the greatest cameo in a Marvel movie EVER and an ending which will leaving you praying to Odin that one of their unannounced 2016 movies is a third Thor. I hate 3D, but this is actually a really good transfer (miles ahead of both The Avengers and Iron Man 3), while it looks great in IMAX despite not being filmed in the format. Be sure to stick around right until the end too for a VERY interesting look at what's to come!

Another tick in the win column for Marvel Studios, Thor: The Dark World is a must-see.









Marvel’s "Thor: The Dark World" continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel’s "Thor" and "Marvel’s The Avengers," Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.


STARRING:

Chris Hemsworth as Thor
Tom Hiddleston as Loki
Anthony Hopkins as Odin
Natalie Portman as Jane Foster
Zachary Levi as Fandral
Ray Stevenson as Volstagg
Tadanobu Asano as Hogun
Jaimie Alexander as Sif
Idris Elba as Heimdall
Christopher Eccleston as Malekith

RELEASE DATE: November 8th, 2013
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NovaCorpsFan
NovaCorpsFan - 10/30/2013, 12:44 PM
And the mid-credit scene was great.
NovaCorpsFan
NovaCorpsFan - 10/30/2013, 12:45 PM
The movie was awesome, I just saw it.
brickwall
brickwall - 10/30/2013, 12:46 PM
I hope Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje smashes it as Kurse. Can't wait to see if this lives up to the hype, IM3 was such a let down.
BlackPhillip
BlackPhillip - 10/30/2013, 12:47 PM
Wow! I thought you would have trashed this movie, Josh.
MatTaylorX
MatTaylorX - 10/30/2013, 12:49 PM
Man of Steel was the perfect Superman movie? Who the hell thinks that?!
McNyagano
McNyagano - 10/30/2013, 12:50 PM
The Kurse vs Thor fight was EPIC and intense.:D Can't wait to see this again on Friday.:')
DefcoN
DefcoN - 10/30/2013, 12:53 PM
I envy you Josh. I get to wait a little bit longer for this one :(
McNyagano
McNyagano - 10/30/2013, 12:55 PM
I disagree on the humour and Malekith. The humour sometimes went over-board, granted I was laughing my face off but during the final battle, the humour was a bit pointless there and took away from the tension. Malekith was underdeveloped. I think he was just an excuse to have Thor bash him around and have the final battle with. I expected more from him to be honest. Great movie overall. :D
ParisSun
ParisSun - 10/30/2013, 12:57 PM
Not sure if I can trust Josh's review based off him saying MoS was the perfect Superman movie but this is starting to sound like another great outing for Marvel.

Batmaniac and his cronies are nearing the ledge as we speak.
Mike89
Mike89 - 10/30/2013, 12:57 PM
Good to hear this movie isnt as bad as some of the so-so reviews ive seen lately. cant wait for this.
Minghagz
Minghagz - 10/30/2013, 12:59 PM
Excellent. I can't wait to see this. The tone from the trailers puts off the vibe I want to see, so I will judge for myself the recent citicisms if there is truly over the top comedy when I see it.
Jebediah
Jebediah - 10/30/2013, 1:00 PM
lol every Josh review of a Marvel movie is 5 stars. How much is Disney paying you Josh?
MarkV
MarkV - 10/30/2013, 1:00 PM
Just as good as Iron Man 3?

Umm..I do not think that means what you think it means.
McNyagano
McNyagano - 10/30/2013, 1:02 PM
@ParisSun

Batmaniac and his cronies are nearing the ledge as we speak.




Did you really have to go there?smh
SuperCat
SuperCat - 10/30/2013, 1:04 PM
Well done, Josh.
JossWeedOnMe
JossWeedOnMe - 10/30/2013, 1:05 PM
Do not hope for anything great for the end credits scene. This film remind dedicated me of im3 but without the stupid twist. Darcy and her mate were just as bad as the parents in transformers. The audience laughed more in this film hat when I went to see the hangover.. Wtf is that all about... They spoiled it for me... Next time I'm going when it's empty
SauronsBANE
SauronsBANE - 10/30/2013, 1:05 PM
No offense Josh, but this seems like way too optimistic of a review, based on the things others have been saying about the movie. Or you just were very forgiving of the flaws. Obviously you've seen it and I haven't, so I'll have to wait before I saw anything concrete about it.

But I'd love for you to better explain what you meant about Malekith as a villain. I've heard the same complaints about him being one-dimensional, and that really doesn't sound like "pretentiousness" to me. It sounds like a valid complaint.

'Some may criticize him for being "one-dimensional", etc., but that's just unnecessary pretentiousness talking. He has a simple and understandable goal - like almost all comic book villains...'

I feel like you imply that since it's a comic book movie, the villain and his motivations don't have to make all that much sense, as long as he makes it personal for the hero. That seems wrong to me. Or maybe I'm reading into it too much. Would love for a little clarification!
BlackPhillip
BlackPhillip - 10/30/2013, 1:06 PM
Have fun, @Batmaniac.
janitra
janitra - 10/30/2013, 1:09 PM
Watched it, yes it's good.
Better than the first movie, even though I loved the first one.

Few haven't realized it yet, but Thor trilogy might even be the second best superhero trilogy after The Dark Knight
NoAssemblyReqd
NoAssemblyReqd - 10/30/2013, 1:09 PM
Yay for TDW!

Oh, could we please retire the phrase "It may not be a perfect movie"?
CaptainAmerica31
CaptainAmerica31 - 10/30/2013, 1:10 PM
This guy gives a lot 5 stars. Although I'm looking forward to TDW. Josh lost his creditability with me after he gave PR like 1 out 5 stars and transformers more than it ever deserved. But I'm liking what the more trustworthy critics on here say
superotherside
superotherside - 10/30/2013, 1:11 PM
Can't wait to see it. Sadly will probably have to wait a whole week. :(
JossWeedOnMe
JossWeedOnMe - 10/30/2013, 1:12 PM
At least we can put out hopes on catws to not go all out for laughs...marvel have an agenda they think they are going to get more bums on seats bu
t putting in cheap inappropriate gags?
TheWolverine08
TheWolverine08 - 10/30/2013, 1:14 PM
I don't trust anything Wilding says. Does everything for clicks. Probably doesn't even feel this way.
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 10/30/2013, 1:17 PM
I've reviewed at least twenty movies for CBM this year, and have given only this and Iron Man 3 a 5* rating. But sure, "This guy gives a lot 5 stars." :)
JossWeedOnMe
JossWeedOnMe - 10/30/2013, 1:19 PM
!!!!! Spoiler!!!!



How was Erik selvig running round but naked appropriate
TheWolverine08
TheWolverine08 - 10/30/2013, 1:20 PM
@MAC @Pasto Josh goes wherever the wind blows. If he's feeling Marvel one week he'll be positive about them, if he likes DC one week he'll kiss up to them etc. I can't take anything the guy writes seriously.
NoAssemblyReqd
NoAssemblyReqd - 10/30/2013, 1:23 PM
It blows my mind that Marvel has essentially launched more than half a dozen movie franchises within a universe that could run for decades. There will surely be duds along the way (some may say there already have been), but they will be like pebbles in a fast moving river. Can't wait to see what the MCU will look like by the end of Phase 3.
McNyagano
McNyagano - 10/30/2013, 1:24 PM
@MartianAbominationClone

As far as the final showdown, I thought the use of those 'portal' things was a pretty great idea and worked for both interesting action sequences and humour. I was laughing HARD at the subway thing, as well as the times when Thor would throw his hammer accidentally into the portal or something. Kat Dennings' character was the one providing a lot of the humour in the final battle ugh

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