snowmutt
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- Jul 4, 2011
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Okay.... saw "Thor: The Dark World" this week, and let me tell ya:
Among the better Marvel movies. Period. First off, it does not try to be anything other then what it is supposed to be: a fun movie. Trying to change the world? Nah. Trying to make a statement? Nope. Trying to take itself seriously? Come on- this is based on a comic book which is based on Norse Mythology- you know, Viking Gods. How serious can you be?? This movie has about a dozen points where it just winks at the audience and says "That's right, we just went there!!"
But what it doesn't skimp on are the two most important areas- story and characters you care about. The character development of Thor shows once and for all how smart Marvel was to lock up Chris Hemsworth. This guy just improves with every role. He has charisma, but just also knows how to let those around him own a scene. It is to his credit he shines without ever overshadowing other characters. That is vital in a movie with as many moving parts as this movie has. He makes Thor human, no small feet. I think of how wooden I found Henry Cavill I found in "Man of Steel". His Superman was conflicted, but I never found him to have weakness or bought any of the doubts that the movie tried to sell. But with "Thor", Hemsworth presents the God of Thunder full of regrets and insecurity. You beleive it, and you are brought into his world quickly.
Tom Hiddleston, of course, steals every scene he is in, oozing mischief and charisma. Christopher Eccleston is not given much time to develop his evil Dark Elf Malekith, and it is to his credit that he sells the motivation of his character which helps push the action.
Amazing standouts reside in Asgard- Jaimie Alexander is excellent as Sif, Zachary Levi improves the role of Fandrel over Josh Dallas from the first movie. Ray Stevenson is so great in his role as the hard fighting, hard partying Volstagg I have almost forgiven him for what he did to the Frank Castle character in "Punisher: War Zone." Idris Elba stole the first movie as Heimdall, and while he does not stand out as much in this he brings a nobility to the Asgardian Sentry. Rene Russo is excellent and underused as Frigga, Queen of the Gods.
The set pieces and action sequences are excellent. Alan Taylor never lets the movie lag, and while plot holes are there, nothing is left glaring to make the movie feel empty.
Not everything is perfect- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is never given enough to do as the Henchmen of the Elves "Kurse". Stellan Sarsgard adds nothing and almost feels out of place, like his character was written for a campy comedy sketch on "SNL". Kat Dennings has charisma, but I never felt her character or her boyfriend belonged on this level. Natalie Portman is excellent, as always, in her role as Jane Foster, but the connection she had with Hemsworth is not as good as it was in the first film. (Thor/Sif was much better.)
No real downside to this movie. The end fight is among the best ever filmed. Go see it if you even have a HINT of geek in you.
8/10.
Among the better Marvel movies. Period. First off, it does not try to be anything other then what it is supposed to be: a fun movie. Trying to change the world? Nah. Trying to make a statement? Nope. Trying to take itself seriously? Come on- this is based on a comic book which is based on Norse Mythology- you know, Viking Gods. How serious can you be?? This movie has about a dozen points where it just winks at the audience and says "That's right, we just went there!!"
But what it doesn't skimp on are the two most important areas- story and characters you care about. The character development of Thor shows once and for all how smart Marvel was to lock up Chris Hemsworth. This guy just improves with every role. He has charisma, but just also knows how to let those around him own a scene. It is to his credit he shines without ever overshadowing other characters. That is vital in a movie with as many moving parts as this movie has. He makes Thor human, no small feet. I think of how wooden I found Henry Cavill I found in "Man of Steel". His Superman was conflicted, but I never found him to have weakness or bought any of the doubts that the movie tried to sell. But with "Thor", Hemsworth presents the God of Thunder full of regrets and insecurity. You beleive it, and you are brought into his world quickly.
Tom Hiddleston, of course, steals every scene he is in, oozing mischief and charisma. Christopher Eccleston is not given much time to develop his evil Dark Elf Malekith, and it is to his credit that he sells the motivation of his character which helps push the action.
Amazing standouts reside in Asgard- Jaimie Alexander is excellent as Sif, Zachary Levi improves the role of Fandrel over Josh Dallas from the first movie. Ray Stevenson is so great in his role as the hard fighting, hard partying Volstagg I have almost forgiven him for what he did to the Frank Castle character in "Punisher: War Zone." Idris Elba stole the first movie as Heimdall, and while he does not stand out as much in this he brings a nobility to the Asgardian Sentry. Rene Russo is excellent and underused as Frigga, Queen of the Gods.
The set pieces and action sequences are excellent. Alan Taylor never lets the movie lag, and while plot holes are there, nothing is left glaring to make the movie feel empty.
Not everything is perfect- Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is never given enough to do as the Henchmen of the Elves "Kurse". Stellan Sarsgard adds nothing and almost feels out of place, like his character was written for a campy comedy sketch on "SNL". Kat Dennings has charisma, but I never felt her character or her boyfriend belonged on this level. Natalie Portman is excellent, as always, in her role as Jane Foster, but the connection she had with Hemsworth is not as good as it was in the first film. (Thor/Sif was much better.)
No real downside to this movie. The end fight is among the best ever filmed. Go see it if you even have a HINT of geek in you.
8/10.
jk. Yeah I Iiked the new Thor movie as well. Had a lot more humour for me as well.
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