Thor - The Dark World

Thor - The Dark World

Rated PG-13 and Released in Grand Rapids 10/4/13

Reviewed 10/8/13 at Celebration Cinema Carousel

with Gary, Denny, Jerry and Reilley

3 out of 5 Js in QUIET Rating System

This was a more rambunctious Thor than the first one. Adding a little more wit and even complexity to the plot helped this along for broader appeal. At first it was somewhat confusing to Gary, my dad and I, but it's one of those films that works itself out and by the end the puzzle is all superficial and doesn't matter. Also what doesn't really matter is if Chris Hemsworth as Thor can act or not, now does it? The rest of the cast doesn't have that luxury, except for Natalie Portman as Jane Foster. We all really liked it and Jerry and my nephew Reilly filled in some necessary gaps that were essential to understanding the ending.

The movie toggles between Earth and planet Asgard where the superhero Thor and the God-like family rule and protect the universe. Love interest astrophysicist Jane and her staff are running around London trying to solve the gateway to other worlds and the significance of these planets aligning. Meanwhile, Thor has been absent for almost two years from Earth and Jane, but he has a good excuse - he is protecting his planet from the ruler of the dark elves Svartalfheim.

Thor busts back to Earth after there is a lapse in the one-man monitoring system and he needs to check on Jane. He spontaneously brings her back to his planet, just before all hell breaks loose. Thor's father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) is not as welcoming as mother Frigga (Rene Russo) of the human Jane.

Then there is black sheep brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) who adds much of the humor and drama to the story. He is locked up after the first installment for betraying just about everyone. With the elves onslaught, Thor has to call on Loki for a helping hand in fighting off the enemy. Even if it means going against the family wishes. Things spiral and happen rather quickly with worlds and forces colliding. Great action ensues and even a twist that we all missed, except Jerry and Reilly. This was a marvelous Marvel comic story. A rarity that the sequel was actually superior over the first, but Thor - The Dark World was much better and definitely worth a trip.

QUIET Rating system: 3 JJJs

Quality: JJj

Understood story:  JJ

Interest: JJJ

Entertainment:  JJJJ

Time:  JJJ