Thor: The Dark World (2013) begins with another Odin monologue about some people that the Asgardians stopped from destroying the world and some ancient relic that they used. Only this time, the relic is an infinity stone. Except, it’s not really a stone. It’s some sentient goo. Malekith and the Dark Elves want the goo to destroy the universe because they hate the sun. After a villain with such clear and relatable motivations, the sun-haters are a tad disappointing. Couldn’t they have given them some other motivation? Maybe Asgard took something from them. Maybe, hell I don’t know, literally anything better than hating the sunlight. They miss the darkness and the sun took that away from them.
The best parts of this adventure are Thor and Loki’s relationship and Frigga. The scenes between Thor and Loki are by far the best in the movie. Hemsworth and Hiddleston have such great chemistry. Thor doesn’t want to be king while Odin is desperate for him to take the throne and Loki does want to be king and Odin refuses to speak with him at all. Thor desperately wants to trust his brother. He plays a big bluff about how he’ll kill Loki if he betrays him. Nonsense. Thor loves Loki. He saves him during the battle on the Dark World. Loki is full of theatrics in this one. First, he helps set up a betrayal-play for the Elves and the audience. Then, he fakes his own death. Thor gets the distinct privilege of watching his brother die for the second time, but it would not be the last.
Frigga is so great. She should have taken the lead in raising Thor and Loki. Odin is literally the worst. He pits his children against each other and just screams at them. Maybe Odin should start to take responsibility for the devastation and chaos his children leave all over the nine realms. Frigga, however, tries to appeal to Loki’s true nature. She sees through the bravado and anger only as a mother could. She knows Loki is really just a hurt child. Furthermore, she sees Thor’s true nature as well. Thor is also just a boy looking for his place in the universe. He doesn’t desire the throne. Odin screams at him for his misplaced desires, while his mother encourages his exploration. Finally, Odin yells and commands everyone except Frigga. Odin says no one will ever visit Loki? Frigga brings him books and conversation on the same day. Odin says Thor can’t see Jane? Frigga escorts and entertains Thor and Jane. Then, she gets her big death scene. She stands up to the Elves and shows off her magic to protect Jane. The lack of exploration of this character is a shame.
Quick Hits
Stan Lee’s cameo is as a patient in the hospital Selvig is in.
Thor’s real character arc is his sense of humor.
Dark-colored movie. Like…as in the Dark World
Loki outshines Malekith.
Team Asgard: World Police
Odin is an arsehole.
The final battle was different. Less smashing and more falling.
The visuals in Thor: The Dark World were unique.
Heimdall commits treason…. again.
Funny little “Steve Rogers” cameo.
SHIELD never shows up. Of course not. Most of this is in space. Then Darcy calls them and they leave her on voicemail.
Overall, TDW was a good addition to the MCU. The side characters have a larger plot than in most. They provide a nice comedic effect. The effect was much needed because of the intense nature of Thor and Loki’s storylines. In no way, shape, or form would I have seen Thor Ragnorak (2017) coming after watching this. Each rendition of Thor has a different director and therefore a different style. First, we had Brannagh’s Shakespearean Thor. Then, we had Alan Taylor’s Game of Thrones Thor. Then…you’ll just have to come back and read about it several weeks from now. While I love the Thor and Loki scenes, TDW doesn’t compare to the other two Thor films.