Thor : The Dark World

Rating : 8/10
Release Date : 8th November, 2013
Time : 112 minutes
Director : Alan Taylor; Writers : Don Payne, Robert Rodat, based on the comic characters created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Larry Lieber ; Music : Brian Tyler
Starring : Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Idris Elba, Rene Russo, Kat Dennings, Christopher Eccleston, Jaimie Alexander, Zachary Levi, Ray Stevenson, Stellan Skarsgard, Jonathan Howard

And that’s how you make a superhero film….

Lots of action, an interesting plot, very pacy, packed with sibling rivalry (with Loki really coming into his own) and laced with generous dollops of brilliant humour, this is a film that works for the young and old alike – with enough layers in the dialogue and the story to keep both segments entertained

There are some evil Dark Elves, led by Malekith (Eccleston), seeking to turn the entire universe into darkness, using a powerful substance known as Aether, when the nine planets are in alignment. They failed once, but now it’s the time of Convergence once more (happens every 5000 years), Natalie Portman finds the Aether and the only thing standing between the Dark Elves and her is Thor…with a little help from and unlikely source.

It’s the sheer charisma of the leads – Hemsworth and Hiddleston in particular – that sets the film alight…the showcasing of the sibling rivalry is really well depicted, the cut and thrust of their jibes and the potential of betrayal spicing things up…Natalie doesn’t have much of a role, but that is more than made up by great cameos by several fine character actors including Rene Russo (Thor’s mother), Kat (asst to Natalie), Jonathan (her intern), Jaimie, Zachary and Ray (Thor’s gang) and even Skarsgard playing the nutty professor well. There is even a conversation to treasure - one where Anthony Hopkins bemoans his legacy as a father - which has added poignancy due to the moment it occurs and what happens after...

The action and special effects are great to watch but what keeps you riveted is the humour…some of it coming in the conversations (and a short walk) between Hemsworth, Hiddlestone. Other priceless moments coming via the whimsical Kat Dennings or while Thor moves around in London (hanging his hammer on a coat hook, catching the Tube) or when his gang warns Loki of the consequences of betrayal…

There are some fantastical co-incidences…the Aether could’ve been anywhere in the nine realms but is found by Natalie Portman, similarly a certain gateway opened up during the convergence turns out to be a very convenient location too. But you’re having so much fun watching some very good looking people battle it out and match wits, that these pale into the background. I know its unfair to compare Krrish3 and Thor 2 – the budgets are a tenth, for example, but surely in terms of plot and character development, we could do better ? The end-credits were beautifully done as well and they’re worth the wait as a little teaser at the end makes you wish even more that the Third of the series released quickly !