HUB Movie Review: Thor: The Dark World

Story posted February 28, 2014 in CommRadio by Sofia Westin

Watch out for that iron hammer, because it’s ricocheting back. This time the target, for once, is not Loki.

Thor: The Dark World occurs about two years after the first Thor, which makes this movie take place about a year after the Avengers, at least that’s how I calculate it.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and his beloved Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) are both desperately pining for each other from their respective realms. As such, when Jane searches for him on Earth, she accidentally ends up with a dark power within her. Thor, who finds the damsel in her distress, brings her to Asgard to rid of her this evil.

Suddenly, Asgard is attacked by the Dark Elves. The Dark Elves are an ancient race who seek revenge on the Asgardians. They come from Svartalfheim (literally meaning “black-elf-home). They want the force within Jane. The Dark Elves naturally plan to destroy all the worlds at this particular moment with the force. What is meant by this particular moment, is that all the nine realms will be aligned and suddenly you’ve “got these blurred lines” between them. And yes, Thor can “let it get past him.” (Robin Thicke should teach Thor a thing or two.)

To defeat the elves (who look much like Legolas but less friendly and wise), Thor conveniently has to recruit his criminal half-bro Loki for help.

The battle takes place on Earth and on Asgard, and many other places, including the Dark World. This Dark World, however, provides more than ample lighting to show what is going on.

The movie received mixed reviews. General audiences on IMDb gave it 7.4, Metacritic gave it 54, and RottenTomatoes’ critics certified it fresh with 65 (top critics only gave it 41). It has grossed in over $205 million.

On the Penn State Scale...
1—when Penn State loses a game,
2—an 8 a.m class (which are awful),
3—a canceled 8 a.m class,
4— free textbooks,
and 5—free Creamery ice cream for a whole year,

Sadly, this movie may only get a 1.5. The score is mostly based on the plot: It is predictable, and it is driven by conveniences that result in the major events. The beginning was incredibly slow and confusing, which makes it difficult to get into. In addition, the events are disconnected to

each other; they feel like fillers. The jokes are silly and dull; you may smirk but laugh out loud you will not. That may because Thor is not a funny dude; Loki’s one liners are just dry humor.

Compared to that of Iron Man (that other Marvel superhero), it is difficult to connect to Thor— he comes after all from a godly kingdom in space. We puny humans are scorned (except by Thor, but that’s because he’s up all night to get lucky) even though it’s the humans who continually save everyone.

Lastly, there is more action than actual dialogue. For some that is a good thing. But the cleverness we heard in the Avengers, the science that blew your mind, the shockers which are revealed through speech...do not exist; they went into a black hole. Speech adds so much to the story, and with lack thereof, when the characters do speak, it sounds unnatural.

However, luckily, there is one sequence (with no speech) that will shock you (but it’s all just a ruse anyways).

And as always with Marvel movies, stay ALL THE WAY after the credits.

P.S. If Heimdall, the guardian to Asgard, can see everyone on Earth, wouldn’t he be able to see that Agent Phil Coulson (who was killed by Loki in The Avengers) is still living, breathing and fighting with S.H.I.E.L.D (in ABC’s TV series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.)? Food for thought.

Sofia Westin is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her, email sgw5090@psu.edu.