Continuing the second phase of Marvel's cinematic onslaught, begun several months prior with Iron Man 3, Thor's encore solo performance is a markedly stronger, more focused effort than his first. Though Earth still factors into the mix, particularly in the clever, gripping climactic fight scene, there's no mistaking that this is Asgard's story and that clear emphasis, missing from the original, makes a big difference.

As a distinctly fantasy-laden epic, it also benefits from a fresh, authentic flavor that its stable-mates just can't match. There's more to see than smashed skyscrapers and flattened taxi cabs in Thor's world, and that brand of open possibility makes the realm an absolute delight to swallow up.

As visual feasts go, this is at or near the top of the pile - it's gorgeous, innovative and generally unlike anything else in modern cinema, a stuffed bagful of sensory treats. The acting, too, has taken a grand step up since our last trip across the rainbow bridge. Surprisingly, this time Natalie Portman comes across as a clunky third wheel: Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston provide the real intrigue, hammering home Thor's complicated relationship with his conniving adopted brother, Loki.

A fantastically imaginative flick, well-paced and triumphantly acted, that does something its precursor couldn't: whet my appetite for a sequel.

Given that the first Thor film was so good, and one of the best Phase One MCU films alongside the first Ironman movie... I had high expectations for this one. I was disappointed that Kenneth Branagh wasn't going to be directing again, but pleased that he would take on a producer role.

Given Marvels consistency so far, I knew that the movie was going to be full of references about things that had happened in the other MCU movies, but not to such a degree that the movie cannot be watched as a stand alone film on it's own merits. In fact the only thing you might be confused about had you not watched any of the others, is the who/why/what about Loki in the beginning. The rest of the characters get a very brief introduction and the narrative opening scenes sets the stage for the movie.

But Marvel knows full well that people watching their movies have seen the rest, and know the backstories. So keeping things short and sweet for those who don't means that we can get straight into the movie right away.

Tom Hiddleston once again shines as Loki, proving what a great actor he is, and what a great choice they made in casting him. He provides virtually of the comedic moments and you know there will always be some scheme, some twist coming with him involved.

I try to avoid spoilers for these movies, in fact all movies that I really want to see. Sometimes I won't even watch a trailer, I want to go in clean, knowing next to nothing about the movie... sometimes to the extent of not knowing some of the casting choices... So I was actually surprised when I recognised the voice of Malekith as Christopher Eccleston, as I didn't know he was in it... and I've always liked him as an actor. He's kinda quirky at times and doesn't get as many movie roles as he should, very good comedic qualities as an actor, but here he plays it straight as the main protagonist and does a decent job.

The rest of the supporting cast does a decent enough job too. Kat Deely as Darcy offers up most of the remaining comedic moments and even gets her own love interest as a minor subplot, although it's shown and dismissed far to quickly simply to provide another comedic moment in the whole Jane/Selvig/Darcy/Mjolnir scene... in fact I created a gif of that scene and tacked on Donkey from Shrek for even more comedic effect.

Anthony Hopkins was a little disappointing this time round, didn't quite convey the gravitas of the first, but it wasn't a poor performance at all... Just a lesser one. Rene Russo actually got a bit more screen time and the audience got an explanation for Loki's powers and training... even got a fight scene, but I feel that was only to provide the emotional side and reaction that sets up the middle act.

The pacing was good, and the extra scenes included on bluray release that weren't in the theatrical one don't bog down the pacing, but at the same time don't add anything extra really... which is a shame.

Hemsworth as Thor did a good job too, and Portman as Jane Foster were both adequate... but simply outshone by Hiddleston who is the real star of this film in my opinion.

It was a shame that the rest of the supporting cast didn't get better material, I'd like to see more of Fandrall, Volstagg, Lady Siff and Hogun... I could even overlook the change of actor for Fandrall (due to Josh Dallas' commitment to the TV show Once upon a time' to Zachary Levi (best know for the TV show Chuck I guess).

The special effects were good, some of the plot points were a little too convenient (like finding your car keys on another planet which conveniently gives you a way of escape and a mode of transport once you get there).

But the overall result is a good one... Not as strong as the first film, but a very good sequel all the same. I think Marvel learned from the poor second Iron Man movie because they haven't really put a foot wrong here, nor did they with Cpt America 2 and Iron Man 3.

For those familiar with the after credits sneak peak... this one supplies two of them. One that's setting up characters for Guardians of the Galaxy (not seen it yet, gotta wait for the bluray release as my summer was rather busy and I don't have a cinema within 20 miles of my home)... the second end of credits is just a silly little jokey one.

Overall I'd give it a solid 8/10, highly recommended and well worth watching more than once as there are loads of little touches to pick up on in later viewings.

**THE WACPINE OF ‘THOR: THE DARK WORLD’**

WRITING: 5
ATMOSPHERE: 6
CHARACTERS: 6
PRODUCTION: 6
INTRIGUE: 5
NOVELTY: 3
ENJOYMENT: 6

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**The Good:**



As a friend of fantasy and science fiction, I admire the way The Dark World delves deeper into Marvel mythology and almost feels like a Tolkien film in places. It also helps to make the MCU feel cosmic in scope. These things aren’t explored gain until the Guardian of the Galaxy and Captain Marvel movies.



Christopher Eccleston is good in a role that doesn't fully allow him to utilize his acting skills. He barely has any lines and does very little other than stand and look menacing.



The most delicious parts of the film are those that force Thor to work with Loki, who once again steals the show. Their on-screen chemistry is admirable and works even better here than in Thor.



The chemistry between Hemsworth and Hiddleston is the best thing this film has to offer. They are very recognizably brothers whose cooperation isn't completely flawless. They still work well together when need be.



This is one of the bleaker and less colourful from within the MCU, but Disney pulls it off far better than Warner Bros. does with the DCEU.



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**The Bad:**


While more screen time for the funny Darcy is always a plus, having both her and Ian as comedic characters make many scenes with them goofy in ways only bad comedies usually are. It feels out of place within MCU, which usually features sharp comedy. This is the first attempt at a comedy in the franchise, but it just doesn't work very well.



This is also the first time the MCU tries to be somewhat darker and gloomier, but it doesn't go in all the way embracing the darkness.

A big bulk of the action is set outside of the Earth, which make the stakes feel less personal for the audience. This is one of the least memorable entries within the MCU, perhaps for that reason.



Malekith is such a film villain cliché that nothing that he does or says feels interesting or menacing in the slightest.



The way The Dark World has been structured makes the story feel like it opens with a first act, followed by a third act, a second act and another third act. That doesn't work to its favour.



The script seems so busy developing plot strands from Thor and The Avengers that it almost seems to forget the main plot with Malekith and the Ether, making them secondary for large parts of the film before the final 30 minutes.



Jonathan Howard is awkward and stiff in most of his scenes and he isn't given anything interesting to do or say throughout the entire film.



The overall plot never goes as deep as it could and seems to lose its way halfway through, ultimately feeling like a rehash of Thor and just another predictable superhero flick by the end.



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**The Ugly:**

Yet another grey take on London.

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**WACPINE RATING: 5.28 / 10 = 2,5 stars**

Although acting was solid and the production value was still through the roof, I wasn't able to enjoy the movie. Probably because everything else sucked.

If you're wondering why Thor: The Dark World is a title you're not familiar with, it's because you should just stay away from it.