Thor 2: The Dark World (2013)

Elevator Pitch

You may remember the scientists from “Thor”. Well they are on the case again, finding that there are disruptions to the laws of physics, and as a result Jane Foster is infected by a weapon from the Dark World, the evil inhabitants of which had been defeated by Odin’s father, but who have been re-animated. Jane is taken captive by Malekith an elf leader, and so is pursued by Thor and rescued. But the worlds remain connected so Thor must overcome the evil forces in Asgard, Svartalfheim and on Earth. He needs the help of Loki, but can the latter be trusted.

Content

A succession of set pieces starting with  some swordfights, and then fights between what seem to be spacecraft of different sizes mostly operated by the evil Malekith. Lesser events as Thor discusses the problems with his father, and variously people fight in the Dark World.  On earth the scientists discover the anomilies and as we move towards the climax more stuff happens in Greenwich, the location of the “Convergence”. There is almost no nudity, no drinking drugs or sex and just one kiss (I think).

A View

There is a view that the whole plot is too ponderous, and what humour there is tends to be subverted by the action sequences, which honestly are wearing by the time we get to the end. I was slightly confused by some of the internal disagreements in Asgard and was surprised to find that we now have spacecraft and firearms, including anti-aircraft guns. Since the gods can apparently be killed I wondered at the continued use of edged weapons. There are one of two fun moments which make it almost worth watching.