Marvel May - Thor: The Dark World (2013)

        Hey guys, Chuck here, and welcome back to Marvel May. All month long, we'll be looking into the films that compromise Phase Two and Phase Three of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as the most recent two Disney+ streaming series: WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which are part of Phase Four. Since we've already talked about Iron Man 3 during 12 Reviews of Christmas back in December, let's start off Marvel May with Thor: The Dark World. 

        The movie starts off with a battle between the warriors of Asgard and the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim, the leader of whom is Malekith the Accursed. Malekith seeks to use a red fluid like substance called the Aether to plunge the universe back into one of eternal darkness. Malekith is defeated by King Bor of Asgard, and the Aether is sealed away. Cut to some time after the events of The Avengers, and Loki is taken before Odin, and is locked away for his transgressions. Meanwhile, Thor works with Lady Sif and the Warriors Three to restore peace to the nine realms. 

      Back on Earth, Jane Foster and Darcy Lewis are now working on a research project in London, where they come across a cosmic anomaly that leads Jane to a rock that holds the Aether, which attaches itself to Jane. Thor then arrives on Earth, and takes Jane to Asgard to get her help. Odin soon recognizes the power of the Aether, and breaks down more of the history of the Aether, and Asgard's war against the Dark Elves. 

          Soon, however, the Dark Elves attack, searching for the Aether, and are pushed back by Asgard's forces. Unfortunately, however, Thor's mother Frigga, with whom Jane had started to become close friends with, dies in the attack. Thor, along with Sif, Heimdall, Fandral, and Volstagg, break Loki out of his cell in order to sneak Jane out of Asgard and to the dark world of Svartalfheim. Shortly after arriving, Thor, Jane, and Loki come face to face with Malekith and the Dark Elves, who take the Aether back, and Loki dies, or so Thor is led to believe. Thor and Jane them find a Convergence point and return to Earth.

         Thor, Jane, Darcy, and Dr. Selvig, whose been struggling ever since the events of The Avengers, work together to contain the Convergence, recover the Aether, and defeat the Dark Elves for good. Multiple portal jumps, and major battles between Thor and Malekith later, and the day is saved. Thor returns to Asgard, declines the throne, and it's revealed that Odin is gone, and Loki has taken his place. A mid-credits scene shows Sif and Volstagg take the Aether to Taneleer Tivan aka The Collector, who adds it to his collection, as the Asgardians already had the Tesseract, and believe it's best not to keep two "Infinity Stones" so close together. We'll get more into the stones when we discuss films like Guardians of the Galaxy. A post-credits scene sees Thor and Jane reunite. 

          Thor: The Dark World is considered among the weakest entries into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and I definitely agree. I think that the fantasy aspect is too heavily focused on, and relies too heavily on suspension of disbelief. The cast, including returning actors Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, Jaimie Alexander, Renee Russo, Kat Dennings, and Anthony Hopkins are fine, while newcomers like Christopher Eccleston are fine in their roles as well. 

       The action is fine, and director Alan Taylor, whose work prior to this movie included numerous episodes of Game of Thrones, was okay at best. Overall, not a perfect Marvel movie, but entertaining nonetheless, I give Thor: The Dark World a rating of 2.5/5. This is Chuck signing off, and Marvel May is just getting started. Tune in later on today for my review of Captain America: The Winter Soldier.