A long time ago, in this very same galaxy, I had the grand idea to write a mid-month Marvel movie review each and every month. Well, you know how things like that go. Real Life creeps in, and there simply isn’t enough time to do everything you want to do. Between this blog, our Dark Shadows podcast, and my newest obsession, Whimsieville (which, by the way, did you know? Whimsies are Marvel Comics fans too!), movie reviews have not been on the top of my priorities list. But I couldn’t let this one slip by without a murmur. So here we go!
Last night Russ and I had the privilege to be among the first people in the country to see the newest Marvel movie, Thor: The Dark World. I’m assuming we were among the first, because the official release date is today, November 8th, but our local theater was showing it last night at 8pm. Ignoring that old cliché about looking a gift horse in the mouth, we simply got our tickets, stood in line, sat down and enjoyed the show.
And I do mean enjoyed! I know I sound like a gushing fangirl, but honestly, as hard as I try, I can’t think of anything bad to say about this movie. Sequels sometimes suffer in the shadow of the original, but not so here. Unencumbered by the need to tell a backstory, we begin immediately with an ancient Asgardian legend (okay, that was kind of a “backstory”), but then pick right up with Jane Foster. It’s been two years since Thor left Jane, promising to return, and now, amid a plethora of strange occurrences involving shoes and automobiles, the two are reunited.
We spend the entire movie toggling back and forth between Asgard and Earth, with occasional pitstops at some of the less scenic locations in the Nine Realms. We’ve got a bit of pseudo-science going on here. Don’t try to understand it, just suspend your disbelief and enjoy the ride.
I’m not going to rehash the plot, because it would be difficult to do so without revealing spoilers, and I’m a big-time anti-spoiler girl. But I will tell you this much: a couple of times at least, your jaw will drop. Have fun.
For delightful continuity, all our old favorites are still with us—Jane’s intern Darcy is in fine comedic form, and Eric Selvig puts in more than an appearance (as he spends portions of the movie in various stages of undress). The stoic Odin the All-Father, Frigga (the All-Mother?), and Heimdall all have more to do this time around. And of course what would a Thor movie be without good ol’ Loki?
Oh, Loki! I know he’s the villain and I shouldn’t like him, but he’s so irresistibly mischievous! Some good sibling rivalry stuff goes on between him and Thor, and it’s well played. Yes, Loki is a villain, yet we feel for him, we care about him, we root for him and want things to turn out well for him. (Well, you might not, but I did.)
What’s new in this outing are the real villains, The Dark Elves, who most fervently desire to plunge the universe into darkness. They’re marvelously creepy-looking, espcially their leader, Malekith. I also appreciate that they don’t speak English, so we have to follow subtitles. Their voices are as disturbing as their appearance. Wouldn’t want to meet these guys in a dark alley.
Some of the scenery is absolutely gorgeous, a far cry from the Rainbow Bridge as first depicted in Journey into Mystery #85. The entire film is drenched in EPIC, while at the same time stopping now and then to tell a joke or two. Top it all with a hefty dose of Romance with a capital R, and Thor: The Dark World has something for everyone.
As we all know, one does not simply leave a Marvel movie before the end of the credits, but here’s a word of advice: REALLY, don’t leave before the end of the credits. There are two extra scenes, and you won’t have the full experience until the theater lights come back up.
Oh, and look for Stan the Man. Yep, he’s in here too, with good-humored self-deprecation, enjoying himself as usual.
Word is that in a couple of weeks, the Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD TV show is going to reference something from this theatrical release. I can’t wait to see how that’s all going to tie together. And if you call yourself a fan of the Marvel Universe, even to the slightest degree, no matter how busy you are, put Real Life on hold for a couple of hours and run, don’t walk, to your local theater to see Thor: The Dark World.
