MOVIE REVIEW - Thor The Dark World

Here comes the second installment of the recent Thor series.   Isn't it amazing how many times we talk about the "latest installment"  of so may franchises?  Thor, The Dark World.

The original Thor was pretty good.  I thought it was way above the fray as far as superhero movies are concerned.  A good cast, and an original story for the most part ...presented well.   This movie will be a big favorite with fans because they love Thor, and these kind of movies in general.  Many started loving this movie when the trailers hit YouTube a few months ago and nothing can change their minds.   Not even a bad movie.  And this, is a bad movie.  A bad shell of the original.

Once again the fate of the entire universe is at stake, and Thor, his world, and his friends here on Earth are poised to save it.  Can we stop with all the "end of the universe movies?"  There are so many overstated plot lines these days.  I think we can all guess the universe is not going to end.  This is part Harry Potter, part Star Wars, part superhero flick,  part comedy, and part video game.   And that is one of the main problems.  It tries to be so many things.  What this ends up being sadly, is a movie with about the maturity level of a 8 year-old. 

Gone is any adult, or even young adult feel to this.  Gone is the charm of the first, and what is in, is video game stunts, and a bunch of very average battle scenes (eventually) that are mundane and the same old thing.  But this is what tons of the movie ticket buying public wants. They want a bevy of video game like scenes that are loud and long. 

Also what is in, is virtually everything that is computer generated.  I don't know why this simply isn't animated.  I actually think it would be better.   I know it's a comic book and everything, but this feels like they did research, and found out that fans of the first loved the "awesome effects" and "killer battle scenes" and that's what they give you.  Totally abandoning the strengths and soul of the original. 

This is a big cast wasted, especially returning Oscar winner, Natalie Portman who spends most of this movie watching others actually be in the movie.  She should be furious over the writing and editing job on her.  They made her look small, silly and looking like a child playing in the backyard for much of it.  I like Portman and she is very talented, but was shafted here.  And would someone please teach her how to run?  Wow, it looks like it's her first time ever doing it.

Also, a whole lot of this looks like backyard dress-up.  Rene Russo, Anthony Hopkins, Idris Elba, Kat Dennings all reduced to bad costuming and elaborate computer sets, and fake villains. Chris Hemsworth (Thor) is well cast and does give the main character a face and a soul, is fine. But there is not enough story here for anyone to sink their teeth in. And way too much silliness.  This is strictly surface stuff, as where the original was far more intelligent and interesting.

Thor, The Dark World, reeks of a movie that was under contract to be made.  And moreover, just simply reeks.