Thor: The Dark World (2013)

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Director: Alan Taylor

Writers: Christopher L. Yost and Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely, story by Don Payne and Robert Rodat, based on the Marvel comics by Stan Lee and Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby

Stars: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Huddleston, Natalie Portman, Christopher Eccleston, Anthony Hopkins, Jaimie Alexander, Zachary Levi



Malekith the Dark Elf (Christopher Eccleston) returns from suspended animation when Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) inadvertently absorbs a powerful substance (actually, an Infinity Stone) called the Aether.

 


In the chaos following an attack on Asgard, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) enlists the aid of Loki (Tom Huddleston) to keep Malekith away from the Aether and protect the Nine Realms.

 


This has a reputation for being one of the lesser MCU efforts, but there is still much to enjoy, especially for a shameless Marvel apologist like me. 



The Thor/Jane romance still doesn’t work, but Hemsworth and Huddleston have enough charisma and chemistry for two movies.

 


Even a disinterested Anthony Hopkins classes up the production and brings appropriate gravitas to the role of Odin.

 


Plenty of humor and action smooth over the rough spots. 



It’s fun if you love these characters; if not, look elsewhere.





































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