Thor: The Dark World
Directed by: Alan Taylor Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston Rating: Not Yet Rated Release Date: November 8, 2013
Trailer Score: 8/10
Thoughts by TSR: It's not a popular opinion, but Thor was my favorite individual film during Marvel Phase One (Captain America: The First Avenger gives it a run for its money, though). The casting of Chris Hemsworth was perfect, Asgard was a wonderfully designed world, Tom Hiddleston’s Loki was my favorite antagonist of the bunch, and I was one of the few who really liked the Thor/Jane Foster relationship. All three character sequels – Iron Man 3, this, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier – have me very excited for Marvel Phase Two. The trailers for Iron Man 3 have that one at the top of the heap right now, but this trailer for Thor: The Dark World is a great first impression.
One of my favorite aspects of the first film was how Hemsworth played the fish out of water angle. The comedy really worked for me, so I like that this film will turn that on its head and make Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster the fish. I’m not sure if Foster in Asgard will allow for any comedy on the level of Thor walking into a pet store and asking for a horse, but I’m glad we’ll get to see how she reacts to a very foreign land. The rest of the trailer sells some solid action from Thor and the Warriors Three – Hemsworth wielding Mjolnir never fails to look great – and gives one creepy look at Christopher Eccleston’s Malekith the Accursed. The tag is great as well, showing Thor forming an uneasy alliance with Hannibal Loki. I love everything about Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, and his “When do we start?” is a perfect way to go out.
My first impression is that Alan Taylor (who directed six episodes of HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” including the best hour the show has done, “Baelor”) has done a great job. The scope looks impressive, and now there’s just one more concrete reason to be excited about Marvel Phase Two.