Escape to the Movies: Thor: The Dark World

[revjor]

Anyone who hasn't seen both is going to be completely lost.

While the whole big movie continuinty thing is fairly cool, I think this is going to become a big problem. By far the biggest issue comics have is that they're almost completely incomprehensible to anyone who hasn't been following them for a long time. So many different characters, worlds, plot arcs, and so on constantly being introduced, killed off, retconned, rewritten entirely, and so on, makes it incredibly difficult for new readers to actually find a place to jump in and start reading.

And now we're starting to see exactly the same thing happen with the movies. It's not too bad so far, since there aren't too many films and most people interseted in the new one will have at least had the chance to see the previous ones. But what happens in 10 years time when there are twice as many films, all even more reliant on what has happened in earlier ones? What happens if DC ever get their shit together and suddenly there are two series of films that you can't miss seeing any of, but still need to keep separate? What happens when people who aren't even old enough to be watching them now want to get involved, but don't want to work through a decade's back catalogue of dated action films?

Having movies set in the same universe, with crossovers and cameos and so on, is one thing. But if the audience needs to follow a whole series of films just so they're able to understand what's happening in what is ostensibly a stand-alone solo film is likely to become a problem.

The difference is that comic books can't rely on ABC to run a marathon leading up to A2 and A3. Once Avengers 2 rolls around you can bet your butt Disney is gonna make it happen. Now with Netflix getting 4 shows and a miniseries you'll probably see some sort of presentation of all the MCU content at the appropriate time. Marathoning Netflix is something everyday people love to do nowadays.

 

[pearcinator]

I really liked the final action scene...sure it seemed a bit familiar to another movie (Jumper) but the one at the end of Thor was more fun thanks to the much much bigger budget which allowed more crazy stuff to happen!

To me, action scenes today need to do something different. We've all seen a car blow up and it's just not impressive anymore. The one at the end of this was great because it felt 'new' (or underused) which is more than what I can say for most other action movies which try to copy other action scenes from movies. We've seen it! Do something unique!

 

[tzimize]

It was okay, better than Iron Man 3 but then everything is better than Iron Man 3.

BUT WHAT IS WITH THE TERRIBLE VILLAINS!

Seriously both this and IM3 have the most boring and dull bad guys ever. I really hope they can improve there villains in future MCU films because 2013 has been a total flop in delivering interesting and threatening villains (outside of the trailers anyway).

I understand where you're coming from, and I somewhat agree. Malekith is pathetic when compared to say: Joker or Scarecrow, and I thought the same as you. But after chewing on it a little bit I realized I dont care. The movie is not about the dark elves anyway, they are just a conflict background for Thor to build his relationship with Loki. And boy do they play EXCELLENT of each other

In the end its not the end of the world that matters, its what happens between two brothers. And I am fine with that

I really liked the final action scene...sure it seemed a bit familiar to another movie (Jumper) but the one at the end of Thor was more fun thanks to the much much bigger budget which allowed more crazy stuff to happen!

To me, action scenes today need to do something different. We've all seen a car blow up and it's just not impressive anymore. The one at the end of this was great because it felt 'new' (or underused) which is more than what I can say for most other action movies which try to copy other action scenes from movies. We've seen it! Do something unique!

Completely agree, and its why I'm inclined to feel that the Thor TDW end scene was just as spectacular as the Avengers one. Well, almost. And thats saying something

Also, I didnt see Jumper. I wanted to...but....Hayden Christensen....brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I really cant see anything that guy is in since he made me hate him through star wars.

 

[BehattedWanderer]

Not sure what scene Bob was talking about with the whole "you'll know it when you see it" thing, because I felt everything was addressed as far as these things can be addressed. At least this was an actual Marvel movie, unlike Iron Man 3's "LOL Fooled you we're totally not doing the Mandarin" bullshit. Everyone in this acted their part, and there was comedy and tragedy working together to make the movie work.

I did love the casual reminder that the Thanos clock is ticking, as well. "One down, five to go." It's got me excited for Avengers 3 before Avengers 2 has even hit the ground. I can't even think of another property that has managed something even close to that.

 

[Evil Smurf]

I thought it was okay, gravity was what I should have spent my money on and X Men: First Class is the best super hero film so far.

 

[Psychobabble]

LOKI! LOKI! LOKI! LOKI!

He owned so many scenes in this movie, which just made it even better for me. (Even though its stupid and wont happen, I want Loki to have his own movie. Even if its just him insulting people for an hour).

I swear to fucking god if there is a solo Loki movie before a female hero lead I will rage against everything in the known universe.

Yeah but who would they use? Most strong female Marvel characters are all either an integral part of a super team or are just female carbon copies of male heroes. IE She Hulk, Spider woman, Ms Marvel ...etc.

Black Widow might work well as a stand alone movie hero but since she doesn't have actual super powers it would be more like the Captain America films. Which wouldn't bother me, but might not appeal to the studio.

 

[TheUnbeholden]

Well hopefully they release a uncut version, 10-15 minutes longer. Glad thats its entertaining and actually delivers on story/characters.

 

[castlewise]

Did anyone else here watch the "invasion" scene in act 2 and immediately think of Star Wars? Because as I watched what were essentially evil B-Wings cruising through a gorge while being fired at by laser canons, I sort of got that impression. Anyone?

I think it was the sound the flying canoes made. Its very similar to a lot of the engine sounds in the first the star wars movies.

As for the film itself. The third act was fun and silly, but also kind of all over the place and it didn't hold together was well. I really liked it overall though

P.S. Bob should definitely do a big picture on the ending scene and the implications.

 

[Salad Is Murder]

I would like to say that I really enjoyed this movie, because I did. But I can't fully endorse it for one reason.

WHERE. IS. MY. BETA. RAY. BILL.

Damn, I was just thinking this. I really would like to see that character on the big screen, but I'm not sure where you would throw him in plot-wise. Anyway, still looking forward to watching Dark World.

I don't see how it would really be an issue. He could just show up and be like "I ART BETA RAY BILL." And everyone's all "Hey Bill, can you dial it down a bit; this whole all-caps thing is so last eon." and he's like: "ODIN GAVE ME MINE OWN HAMMER AFTER I BESTED THINE THOR, AH DO WAT AH WANT."

It would be the best movie ever.

 

[Saltyk]

This is out? I may need to go see it with some friends, then. The Marvel movies have all been reliably entertaining.

... flying laser armed canoes... probably the most amazing mental image inducing set of words ever spoken.
I am going to have to go see that film now, if only for that.

Sounds like something off a Metal album cover doesn't it?

 

[Jamous]

I actually really liked how they didn't touch too much on the 'rivalry for Thor's affections' between Jane and Sif. It seemed to make both characters more mature and it also avoided any 'cat fight' style tropes. Especially considering how one sided a fight between them would've been with one being human and the other Asgardian. I really enjoyed the whole thing. But now I have the shakes and need more.

LOKI! LOKI! LOKI! LOKI!

He owned so many scenes in this movie, which just made it even better for me. (Even though its stupid and wont happen, I want Loki to have his own movie. Even if its just him insulting people for an hour).

I swear to fucking god if there is a solo Loki movie before a female hero lead I will rage against everything in the known universe.

And yet it for some reason is probably more likely. Depressing state of affairs, considering we've already seen they -can- do really good female characters.

 

[bigfatcarp93]

I would like to say that I really enjoyed this movie, because I did. But I can't fully endorse it for one reason.

WHERE. IS. MY. BETA. RAY. BILL.

Likely Thor 3, since he ties in with Surtur, who is the logical Thor 3 villain, being one of Thor's biggest and baddest bad guys.

 

[walrusaurus]

I know Bob will never come down from the fanboy high of the avengers, but personally, i think that this movie was better than the avengers. Don't get me wrong i loved the avengers; but at the end of the day it was just an event film. A lot of spectacle, with fun character beats but not much by way of actual character development.

This movie on the other hand is easily my favorite out of all the Marvel movies, and i could not agree more that given another 15-20 minutes to breathe it would have been Great (caps intended). Theres just so much depth left tantalizingly unexplored, i can't wait for Thor 3.

 

[bobdole1979]

I think Marvel in general has a lack of decent villains. The villains have the been the weak link in almost all their movies. It hasn't been a dealbreaker, because most Marvel heroes are about overcoming their personal issues and flaws than fighting bad guys, but it can keep those films an inch away from greatness. And they're certainly not helped by the rights to their most interesting villains being in the hands of other studios. After Magneto, Doctor Doom, and the better members of Spider-Man's rogue's gallery, who's actually decent for Marvel? The only interesting one has been Loki, and how much of that is because of Tom Hiddleston?

So I read this and thought "No! Marvel has great villains." And then I did a web search for top villains. And then I did a web search for top Avengers villains. And then for Spiderman villains. So, yeah. You are right. All of the big hitters have been done. The exceptions are Ultron and Thanos. Galactus was a bit of a copout in Fantastic 4 numero dos. And Doctor Doom was a poor depiction in Fantastic 4.

So my votes to get some decent villains would be to:
[ol]Reboot Doctor Doom as the badass that he should be. (Can't-at another studio)
Use The Leader and hook him up with a ridiculously complicated plan and a ton of muscle: Rhino, Wrecking Crew, Shocker, Scorpion, Titania etc. We were already teased with The Leader in the latest Hulk. (Rogues may be at another studio with Spider Man)
Apocalypse
Moecule Man (not really a planner so much as a "I can screw with everything" type)[/ol]

They can't use Doctor Doom, Galctus, or Apocolypse as the movie rights for both of them are owned by Fox


The Rhino, Shocker, scorpion, and Wrecking crew are owned by Sony but they could do the Leader.

 

[TheMadDoctorsCat]

I loved the movie. I thought it was a good ol' time with some pretty awesome action sequences and genuinely funny moments. Did feel a bit rushed at times, but I can forgive that though.

I agree. I can't agree that this wasn't as good as "Avengers"... I thought "Thor 2" was the best Marvel movie yet, by far. The "Iron Man"s are pretty good, but I can't remember any of the characters apart from Iron Man and Pepper Potts from any of them. I hated "Captain America" (seriously, both it and "The Avengers" tried SO HARD to convince me that this was a honorable soldier, and failed so badly at it) and the Ang Lee Hulk movie.

Honestly, with "Thor" being the best out of "The Avengers", "Hulk", "Captain America" and the "Iron Man" movies, and now "Thor 2" coming along and removing the only bit that spoilt it (the annoying SHIELD guys), it feels as though the "Thor" franchise is the one thing Marvel has going for it that's actually really, really good. I want to see more of these.

 

[rayen020]

I saw this movie last night and mostly i agree with that last line. It's good and it's gets the job done. I really liked the first Thor and had high hopes for this one. I'm gonna be bluntly honest, this ranks really low on my marvel movies list. like i think last. Its good, don't get me wrong, but like pixar, i'm spoiled by such a long run of good movies.

This one has really weird pacing and is aware of that so they choose to address it by focusing on fan favorite villain Loki. Which i really don't think is needed.

Right now My ranking of Marvel Studios Films is this

Captain America; The First Avenger
The Avengers
Thor
Iron Man 2
Iron Man 3
Iron Man
Thor 2; The Dark World

The Hulk -> still need to see this.

 

[TwiZtah]

I saw this monday and while I still think Natalie Portman is mis-cast as Jane Foster (in a humour filled film, she tries but fails) overall its a lot of fun and a good reminder of why the Marvel films have been so successful. Bob is spot on when he says they're embracing the light, funny & downright crazy side of the comics instead of playing it down (like Man of Steel) and considering how a lot of focus recently in TV and film has been towards the grim and gritty its nice for a series to be bucking that trend.

Also, it wasn't just the 3D print that was like that. 2 out of the 3 main settings had the grey filter on high (though in fairness the London scenes deserved it) and the Asgard scenes seemed a lot duller then in the 1st film.

Natalie Portman was cast as Jane Foster because she can make anyone look like a giant, or so she said herself. She's really really small, and in many shots, she's on a ramp of some sort to make her a bit taller.

 

[walruss]

Before I watch, let me guess. Bob loved it.