Thor: The Dark World

Movie Title--  Thor: The Dark World

Release Year--  2013

Running Time--  1 Hour and 52 Minutes

Director--  Alan Taylor

Cast--  Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Eccleston, Jaimie Alexander, Zachary Levi, Roy Stevenson, Tadanobu Asano, Idris Elba, Rene Russo, Kat Dennings, Stellan Skarsgard

When Jane Foster is cursed with a powerful object known as the Aether, it is up to Thor to protect her from an army led by a ruthless leader trying to take the Aether and destroy mankind.

The Dark Elf Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) wants to destroy the universe with a mysterious weapon called the Aether.  Bor, Odin's (Anthony Hopkins) father battle's with Malekith and believing that he has defeated the dark elf, sends the Aether to be hidden away where no one can find it.  Malekith sacrifices his people, boards his ship and goes into a suspended state while in space to wait for a time when he can seek out the Aether.

In the present day, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has been working to pacify the nine realms.  His brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is in Asgard being held in the dungeon for his war crimes on Earth (seen in "The Avengers").  The Bifrost which was destroyed two years prior has now been repaired and through Heimdall (Idris Elba), the Asgardian Sentry of the Bifrost, Thor learns of the Convergence, an alignment of the nine realms is coming and the closer the Convergence gets, portals that link the realms have been appearing at random.

On Earth, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) who has moved from Santa Fe to London is out on her first date since Thor left her on Earth.  Darcy (Kat Dennings), Jane's intern, interrupts the date and tells her of the data that her equipment has been collecting.  Jane and Darcy leave the restaurant and go to the source of the disturbance.  They find children at the sight and the children show them a portal that they are throwing things into to see them come back out of a different portal.  Jane strikes out on her own and is transported to another world where the Aether draws her in and attaches itself to her.

Back in Asgard, Heimdall informs Thor that Jane has slipped out of his vision and Thor immediately returns to Earth.  Jane meets Thor with a range of emotions due to him leaving her with no word of when he may return and his sudden reappearance.  Darcy interrupts the two of them by coming over and informing Jane that they are being arrested for trespassing and when one of the officers put his hand on her, she emits an unearthly force, knocking everyone back.  Thor then takes her through the Bifrost to Asgard.  When Odin sees her, he recognizes the Aether and he tells Jane and Thor the story of how the Dark Elves were defeated but Thor questions this after hearing that the Aether was supposed to have been destroyed as well. 

Malekith has reawakened and sends his most loyal soldier Algrim into Asgard to seek out the Aether.  In Asgard, Thor has kept Jane to try to find a way to extract the Aether from her and he introduces her to his mother Frigga (Renee Russo).  In the dungeon where the prisoners have been taken, Algrim turns himself into a Kursed and escapes from the prison.  Loki gives him advice on which staircase to take as Algrim passes his cell.  Thor goes to the dungeon to contain the situation.  At the Bifrost, Heimdall sees a ship incoming and chases it, bringing it down in the process but turns to see a much large ship with separate flying units come into the airspace.  An attack on Asgard ensues and Malekith gets into the city.  He goes to find Jane and encounters Frigga.  Frigga then sacrifices herself for Jane's safety.  Malekith is forced to feel Asgard without Jane.

Odin takes Jane as a prisoner and when Thor confronts him, tells him that he is going to confront Malekith and take Jane with him so that the Aether can be pulled out of her.  Odin forbids it but Thor decides to go anyway, knowing that if he does it will be considered treason.  He enlists Heimdall, Fandral (Zachary Levi), Volstagg (Ray Stevenson) and the Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander), warning them that they will also be committing treason.  He then goes to Loki, knowing that Loki is the only way that knows an alternate way out of Asgard and promises him vengeance for their mother's death if he agrees to form an alliance with him.

I really enjoyed this film.  Just like with the "Captain America" series, I am not sure which "Thor" film I enjoyed more.  I like the origin story in the first but the story development and character progression in this film was excellent.  

Hemsworth and Hiddleston are truly my favorites in this film.  There is a scene the two of them are in together and they are verbally sparing, just like brothers do and it had me laughing out loud it was so amusing.  These two men are great actors and I think that their roles in this film opposite each other just goes to show how good their skills actually are.  Every scene they are in together seems so natural and relaxed.

I would recommend this film looking for a little action and adventure, especially if you are wanting to keep current in the Marvel universe.  With "Avengers: Age of Ultron" to be released May 2015, I am sure this is a film that should be viewed before hand, so refresh yourself with this year's "People Magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive".", Chris Hemsworth and Don't Forget the Popcorn!