Thor: From Marvel to Mundane

Rating: 5/10 (7 February 2014)

Marvel, best known for revolutionizing the comic industry in the 1960-70s, has recently taken their infamous monthly deadline work-ethic and adapted it to the motion pictures industry. And, while this tactic may be a guarantee for a monthly onslaught of paper-backed mayhem, the same cannot necessarily be said in regards to consistency of quality.
The most recent example: Thor: The Dark World.
Why the sophomore attempt at the Thor franchise may have slightly outperformed its predecessor in regards to direction, story concept and art design; it, ultimately, still found itself over-welding its weighty Hollywood Hammer, resulting in an utter demolition of continuity, writing and optic nerves.
Once you get beyond the pseudo-(meta)-psychics and babbling tech-talk, the background story is left suffering from a big floppy case of motivational dysfunction; as you find the characters haphazardly wandering though scene after scene, perhaps searching for a certified script doctor.
And, while the story lent itself to several subtle moments of potential acting gems, most notably from Tom Hiddleston, they were soon obliterated under the mystically omnipotent sledgehammer of Hollywood Blockbuster.
Sure, we could chalk up Thor: The Dark World as just another comic book inspired popcorn-fest if Christopher Nolan hadn't already proved that you can masterfully take the absurd and polish it into a piece of cinematic art.
So, while this most recent high-def installment to the Marvel universe may satisfy your immediate super-hero craving, expect its fatty leftovers to spend their golden age in the back issues. 5.5/10