Thor: The Dark World

Rating: 10/10 (9 October 2015)

Thor: The Dark World is a Marvel action fantasy film that director Allen Taylor takes you on an adventure with the god of thunder to save his beloved, Jane Foster, from the evil that consumes her. Following in the expectations of all Marvel movies, Thor: The Dark World is packed with amazing actors and actresses, a setting that helps you feel as though Asgard is a real place, and a well-developed cast. What more could you ask for? For starters let's talk about the fact that all Marvel movies have these actors that fit each part perfectly. It almost seems like they are all planted in a garden and perfected until it is time for their shot in a movie. For instance Chris Hemsworth, who just happens to be 6'4" with a godlike body, becomes Thor in the movie. No matter what other character he plays in any other movie, we will forever be known as Thor, the god of thunder. Another example would be Tom Hiddleston, who also just happens to be 6'4 with a villain like persona, transforms into Loki, the god of mischief. These two men will never escape the identity of Thor and Loki, unless they are some other type of species like Anthony Hopkins. When Anthony Hopkins plays a character, you only see him as that one character, during that one movie. During the movie it didn't click in my head that he was Hannibal Lector, all that I saw was Odin. The cast for this movie was unbelievable, not only were the men amazing but the women were fantastic. (Spoiler alert) Kate Dennings plays Darcy Lewis the intern of Jane Foster, who decides she needs an intern herself. Speaking of their relationship Jane decides it's time to start dating, so obviously something would go wrong that Darcy would need to crash her date, eat some of their breadsticks, and convince her to leave. Not only is Darcy hilarious but her intern is funny as well, so is Eric Selvig.
Anyway, the set design was crazy amazing. Inside the Asgardian Castle was so well constructed that it makes you feel like you're really there. Not only were the set designs great but the graphics were fantastic. They didn't look like the scenes were filmed in front of a green screen, but looks like they're actually doing everything that we see on the screen. To tie everything together, the costume designers who fashioned the clothing and the wigs to look as if it should actually be authentic Asgardian clothing. The detail on Thor's armor really represents his status and his character's personality of not only a warrior, but a leader as well. The designers also put a lot of thought into Loki's breakdown scene; his clothes weren't perfectly pressed, but truly focused on the element of pain that he was experiencing.
Not to throw shade on the first movie, but this movie flowed a lot better than the first. The characters were more established, there was no need to add any exposition explaining who this is and what he does and so on, because the foundation was already laid out from the first movie. The characters themselves have grown as well since the first movie; you really begin to see Loki and Thor as brothers when they escape in the enemy's ship. You also begin to see that Thor truly loves Jane, not an infatuation like Romeo and Juliet, but an actual deep love for her. You no longer just see Loki as the angry, spoiled, handsome villain, but instead you see him as this man who just wants to be loved. He wants the same love that he sees Odin has for Thor. You see him lose the one person he actually loves, his mom. You see the part of him that you feel you can not only trust but love and have sympathy for.
For me, Thor: The Dark World catapulted Marvel movies to the next level. Through every scene you never once wonder "when will this movie end?" It's like a good home cooked meal, you just want more and looking forward to the next one.