Not as Good as the First, but still Entertaining.

Rating: 7/10 (11 November 2017)

Thor The Dark World is a very action-packed, visually pleasing, and entertaining time at the movies. I ultimately really enjoyed the movie. However, the film does have some notable issues. In some ways Thor 2 is superior to the first film, but in most it is inferior.
The film takes place sometime after the Avengers. Loki (Tom Hiddleston) has been locked up in the prison in Asghard for what he did in New York. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and everyone else are fighting to restore peace to the nine realms. Meanwhile the villain named Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) and his race called the Dark Elves have returned from their slumber. Their goal is to obtain a substance called Ether to destroy the nine realms and return everything to darkness. Meanwhile, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and her friends come across a dimensional anomaly. This is happening because all nine realms are lining up which happens every-so-often. Because of this she is transported to Asghard and back and is infected with Ether. Thor must now save Jane and all nine realms from the Dark Elves with the help of Loki.
The film has many great qualities. The effects are amazing. The effects in the first film were already great, but this film ups the ante. The effects are twice or even three times better than the first film, as is the world building. This film showcases more of the nine realms, and also fleshes out Asghard better than the last film did. The film spends more time in Asghard and in the Dark Elves' home world than on Earth which I was okay with. I did not dislike the time spent on Earth like many people did, but I just found the scenes on Asghard and the Ice Realm to be more interesting and fun. Lastly the action scenes are greatly entertaining, especially the Loki prison break scene. The action is another thing that is upped in this film. I also love the design of the Dark Elves. I also like the technology employed by both the Dark Elves and Asghard. This film does a better job at showcasing the technology and mythology of these different realms.
However, where this film excelled in action and effects, it unfortunately drops the ball when it comes to character. There is really no character development in this show. Thor is now a wise leader that puts other first. Other than having to defeat the bad guy there is no conflict he has to deal with, and he does not change or grow. Granted, I would rather have a character remain static than regress and forget the lessons they learn from the previous film like in the Iron Man sequels. However, I would like some form of development for the characters, especially the main ones, but we really do not get that. Thor, as well as the other main characters are still likable and they never irritated me, but I felt that their characters never went anywhere.
Odin and Thor's friends in Asghard are given even less to do than in the first film which is saying something. Those characters did not get much to do in the first film, but I can kind of understand because the film is about Thor learning his lesson and about Loki's jealousy. However, here they are given less to do which is a big missed opportunity. I heard a lot was cut from this film, which might include more of Odin, Thor's friends, and the villain, which the film needed. I hope we get to see that footage when the film comes to DVD.
The villain is extremely boring and lazy as well. He is probably the weakest kink in this film. He is a generic villain that wants to destroy the world and the hero must stop him. He has no dimension or charm like Loki does. Compared to Loki in the first film and the Avengers this villain is weak. Even in this film Loki is better, because you constantly question whether you can trust him.
Also, they threw in this very forced humor that does not work. This mainly occurs when we are on Earth. When we are on Asghard and the other realms the humor they had felt natural and was funny. Occasionally you get a funny joke, but whenever we are on Earth we are treated to unfunny humor. We had quite a bit of humor on Earth in the first Thor but, in my opinion, it was not as forced and was actually funny. I feel that this becoming a thing with these Marvel movies, where they feel the need to through in forced and unnecessary humor. The Iron Man sequels definitely have this problem.
Overall, Thor The Dark World is a very entertaining film. There is not much dimension past the action and scope, but the characters are still likable and fun and the action and effects are breathtaking. It is not quite as good as the first film, but is a good movie nonetheless. I think it is definitely worth a viewing in the theater.