Hiddleston steals the entire show

Rating: 7/10 (8 November 2013)

In the original run of Marvel movies i think the one that i expected the least from was the first THOR. I was surprised when that one actually came out as the BEST of the Marvel flicks leading up to AVENGERS.
Heading into "THOR: THE DARK WORLD" my expectations were significantly higher (though after Iron Man 3, maybe I should have tapered them), and thus i came out of this one slightly disappointed.
Hemsworth's Thor really doesn't have much character development in this one. He was much more enjoyable as the spoiled-boy prince who earns the right to wield Mjolnir. Here he's kinda wooden as the wounded-puppy longing for Jane Foster.
And when you see what Foster has been up to you really wonder what the guy could ever see in her. Honestly, the human characters in Thor 2 are the weakest link. Too much bad writing and too many cheap jokes that fall flat. Kat Dennings brings her "2 Broke Girls" shtick to the movie and it bombs badly. Portman's Foster is a pretty unlikable witch of a character. And what have they done to Stellan Skarsgard?
Chris O'Dowd appears to be written as a poor sap of a nice guy who is being passed over for He-of-the-golden-locks, but he actually comes out as someone you root for and want to tell "Hey, buddy, it's okay. You're better then her anyways!"
That's the real problem with the movie, the only person you really root for is Loki!!
And how easy that is, as Hiddleston just chews this movie up and eats it for breakfast. Anytime he is on screen, the enjoyment factor goes up.
The bad guys have a real cool look to them, but they aren't really developed to any point where they felt like a threat. And while interesting in concept, the final fight is head-scratchingly yawn inducing.
It was nice to see Rene Russo actually have something to do here, and Hopkins was once again solid as Odin.
And thank goodness for that saw-it-coming-but-still-lovely-to-see twist ending.
I liked it. It was okay. But it wasn't as good as the first Thor.
High hopes for CAPTAIN America:WINTER SOLDIER.