Accomplishes what it sets out to, which is mostly popcorn-action, plus a few pleasant surprises.

Rating: 8/10 (9 November 2013)

Thor: The Dark World is a movie that doesn't shy away from its genre or source material. For the most part, it is a simple and relatively formulaic plot, couched in well-shot and entertaining action sequences. The context of the fantasy universe works well, again the result of "leaning in" to this quasi-supernatural setting.
The other things this movie accomplishes is in developing the characters further, without falling victim to the stagnation that it risked in being a third installment with these characters. We see Thor mature, and place personal sacrifice ahead of the lives of countless people. We see Loki put aside differences for a common goal (however capricious he may be at heart). We also see the differences between Thor and Odin that explains why Thor is a guardian, and not a king.
If all you're looking for is a fun, function film that follows and builds on established characters, you've found a good one. If you're looking for something deeply cerebral, or something that goes into the deeper implications of this multi-dimensional existence, look elsewhere.
Overall, 8/10 because it accomplished what it set out to, 1 point off because the dark elf masks remind me of the "putties" from the Power Rangers, and 1 point off because ambition was set a touch low in being an archetype of a plot arc.