Better than Thor 1...

Rating: 5/10 (4 April 2014)

...which doesn't say much. For all it's impressive visuals (and it had a few), it's still the characters and story I'm hoping to appreciate. A stunning environment means nothing if the characters are as likable as yesterday's garbage. So... I'll go into the characters since the story is too easy to go through.
Malekith - sorely underused, in lots of ways. I hoped for a menacing Dark Elf that would intimidate our dear Asgardians, and really push them towards the wall. Instead, he came off as a semi-tired Dark Lord who really, really wanted his shiny toy that would enable him to wipe out everything into darkness unless of course, someone just happens to be able to stop him. Kurse was far more intimidating than him.
Thor - If he is supposed to play the "royal" prince of Asgard, and no emotions whatsoever otherwise (unless Loki makes him angry), then he did a good job. He's a protector, nothing more, nothing less, again, unless Loki riles him up - shame he went down to Earth.
Jane & her mortal sidekicks - Good God. Even Selvig wasn't worth watching in this movie. All of them really was just there, stealing screen time. Romantic interest Jane is insufferable, she still haven't developed a character beyond pining for Thor - is this the reason miss Portman is bored with her role (not very challenging) or does she just doesn't care?. Just get rid of them, already. I swear, if that blasted "romance" survives in Thor 3, then I'm done.
Odin - Oh, he was in the movie? Yes, now I remember him.. he waved a spear and killed a Dark Elf, told Loki off and argued with Thor.
Loki - Someone who actually seemed to enjoy his role. Can't say I blame him, when you gets to be the guy that likes to push the buttons of everyone else. It doesn't bode well when the semi-villain is the most (if not only) interesting character in the movie, but since he was around, I could watch from start to finish. He had the mockery, the anger, and the illusions to make it interesting. And well, besides the fact that he actually bothered to breathe a little "life" into his character.
What else is there to say... Frigga and Sif, as little as we got from them, was good enough. Credit to Frigga for being a kick-ass character and to Sif for sticking to business. The Warriors three was underused, the Dark Elves (sans Kurse) were boring, and I could care less about everyone from the Earth who filled no purpose but to to offer a timely solution to all the problems or talk about Jane's romance with Thor. Loved the Captain America cameo.
But still, better than Thor 1. Thanks Loki.