Thor: The Dark World Movie Review

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

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Written by: Christopher L. Yost and Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely (screenplay by), Don Payne and Robert Rodat (story by), Stan Lee and Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby (based on the Marvel comics by), Walter Simonson (character created by: Malekith)
Directed by: Alan Taylor
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Eccleston, Jaimie Alexander, Zachary Levi, Ray Stevenson, Idris Elba, Rene Russo, Kat Dennings, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated: PG-13
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Plot
When the Dark Elves attempt to plunge the universe into darkness, Thor must embark on a perilous and personal journey that will reunite him with doctor Jane Foster.

Verdict
This is a solid sequel. It doesn't fall into the trap of doing the first movie but bigger, this is a continuation of the story. That's part of the reason Marvel's sequels are successful, they don't try to recreate the previous movie. Loki has a larger role which adds to the drama and intrigue since we never know what side he's on. Thor, having ascended to hero status in the first movie, is just out saving the world.
It depends.

Review
Marvel does such a great job of imparting a big scale to its movies. The final battle is huge, though it's best if you don't think about the collateral damage.
To open, this reaches into the past for an ancient battle to set the stage for the current conflict. The dark elf Malekith wants to use a weapon known as Aether to destroy everything. He fails but comes back in the present.

Thor has yet to visit his love interest, Jane, from the first movie. Seemingly for the comedy when they do meet as Jane slaps Thor for not returning for two years. There's conflict between Thor's father who wants Thor to marry an Asgardian, not a weak human.

Tom Hiddleston plays Loki.

Loki has been imprisoned since the first movie, but Thor releases him so they can end Malekith and the elves. Thor knows he can't trust Loki, and the narrative uses it to great effect as we wonder whether Loki will betray. There's plenty of misdirection as the movie plays it both ways.

Of course Malekith has to attack Earth. Despite the other eight realms, Earth is the center. We get not only a big battle but comic relief as well. The Marvel movies cater to a broad audience, and it's worked.

Chris Hemsworth plays Thor.

While Thor receives the offer to be king due to saving the nine realms, he can't because he needs his schedule free for future Avengers movies.

I appreciate how the credits scene mentions the infinity stones. I had no idea what that scene was foreshadowing the first time I saw it. Marvel put a lot of planning into all of these movies. This movie made me wonder what happened in Marvel's The Avengers (2012). While it's not critical to see that movie, events in the universe are referenced.

I haven't seen the Thor movies since they released, but by my recollection Thor: Ragnarok is the best followed by Thor and Thor: The Dark World. Having watched the first two, that holds true.