The second Thor movie picks up from the first. Chris Hemsworth does an excellent portrayal of Thor, the god of thunder and the prince of Asgard. Natalie Portman is back as his love interest Dr. Jane Foster. The film moves more directly into a romantic relationship between Thor and Foster. The majority of the cast is back, and the film at the end has a very interesting teaser that will be recognized by comic book fans. The film is nicely woven in with Avengers continuity and the very end of the film gives hints as to what will happen in Avengers II. The Avengers themselves aren’t referenced in this film, beyond a few brief images. As the hints for future movies are subtle, one does not have to have watched the Avengers to understand this film.
The uncomfortable relationship Loki (Tom Middletown) has with his adopted brother Thor ,and his adopted parents Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and Frigga (Rene Russo) are expanded upon. As movie audiences are now more familiar with the concepts of Marvel’s Asgardians from Thor and from the Avengers, the film now gets more into the magic and mythological aspects. We see souls go into the afterlife after bodies are cremated. Loki’s shapeshifting powers are shown. Frigga’s magic is shown in this film, and she is shown as physically a lot more formidable than in the previous film. The dark elves are the antagonists of this film, lead by Malekith and Kurse. A number of cosmic elements are in the film as well, and they are tied to Malekith in various ways. Those who are fans of Marvel’s grand storylines won’t be disappointed. Thor II did move away from some of the humorous elements of Thor II, as a number of more serious things happen in this film that are related to Malekith’s threat to the 9 worlds. The acting talents of Anthony Hopkins aren’t really to put to use in this film. As casualties line up, he shows little reaction. Odin is meant to be the patriarch, but surely no father enjoys seems devastation to his subjects/family. The love/hate brother relationship is shown between Thor and Loki. After all Loki has done, Thor still sees Loki as a brother. And as twisted as Loki is, he still sees Thor as a brother. Sif (Jamie Alexander) is merely a platonic female friend of Thor’s in the movies so far. In the Norse Myths she was Thor’s wife, a relationship which follows to Marvel Comics. The Warriors Three are back as Thor’s loyal brothers in arms, and Idris Elba has a commanding presence as Heimdall, the guardian of the Rainbow Bridge. Comic book fans won’t be disappointed, and those who love the sci-fi/fantasy genre will be well entertained.