Thor: The Dark World, review - Tom Hiddleston shines in latest Marvel epic
Directed by Alan Taylor, with Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth (3D; 12A; 112mins)
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The latest Marvel superhero drama lurches from Wagnerian sturm und drang to flippant self-parody in a sometimes disconcerting style.
Thor is busy saving the Nine Realms from the evil Malekith one moment and then driving around with astrophysicist Jane Foster (Portman) in an estate car the next. (At least, when he goes into somebody's house, he's always polite enough to hang up his hammer.)
Alan Taylor, who has directed countless episodes of the best US TV dramas – Mad Men, The Sopranos and Game of Thrones – makes a valiant attempt to balance the action set pieces with humour and depth of characterisation.
He is helped by Tom Hiddleston's sleekly malevolent performance as Thor's untrustworthy brother Loki, a more engaging and complex figure than Chris Hemsworth's monosyllabic Thor.
The film makes witty use of its London locations, but not all of the comic gambits work. There is, for instance, far too much of Stellan Skarsgard in his underwear.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments