Issue 8: Alex's Reflections on Thor: The Dark World (2013)

It is interesting to note that what I consider to be the weakest two movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are back-to-back in chronological order. As was stated in my previous review, Iron Man 3 supremely botched a classic villain (The Mandarin) and toyed with Tony Stark’s character. But Thor: The Dark World may lay claim to being the weakest Marvel Cinematic Universe movie. 

Visually, the film is well done. The colors are strong, the sequences are visually coherent, and the effects are adequate. However, this film falters in its insistence on pushing the Thor and Dr. Jane Foster romance through a plot involving a Dark Elf named Malekith (Christopher Eccleston). My apologies to my fellow reviewers, but the Thor/Jane Foster romance feels incredibly forced. There are subtle hints at a possible love triangle throughout the film with Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander), but knowing how these movies progress, that story is quickly shelved. And for that matter, so is Jane Foster’s Story. Thor: The Dark World marks the end of Jane Foster’s impact in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Looking into the history before I completed this review, the reason for her departure is cited as “creative differences” (Hedash, 2019). Portman reportedly only agreed to the sequel because Patty Jenkins (the director of Wonder Woman) was originally hired. But the studio replaced Jenkins with Alan Taylor, and apparently the replacement of Jenkins displeased Portman.

 

I bring all of this up because a major shift in the Thor franchise occurs here, and it is centered around Portman’s character of Jane Foster. It is unfair of me to make assumptions about what happened with Natalie Portman’s situation with Marvel during the making of this film because I simply do not know the details. However, I can say that as a viewer of the film, I can see this issue having an impact in the movie itself. What is especially odd is the end credits scene where Thor comes back to see Jane. It is as if the film makers are telling the audience, “See, we’re not done with Jane’s character yet. Right? Are we done? Maybe. Who knows…” The reality is Marvel was done with Jane Foster until the recent Thor: Love and Thunder was announced where Natalie Portman is supposed to play Thor.

 

If you were to watch all of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in one long binge watch, Thor: The Dark World would be the snack break. This is the movie you could skip. Yes, portions of it are referenced in Avengers: Endgame, but a simple explanation from a buddy would suffice in filling out the details:

Friend 1: “So yeah, Natalie Portman has this red stuff in her that turned out to be an Infinity Stone. And then you never see her again.”

Friend 2: “Oh, ok. Do I need to know anything else?”

Friend 3: “Nah. That’s it.”

And that, Charlie Brown, is the true meaning of Thor: The Dark World.

Reference

Hedash, K., (2019). Why Natalie Portman originally left the Thor movies.