Scoring
We polled our entire team and ranked every MCU film across six categories. We weighted each category based on their overall value to the success of the movie.
Plot - 25%
Character Development - 20%
Villain - 20%
Action - 12.5%
Intangibles - 12.5%
Supporting Cast - 10%
Overview
Film: Thor: The Dark World
Release Date: November 8, 2013
Reception
IMDB: 7.0/10
Rotten Tomato - TOMATOMETER: 66%
Rotten Tomato - Audience: 76%
Box Office
Budget: $170,000,000
Opening Weekend: $85,737,841
Gross US: $206,362,140
Gross Worldwide: $644,783,140
Trailer:
Plot
Synopsis: When Dr. Jane Foster gets cursed with a powerful entity known as the Aether, Thor is heralded of the cosmic event known as the Convergence and the genocidal Dark Elves.
Analysis: Ah, Dark World. The black sheep of the MCU. It's not necessarily a bad movie. It's just incredibly forgettable in every way. This starts with the plot. The confusing threat mixed with the constant movement between Earth, Asgard, and the Dark World, was enough to make the audience check out mentally about halfway in.
Grade: 1.5/10
Character Development
Analysis: Outside of Thor whining about Jane Foster the whole time, there isn't a lot of development going on for our main protagonist.
Grade: 2/10
Villain
Name: Malekith
Bio: Leader of a rogue group of elves that want to live in darkness instead of making toys for Santa. The Asgardians fought off the elves thousands of years ago when they tried to make the world as dark and emo as them, so Malekith went into hibernation until his next opportunity.
Evil Plan: Wake up from hibernation when the realms are about to align so he can use the Aether, an infinity stone, even though it's a liquid type thing, to make everything dark. He basically wants to get out of the sun, like any normal pale person would.
Analysis: On paper Malekith has the makings to be a great villain. He looks creepy. He's got a powerful henchman. He even raises the stakes by taking out Frigga. It's too bad no one remembers any of this about his character. Between a convoluted plan and trying to decipher the character through cryptic subtitles, he was immediately forgotten as soon as the audience left the theater. All we were left with was a guy who gets way too excited to see a solar eclipse.
Grade: 1.5/10
Supporting Cast
Black Swan
Started as a villain now we here
When side B meets main B
Shazam!
Gimli
Ham Doll
Crazy Uncle Erik
Frigga Newtons
The Big O
Analysis: I'm going to say what we're all thinking. Thor is an idiot in this movie. Why are you wasting your time stressing about Jane Foster when you have the incredible Lady Sif just waiting for you to give her the time of day? Outside of that, the supporting cast is probably one of the stronger parts of the movie, if that says anything. Most of the scenes are stolen by great performances by Loki, Heimdall, and Odin. Even Frigga has a great send-off after she goes down fighting against Malekith.
Grade: 5.65/10
Action
Best Fight:
Analysis: This scene wins just because we get to see Thor and Loki teaming up again. Outside of that, there isn't a ton to write home about.
Grade: 3/10
Intangibles
Analysis: If you were to try to remember the best parts of this movie, Loki would most likely make up 90% of them. Even though the movie as a whole is widely considered a disappointment, this is where Loki started to build on the foundation of being a fan-favorite coming off of The Avengers.
Grade: 4/10
Best Moments
The Confidence
Final Score
Analysis: This film frequently shows up last on any consensus rankings list, so there is no surprise that it underwhelmed during our latest rewatch. Much like the final battle in the film, the plot is chaotic and all over the place. Fans showed up for a hyped Thor movie, but left disappointed after viewing an underwhelming Jane Foster movie. We're just glad that it gets better from here for the Thor character.
Grade: 2.52/10
Image Credits: Disney
