Thor: The Dark World Review - 2½ Stars

Chris Hemsworth picks up his hammer and goes to work in “Thor:  The Dark World”.  In this follow to the original, Thor must defeat Malekith the Accursed or the universe will go back to particles.  Plus Tom Hiddleston as Thor’s evil brother Loki remains up to no good.  “Thor:  The Dark World” follows the usual comic action playbook–good guy must defeat an evil force or it’s bad for all of us.  The best moments in “Thor” mix the world of mythology with our current world.  This brings in scientist Natalie Portman—the brilliant astrophysicist who happens to have the hots for Thor.  In one of the best moments of the movie, she slaps Thor demanding “Where were you?”—in other words she’s making commitment noise.   Anthony Hopkins adds gravitas as Thor’s father.  Check your mythology to figure out the players and plot.  “Thor:  The Dark World” aims squarely at the crowd who love “The Avengers”–and they’re a big crowd.  They’ll love this installment and enjoy the tease at the end for part three.  Oh yes, there’s more.  Does it deliver what it promises?  Comic action for the Avengers crowd.  Is it entertaining?  A lot of the same old thing with some moments that rise above the material.  Is it worth the price of admission?  For fans.