ON CONTINUITY
ARTH VADER (AV): Marvel's Phase 2 is rolling like so much thunder (get it?). Thor: The Dark World carves a deeper swath into the lore of Thor, Asgard and the mythos of the 9 realms. Derived from a story buried waist-deep in Marvel cannon (history), Thor 2 unleashes the full creativity of Marvel Comics, Marvel Characters and of course, Marvel Studios, Bringing the audience for a showdown with the villainous Malekith the Accursed, Marvel continues to tap it's deep, rich well of original stories and content that has been in creation since the 1960's, With some noticeable yet easy-to-overlook differences between the books and the screen, this movie leads the audience on one heck of an intensely exciting ride. Pontificator, you're up. 
THE PONTIFICATOR (TP): Continuity has become something made up for the films, but at least this film was consistent with the first and all the new characters weren’t just made up for the film, but real existing characters from the comics.The translations of the characters from comic book to film was very well done and with such a long and rich history in the books, Thor has been handled like a deity (from Asgard… get it?).
CASTING, DIRECTING AND ACTING
AV: All the usual suspects return to the big screen for the sophomore installment of Thor 2. While I will let me esteemed and accomplished partner delve deeper in the cast, I want to first comment on the movie direction. Alan (Game of Thrones) Taylor and James (Guardians of The Galaxy) Gunn co-direct arguably the the most entertaining Thor so far and thread their unique cocktail of comedy, drama, sci-fi, huge battle-sequences, teaser content and eye-popping special effects into one fun and memorable fan-boy joy ride. With a scope as grand as the 9 realms, this movie is paced exceedingly well and keeps the viewer on seat's edge darn-near the entire film. For this Marvel-ite, the movie was a real thrill. 
TP: The cast was, in a word, excellent. I’ll start at Chris Hemsworth in his return to the role of Thunder God, and move onto the return of Natalie Portman and Sir Anthony Hopkins in their roles as Thor love interest Jane Foster and All-Father Odin. Loki was a show stealer, easily usurping the screen every time Tom Hiddleston became the villain. Christopher Eccleston (best known to me as the 9th Doctor Who) was superb as the menacing Malekith. Once again, Idris Elba delivered as Heimdall. There was no place this film went wrong with acting and with the steady pace of humor and action, was very much what it set out to be… a blockbuster.
CAUTION: Spoilers, dead ahead!
AV: Okay Ponty, for me, to even discuss SF/X in a movie, I need to see something I haven't seen before. Not landmark, just a story prop that pushes (or even just nudges) the movie-going experience in a new direction. Thor:TDW does that. The trans-dimensional slug-fest that is the movie's grand final is furiously fast and fun. Watching Loki morph into several noted characters and even into the star-spangled Steve "Captain America" Rogers, was terrific. The fight scenes were big, bad-ass and bold. Seeing the 9 realms collapsing in on one another was awesome. The top notch effects were stunning and I dare say, 3D made it just that much better. Pontificator, your thoughts? 
TP: I expected no less than awesome Vader, and this film delivered like the mailman. I don’t know where to begin, and the film didn’t know where to end (literally). The weapons of the Dark Elves were jaw-dropping and the landscapes of the realms were spectacularly rendered. I shouldn’t have to mention that a film like this should be seen in IMAX 3D because the sound and effects are soooo much better! I know it’s an often overlooked part of the effects, but costume design goes a long way to set the tone of the film and adds to the overall effect, that makes the film special.
TAKING A DEEPER LOOK
AV: This movie goes deep, Ponty. Real deep. Forget the greater exploration of Asgard or the heavily discussed mid-credit scene with the Collector. I want to look to two different examples specifically. First, let's talk about Erik Selvin's blackboard. This one scene could be harbinger of years of forthcoming Marvel movies! On this board, Erik outlines The Fault (Planet Hulk anyone?), the Crossroads (hello, Inhumans!) and the board even went as far to call out Earth 616. Good lord, Ponty!
Second, the visuals of the Nine Realms converging in on Each other. Did we see the 'flaming realm', Muspelheim? The realm ruled by the 900-foot evil of Surtur and his legion of Fire Demons? Are you kidding me? This is one fan-boy about to plotz over the implications of this board! Pontificator, please tell me I'm not alone here! 
TP: You are not alone Vader. Looking deeper, it was clear this film had so much more of all the elements that made the first film so good. There was no shortage of humor, I mean the kind that has you laughing out loud…but it was well contrasted to the dire feel of imminent doom the Dark Elves represented, and spectacular action sequences that broadened the scope of the film. At times it felt like a war film, at other times a buddy flick. There have been many times in the books where the brothers have teamed together for a common goal, and the betrayal of Thor by Loki is always an inevitable end. I was very pleased how those elements were played out onscreen and even knowing the scenario, was presented as fresh as the first time it ever happened.
To add to your “nugget list” Vader…how about the rock creature Thor dispatched at the beginning being from the very first Thor comic book appearance, Journey Into Mystery #83…? Want more? The same creature was seen in the Planet Hulk animated movie, so now we actually have two ties to some future smashing seen in this film. Sounds like we’re coming full circle here.
ON SEQUELS
TP: Well it goes without saying that Marvel is going big for its onscreen universe and this film sets up for the story to continue, in so many ways than the obvious.
RATE IT!
ARTH VADER rates Thor: The Dark World: For the sake of full disclosure, there are some continuity problems with this film and their are a ton of places the uninitiated casual moviegoer can get completely lost. But even if you were unable to follow the story, the movie is entertaining and delights with a careful formula of whimsical dialogue, character-driven intrigue, and enough special effects to appease even the most dissuaded sci-fi fan. In short, Thor TDW delivers. So with a mighty burst of lightening, Thor: The Dark world electrifies 9 (9) busted—and vaguely Tesseract-looking–busted blocks. Ponty?
THE PONTIFICATOR rates Thor: The Dark World: This film was better than the first in nearly every category, except maybe the romance… but I didn’t come to see the God of Thunder get soft over a mortal. I came for pulse-pounding action, worlds in peril… and Loki, and I got all three! With a great story to fill the interim before Marvel onscreen explodes, great special effects and superb character acting, this film thunders in at nine (9) busted blocks.
BUT WAIT—THERE'S MORE! (This part is purely for the geeks. Oh and uh… SPOILERS!)
AV: So we do have to speak for just a moment, on the mid-credit scene shot by director James Gunn. The scene was curious fro me, Ponty. To those who missed it or forgot, Lady Sif (Jamie Alexander) and Volstagg (Ra Stevenson) deliver one of the Infinity Gems to The Collector (Benicio Del Toro) in an effort to keep more than one from being in Asgard (there are six total). The Tesseract (from the Avengers) is widely believed to be the Mind Gem. If indeed this scene holds true to Marvel cannon, then the red gem that was turned over was the Power Gem. This is an awesome development.
In the scene, an untold number of intergalactic items of interest can be viewed by including a member of the Flora Colossus, if not Groot himself of Gunn's forthcoming Guardians of The Galaxy. And then of course, is the cocoon. IS Adam Warlock inside? Wearing the Soul Gem? Ponty, help me out here, because I honestly can barely keep it together
TP: I’ve seen this film a few times, and always sit there and try like heck to figure out what I’m looking at in that scene. I know there are nuggets there…and worse still, they are probably the most obvious one’s we’re overlooking.
Thor: The Dark World 9 / 10 Busted Blocks
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