Thor (as a movie? ...Squeee!!!)

Alrighty then! So I was able to see Thor: The Dark World and wanted to add my opinion to the aether. (Pun totally intended.)

Alright, so I have a habit of getting starstruck by these superhero movies and not realizing that they have feet of clay until the DVD release, but I highly doubt that this is the case this time around. This is mostly because I was honest with myself about what I did and did not like about the movie.
It opens with the mandatory exposition of what happened centuries ago when Asgard fought in this one war, etc, etc, you'll probably remember that from the first movie. Then we open to Loki's judgement for his resent crimes against humanity, which is a brief scene, but it sets things up for later.
There is an obvious change in our hero, Thor, since his last lead title movie. He's more mature, more humble, not nearly so naive, and an all around capable hero.There seems to be very little else for our hero to do now, other than get the girl and ascend the throne.
Then the Dark Elves attack and throw everything into chaos with some awesome sci-fi battleship action that Lucas himself might envy. The fights aren't at all tedious in this film. A combination of creative writing and wonderful cinematography make them exciting and strangely believable for such sci-fi fantasy. Every ship and every knife wielding villain has a purpose, a mission, a design beyond just filling out a scene.

If that's not enough to compel you, then the character interaction should do the trick. I hardly know where to begin on that front.
Thor and his beloved Jane are a much better couple than last movie. Mostly because Jane is in genuine danger, not simply caught in the middle of a conflict, but the cause of it. She's in trouble so Thor acts as support and she accepts his help. A bit damsel-in-distress-like, but Jane remains a capable character and therefore avoids most of the cliches.
Thor and Odin All-father act very much like a father and son. Odin has his eye on his son's future, hoping for his happiness. Thor looks to his father respectfully though he doesn't agree with him on all counts. When Thor challenges his father's authority again, it is out of moral conviction, not pride.
Thor and his newest foe Malekith are no disappointment either. The dark elf has such a stage presence at times that you totally believe that he can beat up the mountain of a man that is Thor. And although their fight soon becomes personal, Thor fights him with his responsibility to the Nine Realms first and foremost in his mind.
And Thor and Loki...I must say that they are what sold this movie. Loki resents pretty much everyone but himself for his imprisonment, but more so for their neglecting him. Thor has given up hope that he and his brother will ever med their relationship, so he sees through his lies easier than he once did. Yet with all this, their relationship almost grows! Thor is so patient with Loki as the god of mischief teases and jabs at him and Loki admires his brother all the more for his new found distrust. It's amazing!

I shall not spoil the ending for you. It suffices to say that things were left open for future films, but I don't think you'll find it at all unsatisfying because it feels very complete as a whole
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I give it Four out of Five stars once again. ****_

The lack of that fifth star can be attributed to poor, poor Erik Selvig and Darcy.
Darcy was charming as always, but it kinda felt like the film was throwing her a bone to keep her happy. And Selvig has been ruined for me. He was great in the first film, skimmed over in the Avengers, and now reduced to a joke. Poor guy...