Marvel Cinematic Universe: Ranking all 18 movies after Black Panther

Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios; poster for Thor: The Dark World (2013)

18. Thor: The Dark World (2013)

For some reason, most Hollywood Studio executives assume the best way to make a sequel to a popular movie is to make it virtually identical to first movie. Of course, there’s also tricks involved to make it seem different. In some cases, it means a bigger budget. In other cases, it’s taking the same plot points from the first film and inverting them. Naturally, such a sequel tends not to do as well as it’s predecessor.

Case in point, Thor: The Dark World.  Instead of the son of Odin being banished to Earth, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is brought by Thor (Chris Hemsworth) to Asgard. Rather than having Frost Giants as the seeking revenge on the Norse Gods, its Dark Elves.” Instead of Odin (Anthony Hopkins) succumbing to his “Odinsleep,” his wife Frigga (Rene Russo) is killed by main villain, Malekith (Christopher Eccleston). This, of course, prompts Thor and Loki (Tom Hiddleston), despite being enemies, to joined forces against a common foe. It even has what looks like Loki’s death…just like the last movie.

The movie isn’t a complete disaster. It does have better effects and engages in more world building than the first Thor. Hemsworth and Hiddleston, as Thor and Loki, really play off each other well, and a scene where Loki turns into Captain America (Chris Evans) is hysterical. But in the end, Thor: The Dark World is tedious and uninspired. It also feels like it goes on forever, which is funny because it’s running time is shorter than the first Thor.  No wonder Thor: Ragnarok made fun of this movie.