The Marvel Cinematic Universe has produced hit after hit over the course of the last decade, but many fans continue to view Alan Taylor's Thor: The Dark World as one of the weakest titles in the MCU. Many people feel the 2013 film was arguably one of the more forgettable of the otherwise standout Phase 2 slate, and even Thor actor Chris Hemsworth seems to feel that way. In a recent interview, Hemsworth addressed the first two Thor films and said:
The first one is good, the second one is meh. What masculinity was, the classic archetype---it just all starts to feel very familiar. I was so aware that we were right on the edge.
So, Chris Hemsworth remains proud of his original foray into the Thor world with Kenneth Branagh's Thor. However, Hemsworth's comment to GQ notes that he (like many fans) seems to think that Thor: The Dark World is simply "meh." Though not necessarily critical of the work done by anyone on the film, the reason for his lackluster perception of The Dark World is that it retreads many familiar beats and hones in on superhero masculinity in a "familiar" way.
Of course, it's still worth mentioning that Thor: The Dark World remains an essential film in the greater MCU canon -- even if it's not the most beloved entry in said canon. The movie features the debut of the Reality Stone, making it a pivotal entry on the road to Avengers: Infinity War and Loki's arc in the film is fundamental to the character that he becomes during later films in the overarching Marvel franchise. Thor: The Dark World may not be the best film that Marvel Studios has ever given audiences, but to me it still stands out as a fundamental stepping stone for those who want to understand the complete continuity of this superhero landscape and what it all means in the grand scheme of things.
Luckily, things have definitely improved for Chris Hemsworth and Thor since the days of Thor: The Dark World. Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok has become widely-hailed by many fans as the best installment of the Thor trilogy, and Chris Hemsworth's performance as Thor in Avengers: Infinity War was regarded as one of the best elements of that movie earlier this year. With all of this in mind, we're left to wonder how the character's arc will improve as the MCU approaches the end of Phase 3 with Avengers 4.
On that note, make sure to pick up a copy of Avengers: Infinity War, which is currently available on Digital HD, 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD, and check out our 2018 movie premiere guide. Looking ahead to next year, watch out for Chris Hemsworth's upcoming turn as Thor when Avengers 4 premieres on May 3, 2019!
