With this article however I’m not looking at what the film
is, but what I hope it will be. In terms of expectations of the film, need of
the story, and what this film should be for the universe as a whole. Even with
my personal disappointment in first installment of Phase 2 (all the films from Iron Man 3 to Avengers 2: Age of Ulton in 2015) I am very excited for this weekend’s
Thor: The Dark World release. Every
film that Marvel and Disney release is almost a guarantee to make money (as
long they are at least half good), and with Joss Whedon driving the plane I
think we are in good hands, however, this film stands as a turning point in the
biggest franchise going today. Without any further ado here’s Nerd 5 Top 5
reasons Thor: The Dark World is the
most important film of Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase 2.
5.
The Real Starting Point– Yes, the third Iron
Man film is the actual start of Phase 2, but in all reality that film serves as
more of a bridge from The Avengers into
the rest of phase 2 and the end to that solo franchise, rather than a start of the
next chapter of our story. Iron Man 3
director Shane Black has said that he was not concerned with how his film fit
with everything else, he made the movie he wanted and no matter the long term
effect. That’s the reason Iron Man 3
was able to set up a few very tiny things, but on the whole lacked any real
connection with the overall story of the cinematic universe. If we think of
these films as episodes of a TV show then Iron
Man 3 serves as a series finale more than a season finale and it’s Thor: The Dark World’s job to bring the
audience back into the fold. 
4.
It’s Been Fun, Now It’s Time to Get Real– This
first Thor film was good old fashion Hollywood fun and most of all it didn’t
take itself too seriously. All Thor
had to do was introduce the new characters of Thor, Loki, and Hawkeye to the
mainstream audience, develop the complicated relationship between Brothers Thor
and Loki, and introduce The Tesseract and the primary villain for The Avengers. Meanwhile in 2013, times
have changed for our hero; Thor was
able survive on low expectations and being a great origin story but The Dark World must dive deeper into the
world and into the characters. If this film really takes it’s time, sets up
some extreme hardships for our characters to overcome, and explores the
characters, universe and the ramifications of past and future events it will be
a huge success, just like it’s predecessor. For two films now Thor has been a
nearly unbeatable and unbreakable figure whose only real issue has been his own
ego; he’s been an unbeatable god (as he should of have been). Now it’s time to
really challenge the character, to bring him down a peg and see how he responds.
I hope Thor: The Dark World is up to
the challenge because it has a chance to really shine.
3.
In Eccleston We Trust – The man who
brought back Doctor Who from the dead is coming back to the limelight, this
time as Malekith the Accursed, the leader of the dark elves (that’s his role in
the comics). First appearing in 1984, in Thor issue #344, Malekith instantly formed
a partnership with Loki, which seems to the where this story is heading as
well. Malekith will be played by Christopher Eccleston, the ninth doctor, an
amazing actor who continues the trend of outstanding British actors playing
major villains in blockbuster superhero films. Eccleston is picky about the
parts that he takes and that bodes well for the fact that he’s involved with
this film. Whether it be he liked the script, was excited to work director Alan
Taylor (The Sopranos, Mad Men, Game of
Thrones) and this very talented cast or he simply wanted the paycheck that
comes with being a part of one of the biggest film franchise of all time, it’s
good to have him here. His work should be more than good enough to give us a very
memorable one-off villain. 
2.
Loki Should Die – Those words are
painful for me write as I love what Tom Hiddleston has done with the character,
he’s made the character layered, fascinating and big enough to take on an
entire team of superheroes; while endearing himself to the audience and
becoming one of the most manipulative, calculating and cunning villains in all
of film history. Simply put, he’s a villain beloved on the highest level. So
much so, that he could easily play the part of a hero in The Dark World. It would be a very Whedon thing to kill off a
beloved character for story purposes. In terms of story Loki has served his
purpose, in terms of pop culture he’s never been more adored, but in terms of The Dark World it couldn’t be more
appropriate for him to make the ultimate sacrifice. The bond between brothers
Thor and Loki has been portrayed as amazingly strong, although fractured,
broken and messed up as it may be; the death of a brother could be the extreme
hardship that pushes Thor over the edge and into even more greatness.
1.
Move Over Iron Man, It’s Thor Time –
It’s time to pass the torch. Iron Man broke on to the scene in 2006 and started
this crazy trip into the Marvel Universe, he made it main stream, he made it
hip and cool, and now it’s time for a new hero to claim the thrown. With the
third Iron Man film behind us and Robert Downey Jr’s pay grade going higher and
higher with each film, it’s unlikely that we will see another standalone Iron
Man film. However, we will be getting at least one more Thor film and the sequel
to The Avengers and someone needs to
take the reigns as the face of the Marvel universe. Who better than a rising
movie star, who is playing a likable character that is poised for many more
great adventures, and Hemsworth who is willing to play the character from here
to eternity? No one is better. That not enough reasons? Think of it this way: it’s
been proven that Hulk can’t carry a film alone, Captain America is working well
as an interesting side man who can take the lead when needed, but overall leads
a quite and conflicted life, that works in both terms of story and reality; because
the USA is not behind a true blue red-blooded American hero anymore. Also, none
of the other Avengers are developed enough to step instantly into a lead; that
just leaves one Thor. It’s go time everyone. I have a lot of hopes, aspirations,
and dare I say expectations for this upcoming film. It’s going to take more than
a simple good time at the movies for Thor:
The Dark World to be what is needed to keep this train rolling. That being
said, I have faith in the franchise that has made very few major mistakes. Marvel
could take this film in many different ways for it to be great, above are only
a few of my thoughts. There are very few true cinematic events worth going to
see in theaters these days. I’m hoping Thor:
The Dark World will be one of them. It’s time to get psyched for the next
Thor film and I will see you all this weekend at the movies!
Can't get to Thor this weekend? Want to Catch up before seeing the next chapter? Enjoy these films!
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