The Flickering Myth writing team discuss the first trailer for Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World….
Disney and Marvel Studios launched Phase Two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe here in the UK this week with the release of Iron Man 3 [read our spoiler-free ★★★★ review here], but before then they gave us a sneak peek at their second Phase Two offering with the arrival of the first trailer for Thor: The Dark World [which you can view here]. Directed by Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones), the sequel to 2011’s Thor sees Chris Hemsworth returning as the God of Thunder to do battle with a grave new threat in Malekith the Accursed (former Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston) and his army of Dark Elves, forcing the Avenger to embark upon a perilous journey in order to save the Nine Realms.
Hemsworth is joined in the cast of Thor: The Dark World by returning Thor stars Natalie Portman (Jane Foster), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Anthony Hopkins (Odin), Rene Russo (Frigga), Stellan Skarsgård (Erik Selvig), Idris Elba (Heimdall), Ray Stevenson, (Volstagg) Jaimie Alexander (Lady Sif), Tadanobu Asano (Hogun) and Kat Dennings (Darcy Lewis) all return to the cast, while Zachary Levi (Chuck) has replaced Josh Dallas as Fandral and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra) portrays another new bad guy, Algrim the Strong / Kurse.
Check out what our writing team made of the first trailer for Thor: The Dark World…
Chris Cooper: Can’t say I’m blown away. It does look lovely and grounded. Well, as grounded as this can be. I’m sure the film itself will be good, I’m just not all giddy over this first view. Always good to see London (I assume) in a big film. Didn’t get to see anything of Thor’s supposed new fighting moves, but there is plenty of time yet. I’m confident it will be good, don’t get me wrong, but I’m not Iron Man excited. Nice little appearance by Loki though. Hiddleston owns that role.
Brogan Morris: Design-wise, this looks as spectacular as the first Thor film, but there’s not enough story-wise in the trailer to pique my interest. The only bit that got me intrigued was Tom Hiddleston’s audition for The Crow at the end.
Luke Graham: I like the change in design and tone. Darker (obviouisly) and the earthier tones are moodier and more natural and fits the medieval fantasy setting of Asgard better than the oversaturation of the last film. Apart from that it’s a very “conservative” trailer: fairly little story, no big set pieces, only one brief glimpse of Eccleston’s bad guy. They’re giving very little away.
Scott Davis: It looks great, bit dirtier and grittier than the first, but can’t say I’m blown away by it so far. Looks like it might be a little lovey-dovey as well as action-packed, and with Hemsworth, Portman, Hopkins and Hiddleston back, sure it will be great when we get it. for a teaser it does the job, just hope or something a little new stirring when trailer 2 arrives.
Martin Deer: Thor was my favourite solo movie from Phase One. Aside from the 3rd act’s lack of delivery on action, I think I prefer it to The Avengers. It was all character, and so I hope that continues in The Dark World. Not much to go on in this teaser, and so I can’t say it did much for me. Personally, I hated Eccleston’s line ‘what would you sacrifice…’, I feel like I have heard that line far too many times in films. Still excited for the film, and I am absolutely all for not giving anything away, but this teaser was a empty and, kind of pointless really.
Luke Owen: I wasn’t blown away by the trailer. Visually it looks nice, but there wasn’t enough in there to make me go, ‘man – I can’t wait to see that movie’. As Martin said, some of the dialogue seems incredibly overused and the “willing to sacrifice” line was used in The Avengers. Having said that, I said the same sort of things about the first trailer for Thor and I ended up quite enjoying that. So time will tell I guess. Perhaps we’ll get a bit more in trailer 2.
Plus, Seatle-grunge Loki looked pretty cool.
Villordsutch: What I like instantly is the fact it’s I can see Britain (well London) and somehow this takes the glossy shine of most movies and brings it to a real level of grey and grit (shades of Skyfall). I’ve got high hopes this will be great. I enjoyed the first Thor and I hope I enjoy the second.
Matt Smith: The first Thor surprised me, in that Thor was the least interesting character for me but the film was still highly enjoyable. I think his emotional arc was a little under sold in The Avengers, what with his brother being the Big Bad and all. This struck me as more of an extended teaser as opposed to a trailer, which is a sentence that makes me sound like such a pernickety idiot but the lack of story and the way it’s more a montage of images laying down the groundwork (Portman’s back, Loki’s in prison looking Russell Brand-y) suggests this was intended as an announcement or reminder for a movie that, let’s not forget, isn’t out until October/November.
Tori Brazier: Yay for Hiddles! That’s all I’ve got to say about that for the moment…
Jake Peffer: I enjoyed the first Thor much more than I thought I would so I’ve been very excited for the sequel. The trailer looked good to me. Like it’s been said already it seemed like a longer teaser than an actual trailer but it still worked for me. I’m glad that the majority of the movie looks like it’ll take place in Asgard rather than go back and forth between Asgard and Earth. This was a satisfying trailer and I look forward to the full length one that I’m sure will follow soon.
J-P Wooding: I enjoyed the first film a lot and thought it stood well on it’s own; it wasn’t just a supporting film for Avengers Assemble. This trailer gives us just enough to know that its going to be dark and rough, which will be a nice progression from the first. Very pleased it didn’t give too much away and I look forward to seeing it. It makes a change for a trailer not to give too much info.
Anghus Houvouras: This teaser did the job. It made me interested in a movie that I was fairly ambivalent about I liked Thor, but a lot of it felt garish and goofy. At times it felt like a very special episode of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. I’m more interested in this corner of the Marvel Universe because its the one I’m least familiar with. The Dark World looks like the most crazy corners of the Marvel realm, and the less polished look suits the film. Loki as Hannibal Lecter is the direction we all saw coming and I think it was smart to let everyone know the universes most prickly thorn will be back. Count this one as a win.
So, overall a quite positive reception to this first trailer, which has done its job effectively by leaving us wanting to see more. What did you make of the trailer for Thor: The Dark World? Let us know in the comments below…
Thor: The Dark World is set for a UK release on October 31st and opens in North American on November 8th.
Originally published April 26, 2013. Updated December 13, 2019.
