As Marvel‘s movies have moved on the expectation for sophistication, action and the need for something new continues. Thor: The Dark World, improves on the first film, which was pretty good, in many ways, but at the same time, it also takes many steps back as it cribs from a few other, inferior movies.

The story is pretty simple, there’s a mysterious force that’s not explained quite well enough, that if used by the evil Dark Elf Malekith will destroy the entire universe as the nine realms come into line. That force finds its way into Thor’s girlfriend Jane Foster and off on a journey and convoluted plan they must go.

The whole movie as a whole is a bit over the top in the plot and machinations, Malekith’s attempt to gain the force and Thor’s plan to free Foster from it. What’s nice is the movie takes us through the various realms and world tree of Thor’s mythology, but as it does so, it doesn’t quite explain it all enough. You get a sense, without a solid explanation.

There’s also a very weird tone that pervades the movie, one that feels like it’s clearly being made for the masses, especially young kids, with humor placed at numerous spots that hit and miss and action sequences and characters that I only thought, possible toy tie-in. And that’s what’s weird about this Thor. Marvel has really tried to make it explainable, moving away from the swords and sorcery I’ve known in comics to the this technology infused Dungeons and Dragons. I felt like I was watching Krull at time with savages firing energy blasts from their weapons just before using them as swords. It’s a weird mix and the sparks and flashes of light as swords clash is upped in this film from the first as if the budget has clearly been upped just for that.

Then there’s the tone of the movie which seems to have cribbed the worst from the Star Wars prequels with action sequences and chase scenes you could have placed Clone Troopers or Droids chasing Jedi. That isn’t helped by set designs and special fx/world designs taken directly from those movies. Listen to the ships fly around and tell me the fx sound isn’t from Star Wars or the skiff design isn’t reminiscent of Return of the Jedi. It was almost too distracting for me.

There was also the acting in this film that got me. While some folks chewed the scenery and had fun (Tom Hiddleston as Loki), others looked board as if they were there just due to contracts and cashing a check (Natalie Portman as Foster).

Overall, the movie is entertaining and worth seeing. But you can wait, nothing really blew me away. The best part of the film is the post movie scenes we’ve come to expect. The first setting up the Marvel movieverse for some time to come and the second putting a smile on your face, even though it’s a bit choppy. The movie is good, not amazing. So as long as you go in not expecting much, you’ll walk out entertained.

Direction: 7 Acting: 7 Plot: 7.25 Overall: 7