All right, finally got back from seeing THOR 2...
...and it was spectacular. Seriously, spectacular.
Trailers I Got:
-Pre-trailers trailer for FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC. Have never read the book (and probably shouldn't; from what I heard, it's disturbing as all hell), but from what I can gather of the original source material, this trailer looks really good. Brutal and heartbreaking (I seriously flinched in the theater watching), but good.
-Polar Bears: Basically sort of based on the Coca-Cola Bears. Odd choice for an adaptation (and to badly paraphrase Nash, I eagerly await Frosted Flakes: The Movie), but it was pretty cute.
-The Legend of Hercules: Let's just say as someone who was a huge Greek and Roman mythology buff when she was younger, I wasn't exactly happy with the trailer. Maybe I'm nitpicking/being an asshole, but let's say in terms of representing Hercules, the Disney version was more accurate, and the Disney version took a shitload of liberties (to say the least) with the story. (E.g. Hera being Hercules' mother, Hades being a villain when he was really more Dark Is Not Evil in the mythology, etc.) So yeah, don't think I'm going to go see it. Again, maybe I'm being an asshole, maybe the final product will turn out a lot differently, maybe it'll be enjoyable even if it took liberties (see also a lot of Disney adaptations), but so far, the trailer doesn't look good. It just doesn't help that it looks generic as all hell.
-47 Ronin: Just...hell yeah. Seriously, hell yeah.
-Captain America: The Winter Soldier: Looks fantastic. Black Widow kicking ass, Captain America being awesome, possible conflicts within the Avengers themselves...I sadly haven't seen the first Captain America movie, but honestly? I'm definitely psyched to see this one.
-The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: The more I see it, the more I get really fucking hyped if only to go and see it soon. Seriously. Hyped.
In all honesty, that's the most that I remember, really. We got a lot of trailers, and they kind of blurred together, really.
Theater Experience:
I actually went to see it with both my mom and my dad. Dad wasn't expecting to like it, and Mom wasn't either, but they both ended up enjoying it (although Dad said that it would probably be better if he knew the characters a little better. For all intents and purposes, we pretty much dropped him in cold without really knowing about the previous Thor film, which was probably not a good idea). Also, the projectors didn't go black on the commercials prior to the trailers, which was definitely a good thing because I didn't have to worry about the projector being broken. And then afterwards, we decided to go to Bonefish for takeout, and Mom and I got to talk a little bit about some stuff that was bothering me when I got home, which was good.
The movie itself:
I really have only half the knowledge of the first Thor film, because I kind of stopped prior to the whole thing with the Jotuns and Thor and co. sort of attacking Jotunheim. (Yeah I know, weird place to stop no doubt, but still) Still, I had enough knowledge of stuff from The Avengers and whatnot to really understand what was going on -- e.g. the matter of why Loki was being brought back to Asgard to be imprisoned; because of his whole stunt with the Chitauri. Which definitely made certain scenes all the more heartbreaking, such as Frigga's reaction when Loki's brought before her, and also (and something that actually made me tempted to yell at Loki right in the theater) saying that she's not his mother. Granted, she isn't, but it kind of felt like he was rejecting her as well as Odin, especially in terms of her just trying to get through to him and trying to help him. I know I definitely wanted to reach through the screen and slap him, really. On the other hand, considering his reaction after Frigga is killed, I think it might have been Loki mostly saying it in a moment of anger, really, mostly over the whole Well Done Son Guy thing that drove him on to this in the first place. Seriously, if he hadn't wanted to somehow make Odin proud (never mind that Odin loved him deeply) as well as his shock over being a Jotun (the very enemy of the Asgardians. I think someone on TV Tropes said it best when they said it was like a child finding out that he was the boogeyman). It definitely doesn't excuse his actions, but I think it makes his character all the more tragic and all the more compelling. He doesn't think that what he's doing is evil. He thinks that he's trying to do the right thing, to make his adoptive parents proud (hell, from what I can gather, he kills his -- apparently very deserving of his fate -- birth father just to make Odin proud of him), and, from his dialogue about the events of The Avengers, because Earth needs someone to be their leader, and who would do so if not him? And when Frigga's killed by Malekith, he actually all but breaks everything in his jail cell in a rage. Not to mention his fight with Thor on the way to the realm of the Dark Elves while Jane is still unconscious, with him basically accusing Thor of letting her die -- also known as one of those scenes that just broke my heart in the theater. Thor's anger, Loki's anger, and a lot more. I'll be getting to Frigga in a bit, though.
I think to top it off, Loki's a very interesting character. He's tragic, but he's not a victim; he's still very much capable of evil (see also him taking the throne from Odin at the end, after what I can only infer was Odin's murder at Loki's hands, and the events of New York, and a heck of a lot more) and yet, if the matter of the Dark Realm is any indication, he's very much capable of good (after all, he did try and help Thor, even sacrificing himself to do so. Though he obviously got better and turned back to his old villain-y self). That and really, when he's not being an asshole (to say the least; there were definitely times in the movie where I just wanted to reach out and slap him), he can be very funny, such as his comments on Thor's piloting skills (which are really just a cover for Thor's actual plan) -- "Good job, Thor! You just decapitated your grandfather!" after Thor...well, accidentally decapitates a statue of his grandfather, Bor. Also, him using his shapeshifting abilities to his advantage while they're breaking out -- the whole breakout scene was also freaking awesome, really -- and changing into Captain America briefly just to annoy the hell out of Thor.
So yeah. I like Loki. He's a really interesting character. He's not a one-dimensional villain who's there just for the sake of being evil -- he has his reasons, he has elements of pathos without really diminishing how manipulative and threatening he really is, he has his redeeming qualities and his villainous qualities in equal measure...he's definitely a character that people can take notes from when writing villains, because really, where's the appeal in writing a villain who's just there for the sake of being evil? At least, unless it's in a comedy or a horror film, I don't see the appeal. I mean, just look at villains like Darth Vader or the Master. Look at Khan Noonien Singh. Just to name three.
Speaking of villains, Malekith was pretty good too. I know I already loved Christopher Eccleston from his work in Doctor Who (anyone who hasn't seen his work in Doctor Who, go and watch it, as it is just fantastic), and he really shone here. I know that the opening scene, for example, detailing the whole war between the Dark Elves and the Asgardians -- also known as probably one of the best prologue scenes since Fellowship of the Ring. It definitely uses that sort of the same technique, showing what you need to know, making the narration compelling, etc. And Eccleston -- I think the best way to describe Christopher Eccleston is that he has a sort of natural presence; when he starts talking, you start listening. I know the scenes with his henchmen, for example, were very chilling. Any scene of him planning and plotting, really. Not to mention when he kills Frigga -- I definitely knew that it was coming (thanks to spoilers), but I definitely didn't know that it was going to be that brutal. And Frigga -- the way she went out was just fantastic. Just basically kicking the living shit out of Malekith when he goes after Jane, and not to mention setting up a whole illusion of Jane just to throw him out. And refusing to tell him where the Aether was. Honestly? That's how you do a Dying Moment of Awesome, really. Also really heartwrenching, what with Thor's reaction, and Loki's, as I mentioned above, and Odin's -- because he and Frigga, from what I can gather, were definitely Happily Married, and not just that, but Frigga was probably one of his biggest protectors. As she basically puts it, he wouldn't have made it that far if not for her. I know that her funeral as well was just heartwrenching -- the music definitely didn't help. Also, setting Frigga's funeral boat on fire, and setting the rest of the boats on fire as well. And Odin providing a sort of way, I suppose, for Frigga's spirit to reach the afterlife. I think that Frigga's death and her funeral was definitely one of the most well-done bits of the film, just because of how heartwrenching, and yet, with Frigga going out fighting, awesome, bits of the film. Because Frigga died making sure that Jane was safe. That...she's definitely one of the bravest characters in fiction I've ever known. Other moments were the interactions between Thor and Loki, what with Loki dying (although it didn't stick) and Thor begging him to stay with him (I think what made it hurt even more for me was just that thought -- before the ending scene, obviously -- "Thor's going to be the only one who ever knew what Loki did, isn't he?") and earlier, what was previously sort of played for laughs (emphasis on the "sort of". The line about Thor basically giving up on his brother was definitely played for drama, and definitely hurt, because I can only imagine the pain that it caused for the both of them -- Loki knowing that he was given up on, and Thor because he didn't want to give up on Loki. Because he cared about him once. And honestly, I think he still does. But the other bits, with the "betray him/me and you're dead", complete with Loki's snarky replies, were definitely played for laughs) sort of becoming poignant with Thor saying that he wished that he could trust Loki. Poor Thor. And poor Loki, for that matter. I think at the end of the day, I just want to hug them both.
Even Malekith, I think, got a bit of a poignant moment -- two, actually. One is something that I don't think anyone really mentioned, when he's standing in the Dark Elf realm, and he sort of pinches soil between his fingers and bemoans what happened, and what the Asgardians did (it just seemed, at least from the way Christopher Eccleston was playing it, almost like he felt like his home and his way of life had just been ripped from him. Barely excuses what he did -- and as I'm going to discuss more, there could be a little more -- but it was definitely a lovely, if short, moment). The second was when he expressed a moment of compassion and concern towards Algrim, who becomes Kurse later -- a sort of reminder that he's going to basically be damned to hell, even while he's injecting the necessary darkness into him. Sort of two brief moments of HIdden Depths from Malekith -- I think at least in the first one, it's sort of him missing what used to be his home, in a sort of twisted way, at least from the way that Christopher Eccleston played it. It's almost as if, for a moment, he's not just a complete and utter bastard (a bastard who was willing to sacrifice his own troops as well, with a heavy dose of Never My Fault considering he blames Asgard for what happened. *Shudders*). And for the second one, there's definitely something about Algrim and Malekith's dynamic as the Dragon and the Big Bad that's oddly lovely, considering that really, not many works of fiction really have a relationship between the Big Bad and his Dragon like that, where there's a sort of trust and devotion between them, because Algrim's continually protective of Malekith, watching over him, telling him that he should rest after he's wounded at Asgard, etc. It's definitely something that I really like about the Dark Elves in this film; their sort of undying loyalty and devotion to one another. They're destructive Omnicidal Maniacs, and yet no matter what happens, they're sticking this one out to the end. There's something about that, I think, that's a good thing to have with a villain, or series of villains -- give them some degree of redeeming qualities, even if, for example, it's just a case of your villain liking the opera.
In general, really, the characters were really goddamn good. I know, for example, the matter of Eric Selvig (a character that I can't say that I'm entirely familiar with. I'm certain that once I get to watching the first Thor film in full, I'll understand him better. That and possibly rewatching The Avengers) -- he was just fantastic. I know, for example, his scenes with him going about without his pants (and Thor's confusion) because it helps him think, as well as the matter of earlier, when he meets up with Jane and company and says, "How did you find me?" and their replies, "We saw you naked on TV!" And there was something about the TV report about him streaking that was funnier than it should have been, because it kind of reminded me of something that would show up on Nash's WTFIWWY Live (basically, for those who don't watch/haven't been inundated with my WTFIWWY posts in the past, one of many recurring themes on the show is the matter of people running around naked in public. Don't ask why). That and there was the whole scene with him explaining the matter of dark matter and the separate worlds to a really bored audience, demonstrating with two shoes and later, two pencils. And when he explains it to them, one of them (played apparently, according to TV Tropes, by Stan Lee himself) just asks if he can have his shoe back. That was one of those things that made me start laughing in the theater. That and there was the matter of the birds flying around -- also really honestly creepy as shit, when it wasn't prompting my brain to make a joke about Hitchcock's The Birds. -- and Selvig saying that it's comforting to realize that the world is crazier than you are. (Also kind of sad, in a way, poor guy) And yet at the same time, his research definitely proves invaluable in terms of defeating Malekith. I think that was one of my favorite parts of the film, just everyone banding together to save the world. Not to mention of course the Loki bits -- including a really awesome moment when he makes it look like he's going to join Malekith's side. I know in the theater, I was just really pissed off at first, and then I realized that Loki was just setting Malekith's side up just to get the shit kicked out of them. Him killing Kurse (and the subsequent "See you in hell" while he's lying there dying) was also awesome. Yeah, Loki? Your BAMF status is definitely deserved. Honestly, Loki in general was just badass, whether it was his Enemy Mine with Thor and company, or his bit at the end where it's revealed that he took the throne for himself. Also, the matter of Darcy -- Darcy was just awesome, really. I know that her interrupting Jane's date near the beginning was really funny, and interrupting Jane and Thor while they're kissing, were definitely two of my favorite scenes with her. Others included accidentally dropping the car keys into one of the weak points that connect Earth and the world of the Dark Elves while sort of experimenting with dropping objects, and helping out during the battle (also crossing into funny when Jane, thanks to sort of...the weak points connecting the Earth and the Dark World sort of making things disappear and reappear in other places *, runs across her and Ian kissing at one point). Jane was awesome too -- stuff like her slapping Loki ("That was for New York!" indeed), and her trying to rescue Thor when the Dark Elf ship starts collapsing, and her just doing her science-y stuff, were definitely some of the scenes that really made me like her an awful lot. Sif too -- I know things like her kicking ass in the beginning of the movie, all while exchanging some banter with Thor (her saying "I had everything under control!" and then Thor saying, "Is that why everything's on fire?" was definitely very funny. And the battle in general, including Thor taking down that stone megalith -- who I swear to God looks almost like a cross between the troll from Fellowship of the Ring and Azog from The Hobbit -- and the opposing troops promptly surrendering...that was really awesome), as well as rescuing Jane from where she was imprisoned, was really freaking awesome. Not to mention Thor himself -- I know his interactions with Loki were very touching, as well as his relationship with Jane in this film (it's just...adorable, really. Yes, I definitely ship them), and his interactions with people like Dr. Selvig, Ian, Heimdall (who was also awesome, BTW. He's become one of my favorites as well), Odin (I know, for example, Odin saying that he's proud of him was definitely a lovely moment considering...well, the events of the previous Thor film), etc. were awesome. Also, him managing to go into the Aether to try and defeat Malekith personally was just fucking awesome. I know Odin was another character that I really liked -- I know that others will probably disagree with me on this, but I really liked Odin. I think Anthony Hopkins did a really good job playing him as this relatively reasonable, if strict (see also his initial reaction to Jane) ruler figure. And Anthony Hopkins is a great actor -- I know that his reaction when he learns about Frigga being in danger (also known as the prelude to nearly crying at Frigga's death), as well as his whole conversation with Thor when Thor is thinking about taking Jane away from Asgard -- I know that his line about fighting the Dark Elves to the last Asgardian was chilling, as well as when Thor calls him out on it ("What makes you different from Malekith", basically. **) and his reply, "The difference is that I win." That was definitely one scene that gave me chills, and made me worry about Odin possibly going over the edge. I also really liked Ian; he was really cute, funny (such as him trying to bluff his way out by saying he's Selvig's son to help Thor when he and Darcy are going to find Thor and Jane) and badass (such as when he hurls a fucking car at Malekith's minions to protect Darcy). So yeah, the characters in this were great. They really were. Which I think is really important, because...well, plot's all well and good (it's great, really), but it's definitely important that we have characters we care about.
Not to mention the climax itself. Holy shit -- it was the perfect blend of nightmarish (I know the whole scene with Malekith's ships cutting through the Earth as they invaded was enough to give me chills), awesome (basically, just about everything that happened, what with Ian throwing that car, Selvig, Jane and Darcy working together to take down Malekith) and even funny (the whole bit with Ian and Darcy, Thor having to take the metro at one point to get back to Jane and the others) -- it was just a fantastic climax. And, of course, the Wham Shot at the end when we learn that Loki's taken the throne from Odin. (I just hope that Odin isn't dead. I think I said to Mom at one point that maybe Loki had Odin stashed in a cupboard somewhere -- I just hope that's the case and Thor and co. break him out and they kick Loki's ass together) I think it's all the more effective considering that up until then it was all nice and heartwarming and stuff like that with Thor going to Asgard to work things out with his father (especially considering that he'd committed treason against him, albeit for good reasons) and then as Thor leaves -- boom, Wham Shot. Also a Moment of Awesome and Nightmare Fuel. The movie was generally really good with the Nightmare Fuel (Jane getting infected with the Aether, for example, Malekith absorbing the Aether, Malekith beating Thor up and demanding that he look into his eyes during Loki and Thor's Batman Gambit against him -- yeah, Batman Gambit, but still terrifying -- Odin going off the deep end for a bit, Algrim becoming Kurse, Malekith's soldiers, etc.) and that was definitely no exception. I think it's probably one of the most awesome and terrifying twist endings I've ever seen.
Not to mention the ending credits scene with the Collector -- I can't say that I'm familiar with the character (I haven't read the comics that have him, note to self, do so), but the whole scene with him was really cool, and really mysterious. I'm really interested in seeing where it's going, really, assuming we see the Collector again (which I think we will. Marvel's not one for just leaving things hanging). Honestly, it was an excellent movie. Seriously.
* Which makes for an interesting climax, to say the least.
** Although I will say that it's kind of a false equivalency because Odin wasn't hell-bent on destroying everything. Calling him out on a Captain Ahab moment is all well and good, Thor, but comparing him to Malekith is pretty drastic. I'm all for Not So Different and What The Hell Hero (and Odin was definitely scary there), but that bit kind of bugged me.
So overall? Go see it. Seriously. It's fucking awesome.
Trailers I Got:
-Pre-trailers trailer for FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC. Have never read the book (and probably shouldn't; from what I heard, it's disturbing as all hell), but from what I can gather of the original source material, this trailer looks really good. Brutal and heartbreaking (I seriously flinched in the theater watching), but good.
-Polar Bears: Basically sort of based on the Coca-Cola Bears. Odd choice for an adaptation (and to badly paraphrase Nash, I eagerly await Frosted Flakes: The Movie), but it was pretty cute.
-The Legend of Hercules: Let's just say as someone who was a huge Greek and Roman mythology buff when she was younger, I wasn't exactly happy with the trailer. Maybe I'm nitpicking/being an asshole, but let's say in terms of representing Hercules, the Disney version was more accurate, and the Disney version took a shitload of liberties (to say the least) with the story. (E.g. Hera being Hercules' mother, Hades being a villain when he was really more Dark Is Not Evil in the mythology, etc.) So yeah, don't think I'm going to go see it. Again, maybe I'm being an asshole, maybe the final product will turn out a lot differently, maybe it'll be enjoyable even if it took liberties (see also a lot of Disney adaptations), but so far, the trailer doesn't look good. It just doesn't help that it looks generic as all hell.
-47 Ronin: Just...hell yeah. Seriously, hell yeah.
-Captain America: The Winter Soldier: Looks fantastic. Black Widow kicking ass, Captain America being awesome, possible conflicts within the Avengers themselves...I sadly haven't seen the first Captain America movie, but honestly? I'm definitely psyched to see this one.
-The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: The more I see it, the more I get really fucking hyped if only to go and see it soon. Seriously. Hyped.
In all honesty, that's the most that I remember, really. We got a lot of trailers, and they kind of blurred together, really.
Theater Experience:
I actually went to see it with both my mom and my dad. Dad wasn't expecting to like it, and Mom wasn't either, but they both ended up enjoying it (although Dad said that it would probably be better if he knew the characters a little better. For all intents and purposes, we pretty much dropped him in cold without really knowing about the previous Thor film, which was probably not a good idea). Also, the projectors didn't go black on the commercials prior to the trailers, which was definitely a good thing because I didn't have to worry about the projector being broken. And then afterwards, we decided to go to Bonefish for takeout, and Mom and I got to talk a little bit about some stuff that was bothering me when I got home, which was good.
The movie itself:
I really have only half the knowledge of the first Thor film, because I kind of stopped prior to the whole thing with the Jotuns and Thor and co. sort of attacking Jotunheim. (Yeah I know, weird place to stop no doubt, but still) Still, I had enough knowledge of stuff from The Avengers and whatnot to really understand what was going on -- e.g. the matter of why Loki was being brought back to Asgard to be imprisoned; because of his whole stunt with the Chitauri. Which definitely made certain scenes all the more heartbreaking, such as Frigga's reaction when Loki's brought before her, and also (and something that actually made me tempted to yell at Loki right in the theater) saying that she's not his mother. Granted, she isn't, but it kind of felt like he was rejecting her as well as Odin, especially in terms of her just trying to get through to him and trying to help him. I know I definitely wanted to reach through the screen and slap him, really. On the other hand, considering his reaction after Frigga is killed, I think it might have been Loki mostly saying it in a moment of anger, really, mostly over the whole Well Done Son Guy thing that drove him on to this in the first place. Seriously, if he hadn't wanted to somehow make Odin proud (never mind that Odin loved him deeply) as well as his shock over being a Jotun (the very enemy of the Asgardians. I think someone on TV Tropes said it best when they said it was like a child finding out that he was the boogeyman). It definitely doesn't excuse his actions, but I think it makes his character all the more tragic and all the more compelling. He doesn't think that what he's doing is evil. He thinks that he's trying to do the right thing, to make his adoptive parents proud (hell, from what I can gather, he kills his -- apparently very deserving of his fate -- birth father just to make Odin proud of him), and, from his dialogue about the events of The Avengers, because Earth needs someone to be their leader, and who would do so if not him? And when Frigga's killed by Malekith, he actually all but breaks everything in his jail cell in a rage. Not to mention his fight with Thor on the way to the realm of the Dark Elves while Jane is still unconscious, with him basically accusing Thor of letting her die -- also known as one of those scenes that just broke my heart in the theater. Thor's anger, Loki's anger, and a lot more. I'll be getting to Frigga in a bit, though.
I think to top it off, Loki's a very interesting character. He's tragic, but he's not a victim; he's still very much capable of evil (see also him taking the throne from Odin at the end, after what I can only infer was Odin's murder at Loki's hands, and the events of New York, and a heck of a lot more) and yet, if the matter of the Dark Realm is any indication, he's very much capable of good (after all, he did try and help Thor, even sacrificing himself to do so. Though he obviously got better and turned back to his old villain-y self). That and really, when he's not being an asshole (to say the least; there were definitely times in the movie where I just wanted to reach out and slap him), he can be very funny, such as his comments on Thor's piloting skills (which are really just a cover for Thor's actual plan) -- "Good job, Thor! You just decapitated your grandfather!" after Thor...well, accidentally decapitates a statue of his grandfather, Bor. Also, him using his shapeshifting abilities to his advantage while they're breaking out -- the whole breakout scene was also freaking awesome, really -- and changing into Captain America briefly just to annoy the hell out of Thor.
So yeah. I like Loki. He's a really interesting character. He's not a one-dimensional villain who's there just for the sake of being evil -- he has his reasons, he has elements of pathos without really diminishing how manipulative and threatening he really is, he has his redeeming qualities and his villainous qualities in equal measure...he's definitely a character that people can take notes from when writing villains, because really, where's the appeal in writing a villain who's just there for the sake of being evil? At least, unless it's in a comedy or a horror film, I don't see the appeal. I mean, just look at villains like Darth Vader or the Master. Look at Khan Noonien Singh. Just to name three.
Speaking of villains, Malekith was pretty good too. I know I already loved Christopher Eccleston from his work in Doctor Who (anyone who hasn't seen his work in Doctor Who, go and watch it, as it is just fantastic), and he really shone here. I know that the opening scene, for example, detailing the whole war between the Dark Elves and the Asgardians -- also known as probably one of the best prologue scenes since Fellowship of the Ring. It definitely uses that sort of the same technique, showing what you need to know, making the narration compelling, etc. And Eccleston -- I think the best way to describe Christopher Eccleston is that he has a sort of natural presence; when he starts talking, you start listening. I know the scenes with his henchmen, for example, were very chilling. Any scene of him planning and plotting, really. Not to mention when he kills Frigga -- I definitely knew that it was coming (thanks to spoilers), but I definitely didn't know that it was going to be that brutal. And Frigga -- the way she went out was just fantastic. Just basically kicking the living shit out of Malekith when he goes after Jane, and not to mention setting up a whole illusion of Jane just to throw him out. And refusing to tell him where the Aether was. Honestly? That's how you do a Dying Moment of Awesome, really. Also really heartwrenching, what with Thor's reaction, and Loki's, as I mentioned above, and Odin's -- because he and Frigga, from what I can gather, were definitely Happily Married, and not just that, but Frigga was probably one of his biggest protectors. As she basically puts it, he wouldn't have made it that far if not for her. I know that her funeral as well was just heartwrenching -- the music definitely didn't help. Also, setting Frigga's funeral boat on fire, and setting the rest of the boats on fire as well. And Odin providing a sort of way, I suppose, for Frigga's spirit to reach the afterlife. I think that Frigga's death and her funeral was definitely one of the most well-done bits of the film, just because of how heartwrenching, and yet, with Frigga going out fighting, awesome, bits of the film. Because Frigga died making sure that Jane was safe. That...she's definitely one of the bravest characters in fiction I've ever known. Other moments were the interactions between Thor and Loki, what with Loki dying (although it didn't stick) and Thor begging him to stay with him (I think what made it hurt even more for me was just that thought -- before the ending scene, obviously -- "Thor's going to be the only one who ever knew what Loki did, isn't he?") and earlier, what was previously sort of played for laughs (emphasis on the "sort of". The line about Thor basically giving up on his brother was definitely played for drama, and definitely hurt, because I can only imagine the pain that it caused for the both of them -- Loki knowing that he was given up on, and Thor because he didn't want to give up on Loki. Because he cared about him once. And honestly, I think he still does. But the other bits, with the "betray him/me and you're dead", complete with Loki's snarky replies, were definitely played for laughs) sort of becoming poignant with Thor saying that he wished that he could trust Loki. Poor Thor. And poor Loki, for that matter. I think at the end of the day, I just want to hug them both.
Even Malekith, I think, got a bit of a poignant moment -- two, actually. One is something that I don't think anyone really mentioned, when he's standing in the Dark Elf realm, and he sort of pinches soil between his fingers and bemoans what happened, and what the Asgardians did (it just seemed, at least from the way Christopher Eccleston was playing it, almost like he felt like his home and his way of life had just been ripped from him. Barely excuses what he did -- and as I'm going to discuss more, there could be a little more -- but it was definitely a lovely, if short, moment). The second was when he expressed a moment of compassion and concern towards Algrim, who becomes Kurse later -- a sort of reminder that he's going to basically be damned to hell, even while he's injecting the necessary darkness into him. Sort of two brief moments of HIdden Depths from Malekith -- I think at least in the first one, it's sort of him missing what used to be his home, in a sort of twisted way, at least from the way that Christopher Eccleston played it. It's almost as if, for a moment, he's not just a complete and utter bastard (a bastard who was willing to sacrifice his own troops as well, with a heavy dose of Never My Fault considering he blames Asgard for what happened. *Shudders*). And for the second one, there's definitely something about Algrim and Malekith's dynamic as the Dragon and the Big Bad that's oddly lovely, considering that really, not many works of fiction really have a relationship between the Big Bad and his Dragon like that, where there's a sort of trust and devotion between them, because Algrim's continually protective of Malekith, watching over him, telling him that he should rest after he's wounded at Asgard, etc. It's definitely something that I really like about the Dark Elves in this film; their sort of undying loyalty and devotion to one another. They're destructive Omnicidal Maniacs, and yet no matter what happens, they're sticking this one out to the end. There's something about that, I think, that's a good thing to have with a villain, or series of villains -- give them some degree of redeeming qualities, even if, for example, it's just a case of your villain liking the opera.
In general, really, the characters were really goddamn good. I know, for example, the matter of Eric Selvig (a character that I can't say that I'm entirely familiar with. I'm certain that once I get to watching the first Thor film in full, I'll understand him better. That and possibly rewatching The Avengers) -- he was just fantastic. I know, for example, his scenes with him going about without his pants (and Thor's confusion) because it helps him think, as well as the matter of earlier, when he meets up with Jane and company and says, "How did you find me?" and their replies, "We saw you naked on TV!" And there was something about the TV report about him streaking that was funnier than it should have been, because it kind of reminded me of something that would show up on Nash's WTFIWWY Live (basically, for those who don't watch/haven't been inundated with my WTFIWWY posts in the past, one of many recurring themes on the show is the matter of people running around naked in public. Don't ask why). That and there was the whole scene with him explaining the matter of dark matter and the separate worlds to a really bored audience, demonstrating with two shoes and later, two pencils. And when he explains it to them, one of them (played apparently, according to TV Tropes, by Stan Lee himself) just asks if he can have his shoe back. That was one of those things that made me start laughing in the theater. That and there was the matter of the birds flying around -- also really honestly creepy as shit, when it wasn't prompting my brain to make a joke about Hitchcock's The Birds. -- and Selvig saying that it's comforting to realize that the world is crazier than you are. (Also kind of sad, in a way, poor guy) And yet at the same time, his research definitely proves invaluable in terms of defeating Malekith. I think that was one of my favorite parts of the film, just everyone banding together to save the world. Not to mention of course the Loki bits -- including a really awesome moment when he makes it look like he's going to join Malekith's side. I know in the theater, I was just really pissed off at first, and then I realized that Loki was just setting Malekith's side up just to get the shit kicked out of them. Him killing Kurse (and the subsequent "See you in hell" while he's lying there dying) was also awesome. Yeah, Loki? Your BAMF status is definitely deserved. Honestly, Loki in general was just badass, whether it was his Enemy Mine with Thor and company, or his bit at the end where it's revealed that he took the throne for himself. Also, the matter of Darcy -- Darcy was just awesome, really. I know that her interrupting Jane's date near the beginning was really funny, and interrupting Jane and Thor while they're kissing, were definitely two of my favorite scenes with her. Others included accidentally dropping the car keys into one of the weak points that connect Earth and the world of the Dark Elves while sort of experimenting with dropping objects, and helping out during the battle (also crossing into funny when Jane, thanks to sort of...the weak points connecting the Earth and the Dark World sort of making things disappear and reappear in other places *, runs across her and Ian kissing at one point). Jane was awesome too -- stuff like her slapping Loki ("That was for New York!" indeed), and her trying to rescue Thor when the Dark Elf ship starts collapsing, and her just doing her science-y stuff, were definitely some of the scenes that really made me like her an awful lot. Sif too -- I know things like her kicking ass in the beginning of the movie, all while exchanging some banter with Thor (her saying "I had everything under control!" and then Thor saying, "Is that why everything's on fire?" was definitely very funny. And the battle in general, including Thor taking down that stone megalith -- who I swear to God looks almost like a cross between the troll from Fellowship of the Ring and Azog from The Hobbit -- and the opposing troops promptly surrendering...that was really awesome), as well as rescuing Jane from where she was imprisoned, was really freaking awesome. Not to mention Thor himself -- I know his interactions with Loki were very touching, as well as his relationship with Jane in this film (it's just...adorable, really. Yes, I definitely ship them), and his interactions with people like Dr. Selvig, Ian, Heimdall (who was also awesome, BTW. He's become one of my favorites as well), Odin (I know, for example, Odin saying that he's proud of him was definitely a lovely moment considering...well, the events of the previous Thor film), etc. were awesome. Also, him managing to go into the Aether to try and defeat Malekith personally was just fucking awesome. I know Odin was another character that I really liked -- I know that others will probably disagree with me on this, but I really liked Odin. I think Anthony Hopkins did a really good job playing him as this relatively reasonable, if strict (see also his initial reaction to Jane) ruler figure. And Anthony Hopkins is a great actor -- I know that his reaction when he learns about Frigga being in danger (also known as the prelude to nearly crying at Frigga's death), as well as his whole conversation with Thor when Thor is thinking about taking Jane away from Asgard -- I know that his line about fighting the Dark Elves to the last Asgardian was chilling, as well as when Thor calls him out on it ("What makes you different from Malekith", basically. **) and his reply, "The difference is that I win." That was definitely one scene that gave me chills, and made me worry about Odin possibly going over the edge. I also really liked Ian; he was really cute, funny (such as him trying to bluff his way out by saying he's Selvig's son to help Thor when he and Darcy are going to find Thor and Jane) and badass (such as when he hurls a fucking car at Malekith's minions to protect Darcy). So yeah, the characters in this were great. They really were. Which I think is really important, because...well, plot's all well and good (it's great, really), but it's definitely important that we have characters we care about.
Not to mention the climax itself. Holy shit -- it was the perfect blend of nightmarish (I know the whole scene with Malekith's ships cutting through the Earth as they invaded was enough to give me chills), awesome (basically, just about everything that happened, what with Ian throwing that car, Selvig, Jane and Darcy working together to take down Malekith) and even funny (the whole bit with Ian and Darcy, Thor having to take the metro at one point to get back to Jane and the others) -- it was just a fantastic climax. And, of course, the Wham Shot at the end when we learn that Loki's taken the throne from Odin. (I just hope that Odin isn't dead. I think I said to Mom at one point that maybe Loki had Odin stashed in a cupboard somewhere -- I just hope that's the case and Thor and co. break him out and they kick Loki's ass together) I think it's all the more effective considering that up until then it was all nice and heartwarming and stuff like that with Thor going to Asgard to work things out with his father (especially considering that he'd committed treason against him, albeit for good reasons) and then as Thor leaves -- boom, Wham Shot. Also a Moment of Awesome and Nightmare Fuel. The movie was generally really good with the Nightmare Fuel (Jane getting infected with the Aether, for example, Malekith absorbing the Aether, Malekith beating Thor up and demanding that he look into his eyes during Loki and Thor's Batman Gambit against him -- yeah, Batman Gambit, but still terrifying -- Odin going off the deep end for a bit, Algrim becoming Kurse, Malekith's soldiers, etc.) and that was definitely no exception. I think it's probably one of the most awesome and terrifying twist endings I've ever seen.
Not to mention the ending credits scene with the Collector -- I can't say that I'm familiar with the character (I haven't read the comics that have him, note to self, do so), but the whole scene with him was really cool, and really mysterious. I'm really interested in seeing where it's going, really, assuming we see the Collector again (which I think we will. Marvel's not one for just leaving things hanging). Honestly, it was an excellent movie. Seriously.
* Which makes for an interesting climax, to say the least.
** Although I will say that it's kind of a false equivalency because Odin wasn't hell-bent on destroying everything. Calling him out on a Captain Ahab moment is all well and good, Thor, but comparing him to Malekith is pretty drastic. I'm all for Not So Different and What The Hell Hero (and Odin was definitely scary there), but that bit kind of bugged me.
So overall? Go see it. Seriously. It's fucking awesome.