Halfback for the Broncos, opening batsman for Australia, professional cat scratcher – they were all possible. The ultimate male fantasy though, is surely a crime fighting superhero. The muscles, triumphing over evil, capes… It doesn’t get better, though unfortunately, most likely impossible. Luckily for 2013’s generation of young males, we can live out these fantasies on the big screen with a new superhero movie seemingly premiering every other week.

Thor: The Dark World follows the adventures of easily the most ridiculous Avenger, Chris Hemsworth. After helping defeat his adopted brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) in New York a few billion box office dollars ago, the Norse God Thor has been “peacekeeping” in the true colonial sense of the word around the other realms. But he still misses Jane (Natalie Portman) who is stuck on Earth being a scientist. Inevitably they’re thrown back into each other’s arms when an ancient villain, Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) returns to wipe out Asgard and plunge the entire universe into darkness. When things start hitting close to home, Thor has to resort to desperate measures if he is to save the world or as he calls them, the nine realms.

The first Thor movie was a little bland for my liking, but the character really benefited from The Avengers success, which I think helped legitimised his outlandishness (lightning hammer, yellow beard, Chris Hemsworth) by placing him in a team with regular old super soldier Captain America and annoying genius Iron Man. The Shakespeare in space can get a little much but Hemsworth sells every ridiculous line along with his dad Odin (Anthony Hopkins), and as noted in most media about the films, it’s the brotherly chemistry with Loki that is the real star of the movie. Loki apparently isn’t part of the next Avengers movie, but hopefully that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the character forever. It’s a shame Natalie Portman isn’t given much to do, and that Thor’s buddies on Asgard are also short-changed.

Director Alan Taylor (who interestingly directed the first episode of Mad Men. Keep that little tidbit in handy for trivia nights) keeps the film rollicking along at a nice pace, though it drags a little in the middle. There’s plenty of humour, especially with Kat Denning’s comic relief science intern, which covers up for any other flaws. However I found myself questioning if the comedy sometimes undercuts the drama. The villain doesn’t have much depth and as my girlfriend commented, after three or four scenes of the Ninth Doctor being menacing and alien: “we get it, you’re evil already.” She seemed okay with Chris Hemsworth’s silly accent though, so can we really trust her?

One of the better superhero movies you’ll see. Get past the ridiculousness and you’ll have a good time. I actually have a crush on Chris Hemsworth. 4/5.