This week, Pete Wright and Matthew Fox arrive at what can only be described as the cinematic equivalent of running a marathon through molasses. These five minutes of Thor: The Dark World are pure visual noise — a chaotic swirl of collapsing realms, bad physics, and the creeping realization that even the pixels have given up.
Pete does his best to stay upbeat, comparing the mayhem to the elegant design of Portal — that small, perfect video game that understands tone, pacing, and humor better than most superhero blockbusters. The contrast is almost cruel. Portal rewards curiosity and intelligence; The Dark World punishes both.
Still, amid the digital debris, there are gems worth rescuing. Darcy Lewis continues to be the film’s comic MVP, turning a near-kiss into a perfectly executed power move, and there’s the delightfully British absurdity of Thor being told to “take the train three stops to Greenwich” — because even gods must obey the Transport for London timetable.
By the end, both hosts admit defeat. The spectacle has outpaced the story, the tone has imploded, and the only thing still holding the Nine Realms together is Kat Dennings’ comic timing. It’s equal parts rant and rescue mission — and maybe the most entertaining case study in Marvel fatigue you’ll hear all week.
If you want to hear these conversations unfold in real-time, join the Marvel Movie Minute community at trustory.fm/join, where members get early access, invitations to live stream recordings, and other bonus content.
Film Sundries
---
Learn more about supporting this podcast by becoming a member. It's just $5/month or $55/year. Visit our website to learn more.
