[The] only reason Thor: The Dark World exists is to start putting in place the building blocks leading to both Guardians of the Galaxy and 2015’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron. It’s the teaser leading to the epic conclusion, little things like character development and honest human emotions unimportant just as long as the seeds for coming chapters are cunningly sown.

It’s great, filled with superb set pieces and moments, not the least of which is a dynamic attack on the Stark mansion that had the majority of the preview audience sitting on the edge of their seats holding their breath, and I can’t say I was ever bored by anything that was going on. At the same time, there is an almost television-like efficiency that can grow stale, nothing ever popping out or calling attention to itself in a way I could ever say was entirely memorable.

All I can say is that I hope Whedon does return to the helm, because after this movie the thought of The Avengers assembling without his assertively assured guidance is something I have difficulty pondering.

Captain America: The First Avenger is an engaging sensation I didn’t want to end, and when the Avengers do assemble next year, here’s hoping their initial adventure is half as thrilling a spectacle as this one is.

Marvel’s Thor may be silly, but that doesn’t make it any less entertaining.

Like the original Iron Man 2 is a movie I don’t particularly mind but don’t exactly love, either, and if I didn’t say that in so many words in regards to the first film not doing so as far as this sequel goes isn’t a mistake I plan on making twice.

This new Hulk might have its moments and the character might still have his angry superpowers, but that doesn’t make the film anything close to incredible.

Not to say that this inaugural adventure of Iron Man soars very high, but it does get off the ground, and as far as first chapters in what is sure to be an ongoing story is concerned, at least for right now that’s going to have to be enough.