Thor: The Dark World

The one superpower that all of the Avengers characters share is the ability to generate big money at the box office.

The latest comic-book adaptation to test that theory is Thor: The Dark World, a big-budget sequel likely to prove that the cinematic marketplace hasn’t become oversaturated with superhero movies just yet.

However, this effort feels more like a retread than a fresh enterprise, with an emphasis more on spectacle than story or character depth.

The story ties into a plot thread from The Avengers, opening with Thor on his home planet of Asgard, preparing to take over the throne from his ailing father, King Odin (Anthony Hopkins). Meanwhile, Odin has punished Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Thor’s duplicitous brother, for his evil deeds by banishing him to a dungeon.

Later, Thor travels to Earth through a series of convoluted circumstances to reunite with love interest Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), bringing her back to Asgard. However, a new threat looms in the form of the Dark Elves, a powerful race of evildoers intent on taking over the kingdom.

The decision is made to free Loki from prison and form a reluctant partnership against the Dark Elves that becomes a fight both for Thor’s homeland and his family legacy.

The screenplay is credited to three writers, none of which worked on the first installment, and the story feels like an inferior attempt to cash in on the franchise trend. The plot serves mostly as a bridge between the action set pieces, although there is some amusing banter between Thor and Loki leading up to the final showdown, including a couple of clever inside jokes.

Hemsworth still fits in the costume, which is the main requirement to reprise the role, since Thor is a character more about brute strength than brains or personality.

Director Alan Taylor, a television veteran whose credits include several episodes of “The Sopranos” and “Game of Thrones,” stages a handful of elaborate battle sequences that include competent swordplay and special effects (in 3D, of course). And yes, Thor’s giant mallet is put to good use, especially in the obligatory climax featuring mass destruction.

This sequel feels more geared toward fans of the first film or Avengers completists. Either way, that guarantees a mammoth audience, assuring the series will continue.

Rated PG-13, 112 minutes.