Marvel basically runs Hollywood at this point. The unprecedented success of the ambitious Avengers project has led to comic book movies becoming the biggest crowd-pleasers in the industry. If nothing else, “Thor: The Dark World” is definitely a fun crowd-pleaser.

The sequel to 2011’s “Thor” follows everyone’s favorite hammer-wielding god as he attempts to stop the bad guy from doing bad things, as usual. The story spans across several planets and there are a few neat twists and turns along the way. There aren’t many huge surprises in store, but it’s well paced, and the conclusion leaves some interesting things hanging for future movies.

The film sticks to the same basic formula that has been so successful in the past few years. At this point, Chris Hemsworth has mastered playing the stoic, square-jawed Thor. He doesn’t have as much charisma as some of the other Marvel heroes, but he gets the job done.

As usual, Tom Hiddleston’s performance as Thor’s stepbrother Loki steals the show. It’s nothing new, but his combination of menace and humor is enjoyable to watch. The character even gets a little bit of development, with some light exploration of his relationship with his mother.

The acting and dialogue are as good as usual, but the visuals in “Thor: The Dark World” are what really stand out. The unique premise allows the filmmakers to take the audience to some fantastical settings that look extremely cool. It’s easily the most visually diverse of the current Marvel movies, and the excellent special effects make it all look natural.

The biggest problem with the movie is the villain. He’s an evil dark elf who, of course, wants to destroy the universe. His character isn’t developed especially well and he’s a little boring. It seems like he’s there just because they needed a villain.

“Thor: The Dark World” is crowd-pleasing and fun. It’s not high art and won’t be in any Oscar discussions, but for fans of Marvel’s current line of comic book films, it’s a must-see. They will enjoy it and obviously they have learned by now to stay after the credits for a little tease.