2. It's Quite Literally A "Game of Thrones"
Malekith the Accursed is a hard-done-by descendent of a once powerful race who has made his way back from the desolate yonder to claim the throne he thinks he deserves. That sort of makes him an older, uglier Daenerys Targeryan. Everyone in the Nine Realms wants power, except the noble guy being offered it, while the decrepit, ineffectual old fool who actually has the power will lose it to his scheming, illegitimate son. Loki is a less punchable Joffrey, while Thor is one poor decision and one sword to the neck away from having his name changed to Eddard. They even have the same haircut! Early scenes suggest an undercurrent of political unease (Odin is slowly losing the plot) and leadership anxiety. Thor's reluctance to rule echoes Ned Stark's early unwillingness to accept the role as Hand of the King in Thrones season one. While such things take a backseat once Malekith turns up to unleash hell, certain threads remain; Odin' ill-judgement when hastily going into battle, endangering Asgard, Thor and Loki's treason, Jane's illegal presence on Asgard. There's a lot more going on here than 'Aliens invade unsuspecting Earth city,' and The Dark World, so fresh off the back of Avengers Assemble and Iron Man 3, should be applauded for trying something new.