Review – Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange marks the 14th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it is definitely the weirdest and most ambitious Marvel film to date. Though it bares similarities to other Marvel films and hits all the standard themes and tropes of all their intro films, this is a film that pushes the studio’s boundaries both cinematically and narratively.
Doctor Strange has, essentially, the same premise as the original Iron Man (2008). An arrogant doctor (Benedict Cumberbatch), known for his steady hands, gets into a car accident damaging those perfect hands. Unable to work, he goes on a mysterious journey where he encounters The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), who teaches him inter-dimensional powers that, in turn, help him save the universe.
Like every Marvel movie, the film is perfectly cast. Cumberbatch is terrific as the arrogant doctor and gives us flashes of his comedic genius and his action chops, a side I haven’t really seen from him. I can’t wait to see him banter-off with Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Pratt. Chewitel Ejifor adds to his growing resume as fellow wizard, Mordor. Mads Mikkelsen is the best performance in the film as the main villain, Kaecilius. And even though their is the whole white-washing controversy surrounded around her casting, Tilda Swinton crushes it as The Ancient One.
Much like all the Marvel movies, the villain is under-developed and wastes the talent of it’s actor. Because as I said, Mikkelsen is the best performance in the movie. But, what this movie does that most Marvel movies don’t, is that it gives the actors opportunities to act and show off their talent. Their are a number of a scenes of long monologues between the characters that are expertly delivered, particularly the one Swinton has towards the end of the film. They are powerful scenes that really highlight the talent of the cast.
This is Marvel’s best film visually and weirdest film narratively. It ends up being like The Matrix (1999) and Inception (2010) had a baby that was adopted by Marvel. The movie looks at alternate universes and tackles issues about releasing inner powers and doing the impossible when you think you can’t. And when Strange does the impossible, it is mind-blowing. Whether it’s the literal out-of-body spirit fight Strange has with one of Kaecilius’s henchmen, or the epic finale in which New York City is flipped, turned, twisted, and split, these are some of the wildest, most inventive scenes in any Marvel movie. These scenes alone are worth the price of admission, especially with the spectacular use of 3D.
Doctor Strange makes Marvel two for two in 2016, following Captain America: Civil War. It may hit the same tropes and themes of every other Marvel intro movie, but this pushes Marvel to another level in terms of visuals and story. This is a fun, trippy, wildly entertaining film and another excellent film for the MCU.
MY RATING – 3.5/4
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