Doctor Strange is perhaps Marvel Studios' strangest endeavor yet. Marvel Studios has sustained this boom of the comic book movie genre by continually exploring new avenues. Sure, they may not have had a truly memorable villain since Loki but Marvel should be commended for it's ability to take obscure comic book heroes and make them part of the mainstream consciousness. Now, it's time for the Sorcerer Supreme to enter the fold and bring magic into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I've been quite excited for Doctor Strange since it's announcement and subsequently my anticipation has grown with each new trailer, and the special IMAX event I attended a few weeks ago that showcased fifteen minutes of footage from the film only amplified my excitement a thousandfold, so without further ado it's time to learn what I thought of the Sorcerer Supreme's first outing after two viewings.
'Doctor Strange' Review
Nominated For: Best Visual Effects.
In Doctor Strange an arrogant noteworthy neurosurgeon, Stephen Strange, finds himself in shambles after a horrific car accident destroys the nerve endings in his hands. Strange exhausts all his resources to find a cure and it's only when he's on his last leg that he hears tale of Kamar Taj, the gathering place for the masters of the mystic arts. Naturally, Strange ventures there and his life is changed forever once he's introduced to another plane of existence and means to manipulate matter through magic. He then must train to help defend the multiverse from otherworldly threats that seek to destroy not only our world, but the multiverse at large.
Doctor Strange is the fourteenth feature film to join the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe and despite being the fourteenth film in the franchise it manages to break new ground by exploring the supernatural side of the MCU.
Doctor Strange only stands to benefit from being a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, seeing as the groundwork for the Sorcerer Supreme's debut was lain far earlier than many would expect thanks to a Stephen Strange name-drop in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, the vibrant color palette and out of this world visuals from Guardians of the Galaxy, and the small trip into the Quantum Realm in Ant-Man. Even though Doctor Strange is a part of the MCU, it manages to feel like it's own standalone corner of the universe. Sure, they pepper in a few references pointing towards the Avengers but the references are done in such a way that you understand why these sorcerers haven't interacted with the greater Marvel universe to this point.
Scott Derrickson takes up the position of director and with his foresight manages to effectively bring Doctor Strange into the MCU. Derrickson does an excellent job translating Steve Ditko's psychedelic renderings to the big screen with next level visual effects that blew my mind, thanks to the team of visual effects artists, and the sound design and production design further the authenticity of these spells and alterations to reality. Magic in Doctor Strange is distinct from things you would find in Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings and truly unlike any cinematic magic I've seen.
The action sequences Derrickson and his crew employ are some of the most visually inventive action sequences Marvel has executed to date, always daring to go places no person would ever think of as matter and reality itself are shaped to conform to the will of the inhabitants of Kamar Taj and the other magicians of the MCU. The cinematography is also quite eye-catching as it dives straight into these kaleidoscopic foldings of reality, the combination of which easily making Doctor Strange Marvel's boldest visual palette yet. I've seen the film once in 2D and once in IMAX 3D and must say that this is a case where I feel 3D makes a significant difference in terms of viewing experience and it's the best way to experience these spellbinding visuals.
With that being said, the story arcs in the screenplay penned by Derrickson, Jon Spaihts, and C. Robert Cargill evoke a lot of Marvel's previous origin stories but I think that has more to do with the similarity of the source material. For example, how Stephen Strange starts out extremely arrogant but becomes a hero through tragedy like Tony Stark, the means to the end are different but the general arc is similar. This doesn't bother me, considering that the plot specifics are remarkably different but some viewers may find it a tad annoying.
People also may draw comparisons to Inception and Batman Begins, but the similarities are vague in that Doctor Strange takes Inception's dreamlike reality folding to a whole other level in the mirror dimension and Bruce Wayne and Stephen Strange seek different training and forms of help. The script admittedly has less humor than typical Marvel faire such as Ant-Man or Guardians of the Galaxy, but when the gags hit they landed with a splash.
The screenplay does a great job of placing focus on characters that deserve it, for example Rachel Palmer as the love interest is a secondary character and her character arc never stepped over Strange's arc, she was given the ideal amount of screen time and attention. I'd say Michael Giacchino's oriental-inspired score is worth noting for bringing a sense of heroism, eastern influence, and further adding to the trip visuals. With a A-list cast, the performances in Doctor Strange are unsurprisingly bar none.
Benedict Cumberbatch is drop dead perfect in the role of Stephen Strange. Cumberbatch played the arrogant prick to a tee and then makes a convincing changed likable hero as the film progresses and I can't wait to see his interaction with the Avengers in Avengers: Infinity War.
People can complain as much as they want about the "whitewashing" or "gender-bending" of the Ancient One but Tilda Swinton makes a grand wise Yoda-like mentor to Strange and the other sorcerers of Kamar Taj.
Chiwetel Ejiofor's Karl Mordo makes a fun companion to Strange and their difference of opinion makes for an interesting peer dynamic. Benedict Wong plays Wong to be a steel-faced librarian of Kamar Taj but despite his serious expression, when placed opposite Cumberbatch allows for some of the film's funniest moments.
Rachel McAdams doesn't have too much to do as Christine Palmer but when she's on screen she has a vital role as Strange's support system. Could she have been replaced with any doctor? Yeah, but McAdams' chemistry with Strange is great and she brings a sense of realism to the film as a ER nurse.
Mads Mikkelsen's Kaecilius is admittedly another flat Marvel villain but he at least has a sense of purpose and motive. Mikkelsen in fact elevates the role through his natural gravitas, feeling like a foreboding ominous presence when onscreen, but beyond that is another wasted villain due to lack of development.
In conclusion, I wouldn't say Doctor Strange is Marvel's best or it's worst effort to date but it definitely hinges towards the top of the list as their most ambitious and unique origin story thus far thanks to the mind blowing visual effects, technical prowess, strong and clear direction, compelling characters, superb performances, and a fun bunch of compositions from Giacchino.
In Doctor Strange an arrogant noteworthy neurosurgeon, Stephen Strange, finds himself in shambles after a horrific car accident destroys the nerve endings in his hands. Strange exhausts all his resources to find a cure and it's only when he's on his last leg that he hears tale of Kamar Taj, the gathering place for the masters of the mystic arts. Naturally, Strange ventures there and his life is changed forever once he's introduced to another plane of existence and means to manipulate matter through magic. He then must train to help defend the multiverse from otherworldly threats that seek to destroy not only our world, but the multiverse at large.
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