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| Courtesy of Marvel |
Benedict Cumberbatch plays Dr. Stephen Strange, a gifted neurosurgeon whose hands are severely damaged in a car accident. When modern medicine doesn’t provide a satisfactory answer to his plight, Strange seeks healing in the world of mysticism and spirituality. A shadowy organization, headed by the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) and her associate Baron Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), takes him under its wing, teaching him the secrets of spells and alternate dimensions.
However, if Strange is going to master these new skills, he must first learn to put his ego aside and focus on a cause greater than himself. But he needs to figure it out fast; if not, rogue sorcerer Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) and inter-dimensional overlord Dormammu will destroy the world.
I’m aware that the previous paragraph sounds like a bunch of nonsensical mumbo-jumbo, but Doctor Strange pulls it off in tense, creative fashion. Even though there’s a ton of world building and characters standing around explaining things, the screenplay makes the dialogue and concepts easy to understand. What could’ve been a boring slog through a story whose basics we’ve seen a million times before is instead a visually dazzling and surprisingly funny introduction to the mystical side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The movie sums it up pretty well: the Avengers take care of the physical dangers threatening Earth, while this intriguing organization is tasked with protecting our world from multidimensional beings and other metaphysical hazards. Or, if you wanted to be slightly dismissive: Doctor Strange is Iron Man with magic instead of technology.
A movie like this should be annoying and repetitive, but Derrickson distracts viewers from the familiar plot with some absolutely jaw-dropping visuals. Because characters frequently visit mirror worlds and alternate dimensions, there are staggering sequences where entire cities fold in on themselves, characters fall through never-ending skies and run up the sides of buildings, and we get a glimpse of trippy worlds that look like ’70s black-light paintings. I hardly ever recommend seeing a movie in 3D, but spending the extra money is worth it for this one.
From a performance standpoint, the movie is packed with ringers. Cumberbatch is fun in the lead role, which allows him to showcase a dry humor that we don’t see enough. He also handles the physical sequences with surprising dexterity. I never really thought of the actor as an action hero before, but he sells it here. The flick is also a persuasive contract negotiation technique for Marvel. The studio is letting Robert Downey Jr. know that Cumberbatch is a lot cheaper, and they can plug Doctor Strange into the Avengers without missing a beat.
Swinton and Ejiofor are, as always, terrific and Mikkelsen (best known as the newest incarnation of Hannibal Lecter) is entertaining as the droll, surprisingly low-key villain. The only actress who seems to get short shrift is Rachel McAdams, who plays Strange’s colleague and ex-girlfriend. She definitely holds her own, but I wish the movie gave her more to do.
Regardless, Doctor Strange looks like the beginning of yet another successful franchise for Marvel. If the movie’s end credits tag is any indication, viewers will soon get a chance to see how the character stands up against more familiar heroes. I can’t wait.
Doctor Strange is rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action throughout, and an intense crash sequence.
Grade: B+
A movie like this should be annoying and repetitive, but Derrickson distracts viewers from the familiar plot with some absolutely jaw-dropping visuals. Because characters frequently visit mirror worlds and alternate dimensions, there are staggering sequences where entire cities fold in on themselves, characters fall through never-ending skies and run up the sides of buildings, and we get a glimpse of trippy worlds that look like ’70s black-light paintings. I hardly ever recommend seeing a movie in 3D, but spending the extra money is worth it for this one.
From a performance standpoint, the movie is packed with ringers. Cumberbatch is fun in the lead role, which allows him to showcase a dry humor that we don’t see enough. He also handles the physical sequences with surprising dexterity. I never really thought of the actor as an action hero before, but he sells it here. The flick is also a persuasive contract negotiation technique for Marvel. The studio is letting Robert Downey Jr. know that Cumberbatch is a lot cheaper, and they can plug Doctor Strange into the Avengers without missing a beat.
Swinton and Ejiofor are, as always, terrific and Mikkelsen (best known as the newest incarnation of Hannibal Lecter) is entertaining as the droll, surprisingly low-key villain. The only actress who seems to get short shrift is Rachel McAdams, who plays Strange’s colleague and ex-girlfriend. She definitely holds her own, but I wish the movie gave her more to do.
Regardless, Doctor Strange looks like the beginning of yet another successful franchise for Marvel. If the movie’s end credits tag is any indication, viewers will soon get a chance to see how the character stands up against more familiar heroes. I can’t wait.
Doctor Strange is rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action throughout, and an intense crash sequence.
Grade: B+
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