Doctor Strange
Its
no secret that Marvel is a money making machine. The Marvel Cinematic
Universe has grossed billions of dollars and remains a force every year.
Overall, I think the franchise has been very successful in bringing
comic book heroes to life through origin stories and combining the
heroes for action epics. Marvel's latest installment was introducing the
masses to Doctor Strange. I wasn't very familiar with the character so I
was cautiously optimistic going into this one.
The
films stars Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular role. Benedict is a
great performer and I think he's always remarkable in what he is in.
Doctor Strange is about a arrogant but precisely successful neurosurgeon
who gets in a life changing car crash that messes up hi hands. Strange
searches far and wide for a way to get his hands working again. he
travels to Nepal and is introduced to a fantastically magical world of
sorcery where he can do more with his mind and alter reality, time, and
the world from harnessing the power within.
First
off, the effects in this film are great. Its immensely psychedelic and
extremely graphically busy. The skyline is constantly shifting and
worlds are bending and all of it looks up to par. It was reminiscent of
some of the sequences seen in Inception. The fight scenes in the film
also do not disappoint. Its got what it needs to keep thrill seekers
engaged. Marvel also gathers a very talented cast to add to its never
ending list of A-listers involved in the MCU. Mads Mikkelsen is a brilliant performer, although he's a bit of a shallow villain in this.
The
film has too much going on in concepts. A person's soul? can come out
of their body, there is a giant demon thing that's trying to destroy the
world, there are shortcuts that lead to major cities, buildings can be
moved, there is a mirror reality, a moving cape, fireballs, time can be
put on a loop... its insane how many things happen in this film. Its not
that its hard to follow, its just that the film becomes conceptually
ugly the longer it goes. It doesn't feel like other Marvel films as the
world that is created isn't very interesting and feels bland despite all
the visuals involved.
Cumberbatch
plays a great Doctor Strange. He's an egotistical guy who becomes
humbled and is yet witty and remains flawed. He's a welcome addition to
the Marvel Universe, I assume he will be a part of the next Avengers
film. Its just that this origin film doesn't really stand out as you are
just thrown into the world of sorcery and just have to accept what is
going on. Its an admirable effort but pales in comparison to some of the
other heroes in the MCU. There is still room for improvement and I'm
curious to see where this goes.
6.5/10
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