DOCTOR STRANGE review by Mark Walters – Marvel’s weird hero works magic on the big screen

DOCTOR STRANGE review by Mark Walters – Marvel’s weird hero works magic on the big screen
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As Marvel Studios seems to have endless success with their cinematic releases, it’s safe to wonder when they would have a miss. Some thought GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY would be it (boy were they wrong), and then it was assumed ANT-MAN might flop (which it didn’t). But this weekend sees the release of one of their weirdest and most ‘out there’ characters. DOCTOR STRANGE explores the “magic” realms of the Marvel Universe. Gone are the muscular spandex superheroes, this is about chakras and spells, something previously only hinted at with the Scarlet Witch character in AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON and CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR. Even the Doctor Strange comics are pretty trippy in their presentation, but perhaps that’s exactly what audiences need to curb the potential of comic book movie fatigue.

The film opens with a sacred temple being attacked by Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), who tears pages containing dark spells from a secret book in the library of The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). Kaecilius and his goons fight the bald master and escape, but not before we’re treated to some rather mind-bending action… a mild taste of what’s to come. We then meet Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), a brilliant yet cocky neurosurgeon who works alongside his former flame Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams), and taunts his medical rival Dr. Nicodemus West (Michael Stuhlbarg). On his way to a speaking engagement, Strange has a horrible car accident and nearly dies. He wakes up in his own hospital to find his masterful hands butchered with metal and wires, leading to months of painful physical therapy and intense frustration. Not satisfied with modern medical techniques and running out of money, he seeks alternative treatment, which eventually leads him to Kathmandu. There he meets Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who introduces him to The Ancient One. They tell the Doctor he can heal himself if he believes in magic and metaphysical thought, and they show him just how it can be done. This leads to Strange becoming their enthusiastic student, and excelling at an astounding rate. As he becomes a master of the mystic arts, he learns of Kaecilius’ dirty deeds, and finds himself unwittingly pitted against the evil sorcerer… even if he’s not quite ready for battle.

The biggest complaints likely to come out of audiences who see DOCTOR STRANGE will stem from the slow and methodical build director Scott Derrickson implements in the first half of the film. Not unlike Christopher Nolan’s BATMAN BEGINS, this movie doesn’t rush through the hero learning how to fight and hone his skills before jumping into battle. To me, with a character like this, you really need that slow build to define how he takes on his ultimate persona. Remember folks, this is a mystical sorcerer, not a flashy costumed superhero. Cumberbatch finds a nice balance playing Strange as a cocky surgeon who isn’t afraid to admit when he’s frustrated by the unknown. He’s not necessarily a likable guy, but not so overconfident that we can’t relate to him. Imagine a less-plucky Tony Stark, with a more human side than we’re used to seeing in this kind of film. The British actor also does a good job selling his forced American accent here, never slipping up and delivering an awkward sentence as many British performers sometimes do in movies like this. What I liked most about the character is that it feels like a role that’s given room to grow, as in we don’t get the sense we’ve seen all there is to this fella.

The supporting roles are a mixed bag of greatness and one unfortunate misfire. Chiwetel Ejiofor works well as Mordo, a character we never find out much about (perhaps for good reason), but one that serves as a more grounded confidant for our hero. Tilda Swinton is pretty great as The Ancient One, showing a more bad-ass side to the respected actress – there’s a great almost otherworldly quality to her performance here. Benedict Wong is particularly fun as “Wong”, the guardian of The Ancient One’s spell books and library, and a man Strange wants so desperately to make laugh. Mads Mikkelsen does a fine job as the menacing Kaecilius, a forboding nemesis that feels like a true threat to our characters, even if he’s working for a much bigger presence. The only big disappointment comes with Rachel McAdams, who is fine as an actress but as a character seems lost and without much purpose in the story. She’s a former love interest for Strange, who clearly cares about him more than he does her, but the character just doesn’t have much to do here, and in the end seems pretty pointless to the plot. I think I was let down mostly because it feels like they’re setting her up for a purpose that never materializes in the end. Michael Stuhlbarg also felt a little underwritten as Strange’s medical competitor, like there needed to be a little more wrap up with his character.

The biggest selling point to DOCTOR STRANGE exists within the magical action sequences, featuring building-bending kaleidoscope effects that really shine in IMAX 3D. There’s a little ambiguity in some sequences as to whether or not the normal folks in the scene are supposed to be seeing what we’re seeing, but the trippy shots of these sorcerers battling one another are rather incredible. There’s more than a few moments that visually blew me away, which these days is pretty surprising in a comic book movie. The score by the always-solid Michael Giacchino is one of the better and more experimental soundtracks to be featured in a Marvel film, and is a welcome treat. The big finale is a little anti-climactic though VERY comic book-esque, perhaps out of necessity so as not to overdo the character or his new-found abilities just yet. Considering the next time we’ll see Strange is likely in THE AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR, we’re likely in for some rather cosmic and crazy battles, so this film’s big finish had to be a bit more controlled and quick. In the end I found myself leaving the production rather impressed and with the feeling I had seen something refreshing and inventive… not just another superhero flick. It’s actually one of the better origin films to come from Marvel Studios, and screenwriters Jon Spaihts, Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill did a great job adapting the rather complex Marvel character. These days when watching a comic book movie, I find myself asking the important question of whether or not I want to see more of this hero, and in this case I absolutely do. As with most Marvel fare, make sure to stay through the credits for not one but two stinger scenes, both setting up important future events.

DOCTOR STRANGE opens November 4, 2016

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About the Author

Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff.