Doctor Strange
Released 11/4/16
Marvel Studios introduces what they hope is the next household name in their vast universe. They steer their cinematic universe to the realm of the mystical with the release of Doctor Strange. Before 2008, it would have been inconceivable that a fringe character even by some comic fans standards could warrant a big budget feature film. But, since the release of Iron Man, the rise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and blah, blah, blah, here we are. The only question is can Marvel stay on its meteoric path of success? The studio spared no expense with the cast to ensure its success pulling the talents of respected actors like Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, and Mads Mikkelsen. When does the Marvel bullet train stop rolling?
Well, I'm happy to say it won't stop with Strange. Visually stunning, Doctor Strange is helmed by director, Scott Derrickson, who holds a special place in my movie heart. If you've followed this blog, you know how much I love the film Sinister. A modern horror masterpiece, in my opinion, Sinister was directed by Derrickson. I don't know if Derrickson has made the good doctor a household name (he probably will from the box office take so far), but, he has created a mindbending adventure that expands on the idea that Earth is not alone in this fictional universe.
So, who is Doctor Strange? For comic fans (and those who have seen the movie) this is a rehash. For the non-comic inclined, here goes. Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) is a brilliant and condescendingly arrogant neurosurgeon whose livelihood is threatened when a devastating car accident causes severe nerve damage to his hands. He learns of a possible cure for his condition in the far East after alienating the one true friend/lover (McAdams) he has and exhausting all his financial resources to repair the damage.
What he finds is a brand new world of mysticism and other dimensional power that's hard for the scientifically oriented doctor to comprehend in the beginning. All he knows is, he wants to learn more after seeing this power on display. Willingly accepting the tutelage of the Celt master sorcerer, the Ancient One (Swinton), and her followers, including a particularly fierce and rigid true believer named Mordo (Ejiofor), he begins his new training.
Now every super hero story has to have a villain of course. This film's big bad is Kaecilius (Mikkelsen), a former student of the Ancient One who has rejected her pacifistic teachings. He and his followers have willingly fallen under the sway of Dormammu, the all-powerful ruler of the Dark Dimension. Having lost his loved ones, Kaecilius believes the Dark Dimension is the true path because time doesn't exist there. To that end, he makes preparations to bring the Dimension and Dormammu to Earth. Strange, while a quick study, is by no means a master sorcerer at this point and must be more cunning than he ever thought he could be particularly when tragedy strikes someone close to him.
A movie like this is expected to be a special effects extravaganza, and, Doctor Strange doesn't disappoint. It's visually the best movie of the year in my opinion. The laws of physics do not exist with the ever changing landscapes that literally bend and merge with each other.
Speaking as someone who has never read Doctor Strange extensively, I've always thought of him as all about sorcery, time portals, new dimensions, spells, arcane objects, etc. And, that's all pretty much true. However, I never pictured the character as much of a physical hand-to-hand combatant. That's one thing the film expanded upon that I appreciated a great deal. Derrickson has created a type of "magical Kung Fu" that's much different than the Harry Potter-type of wizards slinging spells at each other type of fighting (which is also great). Here, sorcerers are very much adept at a martial art fighting style enhanced by magical shields, weapons, and just about anything pulled out of thin air.. It's wild and visually satisfying.
While it's a well-acted film by all involved (particularly Cumberbatch), my one complaint is that this was an origin story. I might be wrong, but, I believed Marvel had indicated they wouldn't make these types of films any longer. I was kind of hoping Strange would have already been Sorcerer Supreme as the movie starts. In Captain America: The Winter Soldier, he was already a person of interest for Hydra which would indicate he had already made a few waves in the world. It's hard to know where his origin works into the continuity of the MCU. I would have preferred to see an Incredible Hulk type of origin with newspaper clippings or a few flashbacks. Although there was plenty of action in Doctor Strange it would have been nice if they could have gotten right to it without the "getting to know you" portion which comes with all origin movies.
As far as a tie in with the rest of the MCU, Thanos will very likely be on the sorcerer's doorstep in the future as the Eye of Agamoto, an object famous in Doctor Strange lore contains something that will be of great interest to him. Also, in one of two end credit scenes, a certain Thunderer from Asgard stops by Strange's Sanctum as a prelude to his next upcoming film in 2017.
Doctor Strange's visuals and performances make it one of the better superhero offerings of the year. It has the signature humorous moments you've come to expect from Marvel Studios. I mean, who doesn't need a Cloak of Levitation with a mind of its own? While not as funny as Deadpool or as grand as Civil War, Strange's entry into the MCU is a welcome one. More Doctor Strange as soon as possible, please.
The Dark Lord of the Sith says:
***3/4 stars
Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Worth a look. Better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. I'm doing my happy dance!
5 *= Pure eye candy. I have seen the top of the mountain, and it is good
