In today's world of film, we find ourselves with a renaissance of comic book movies that have blurred the lines with genres, ranging from political thrillers to space operas. Doctor Strange is something different: a movie that opens many doors that were closed until today , where we find gates to alternate universes, sorcery and living capes. But more importantly, the film has enough movie magic to satisfy fans and general audiences alike.
Speaking of magic, the way it’s presented in the movie makes it easy to appreciate a maverick approach to the topic. The sorcerers are not casting “easy” spells like throwing fireballs or shooting thunderbolts from the eyes. They are using energy in different, creative ways to bend reality, creating fiery whips or radial ranges. Astral forms also play a big role and embroil elements of comedy. The natural, light humor is definitely the big plus of the movie.
Another great part of the film is the cast, which is surprisingly small in comparison to most “big” movies nowadays. The titular character, Doctor Stephen Strange, brought to life by Benedict Cumberbatch is a very tragic, but also fascinating hero. The struggle he creates but doesn't accept forms a character that's full of pain, embittered to the bone. Strange’s journey to Nepal and beyond to search for a cure for his hands is not only about a weak body, but a broken soul, a trial to deal with his own ego. The test is judged by The Ancient One – the Sorcerer Supreme of the whole universe. Together, they join forces with Mordo (a very promising role for Chiwetel Ejiofor) and the rest of Kamar Taj’s staff to face dark menace brought over by Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) a rogue student of The Ancient One. His motives are very clear, and the villain forces Strange to redfine his vision of the world.
The simple structure of the script fosters intensifying profiles of the characters and doesn’t dodge spectacle, that plays around viewer. The film is colorful, full of ideas, and fantastically designed, and it's hard to not to gape in amazement. The visuals (it is not Inception 2.0) are some of the best ever put on the screen in the history of movie-making, especially in the final act. The only fly in the ointment is that final act, and more specifically, the final fight. Trying to not spoil anything, I will only say this: Kaecilius is not the only enemy in the movie. The hidden villain and his “home” are created far differently than most comic “experts” imagined. During that scene I was thinking for a second about a movie from 2007 about a group of 4 heroes, Silver Surfer and an enormous cloud of gas. But a change is not bad just because it’s changing something – we’ll see how this issue will be developed in the future.
Doctor Strange offers fantastic, expressive characters, a lot of magic and a smart story about searching for a place in the world. Besides some controversial decisions, I have a lot of respect for director Scott Derrickson. Doctor Strange is simply incredible.
Verdict:
Director: Scott Derrickson
Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange/Doctor Strange
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo
Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One
Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer
Mads Mikkelsen as Kaecilius
Michael Stuhlbarg as Nicodemus West
Benedict Wong as Wong
Amy Landecker in an undisclosed role
Scott Adkins in an undisclosed role
Zara Phythian as Zealot
Marvel’s Doctor Strange follows the story of the talented neurosurgeon Doctor Stephen Strange who, after a tragic car accident, must put ego aside and learn the secrets of a hidden world of mysticism and alternate dimensions. Based in New York City’s Greenwich Village, Doctor Strange must act as an intermediary between the real world and what lies beyond, utilising a vast array of metaphysical abilities and artifacts to protect the Marvel cinematic universe.
Doctor Strange releases in North America on November 4, 2016.