DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS Review; "A One of A Kind Blockbuster Experience"

DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS Review; "A One of A Kind Blockbuster Experience"

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness punches open the door to the MCU's Multiverse, but is Sam Raimi's sequel the mad movie we've been promised? Check out our (mostly) spoiler-free verdict...

Review Opinion
By JoshWilding - May 05, 2022 08:05 AM EST

Minor spoilers for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness may follow.

If Avengers: Endgame, Loki, and Spider-Man: No Way Home opened the door to the Multiverse, then it’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness that punches a star-shaped hole right through it. Since 2016, Stephen Strange has become a key player in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it’s now down to the former Sorcerer Supreme to familiarise moviegoers with the concept of alternate dimensions and Variants (even if they’re never named as such), potentially laying the groundwork for what could eventually be the Secret Wars movie we’ve all been waiting for. This sequel wastes no time throwing us into the thick of the action - if you haven’t watched WandaVision, now would be a good time to do so - as we follow Stephen Strange on a Multiverse-hopping adventure that allows director Sam Raimi to be, well, Sam Raimi. 

Make no mistake about it; Marvel Studios has quite clearly allowed the filmmaker behind Evil Dead and Spider-Man to be himself with this Doctor Strange sequel. Just like how Taika Waititi put his own spin on the Thor franchise, Raimi brings a style to the table that feels wholly unique to him. If you’re not a fan of the filmmaker’s visual flairs, then your mileage may vary, but we’d love to see him continue exploring this character as he did Spider-Man because Raimi makes Doctor Strange stand out from the crowd in a way that simply hasn’t been the case in the MCU before now. Of course, it helps that he gets to inject a good dose of horror into the proceedings. As well as portraying Strange’s powers in some staggeringly bonkers ways, Raimi delivers a movie that’s tense and genuinely frightening at times, so be prepared for some terrific jump scares and surprisingly violent visuals. With Stephen and America Chavez being pursued through the Multiverse by a seemingly unstoppable force, the tension never lets up, and the movie might, in some ways, be at its weakest when we do take a trip to those different worlds. 

Ultimately, that could be down to having far too high expectations (we’ll call it the "Mephisto effect"). The Illuminati's presence results in some jaw-dropping cameos, but those scenes feel oddly tacked on and superfluous to the wider story, almost as if Marvel Studios realised they needed some high-profile names to deliver on that title. We see a number of alternate realities, but short of a decimated New York and a version of the Big Apple that’s oddly flowery where everyone seems to wear the same colour clothes and eat pizza balls, there’s really nothing all that mad here. There are glimpses of crazy worlds, but none of the major references to the comic books you’d think Marvel Studios might have chosen to deliver. What If…? dropped us on an Earth where Steve Rogers is President, for example, but there’s nothing quite as weird as that to be found outside of The Illuminati's reality. Still, what we do get works, and works well, but it might be best to temper expectations if you’re anticipating Deadpool rocking up in the post-credits scene or Raimi finally getting to reunite with Spider-Man. 
 


Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is at its best when the focus is on the title character and the Scarlet Witch. Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen deliver in a big way, and Michael Waldron’s screenplay gives them both a chance to explore these characters in a deep and meaningful way that simultaneously lays the groundwork for their respective future adventures. Cumberbatch, in particular, really gets to let loose playing his Variants, though Olsen reminds us why she’s one of the most talented actors working today with her soulful, hard-hitting take on Wanda Maximoff. Rachel McAdams gets the opportunity to make up for her lack of screentime in the first movie by playing a memorable Christine Palmer Variant, Chiwetel Ejiofor is on top form as Master Mordo (we’re still waiting to see the original make his MCU return...), and Benedict Wong is a highlight as Wong. As new Sorcerer Supreme, he’s rightly given a large role and makes the most of it with some scene-stealing dialogue and moments.

Xochitl Gomez, meanwhile, deserves a special mention as America Chavez, especially as this is her first major role. The newcomer is instantly likeable as the reality-hopping teenager, and a character we’re very excited to see become a major player in the MCU. Hopefully, her sexuality will be explored in a larger way down the line, especially as she is the sort of hero those Disney+ TV shows were made to showcase. Sadly, there’s not much to say about Adam Hugill’s Rintrah because the character is largely sidelined and little more than just another Kamar-Taj student, despite being heavily featured on merchandise. 

This is a movie it’s impossible not to have fun watching, and it's a joy to see Raimi explore Doctor Strange’s powers in wildly inventive and unique ways. Bolstered by Danny Elfman’s excellent score, the action scenes are among the MCU’s best, and unrealistic expectations aside, those Multiverse cameos don’t disappoint. We’d have admittedly liked to see the movie go a little further with them (the sequel would have benefitted from an extra 15 or 20 minutes on the whole), but as a story about Doctor Strange and the Scarlet Witch, it works tremendously well. Overall, this is a solid chapter in Phase 4’s Multiverse saga, though we do hope Marvel Studios pulls the curtain back on its larger game plan soon because it feels a lot like they've yet to fully embrace the madness within it. 

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a one of a kind blockbuster experience and a pure, unadulterated Sam Raimi movie that, while not quite the crazy ride through the Multiverse we expected, delivers a fun, horror-tinged trip.
 

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Watchingme
Watchingme - 5/5/2022, 9:01 AM
This movie was awful. Truly. Waste of time, a sordid droll, a perdictble spectacle.
KWilly
KWilly - 5/5/2022, 10:14 AM
@Isheconformed - It's crazy how mixed this movie's reception is, lol
theprophet
theprophet - 5/5/2022, 12:46 PM
@KWilly - cause people crying about not having the cameos the leaks promised lol
Bokis
Bokis - 5/5/2022, 9:02 AM
I liked the last Spider-Man movie a lot, but Multiverse of Madness is what No Way Home would’ve been if it was a well made movie instead of just an entertaining one
DoubleD
DoubleD - 5/5/2022, 9:15 AM
Great review bought my tickets party of 4 for 4:30 TODAY! :)
micvalpro
micvalpro - 5/5/2022, 9:16 AM
ATOMIC BLONDE
Desrow
Desrow - 5/5/2022, 9:29 AM
I wanted to like this movie, I really do.

Mostly because Sam Raimi, but oh man... It feels SO rushed, I got a hard time watching this, some scenes are cool but that's it.
Still, gonna give it another try once it arrives at Disney+
kRAVENkIaw
kRAVENkIaw - 5/5/2022, 9:30 AM
Hearing it goes full Raimi. Looking forward to that aspect especially.
vegetaray
vegetaray - 5/5/2022, 11:42 AM
@kRAVENkIaw - The horror elements, which are all 100% Raimi, were fantastic…Straight up great I’d even say…

Everything else…………..Maybe some of the worst MCU anything to date…
kRAVENkIaw
kRAVENkIaw - 5/5/2022, 12:00 PM
@vegetaray - Ah, that’s unfortunate. I’m tampering my expectations, though I’d be lying if I said I’m not easy to please.
ferf
ferf - 5/5/2022, 9:33 AM
It felt like a real "Blockbuster Experience" wandering through a shuttered VHS rental store filled with 20 year old movie references
ElvenKingSlayer
ElvenKingSlayer - 5/5/2022, 9:35 AM
Saw the movie.. So everything is canon now except for Agents of SHIELD?
Lokiwasright
Lokiwasright - 5/5/2022, 9:40 AM
Many reviews are saying it was a let down.

I thought DSMOM would have been a game changer. I'll be seeing it tomorrow.
theprophet
theprophet - 5/5/2022, 12:48 PM
@Lokiwasright - most of it because its not your typical MCU movie, they let Raimi do his thing. thats mostly why.
TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 5/5/2022, 9:55 AM
Will see it again when it hits Disney+ (mid june?), for now, a 7/10 for me, and just because I'm a sucker for Raimi's visuals, if it wasnt for that, probably closer to a 6/10.

Cant believe freaking Shang Chi is still the best Phase 4 movie.
MarvelousMarty
MarvelousMarty - 5/5/2022, 10:06 AM
Gonna be remembered as Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase Bore at this rate.
Jackraow21
Jackraow21 - 5/5/2022, 10:37 AM
@MarvelousMarty - Couldn’t agree more. I was super excited for this one, but felt let down by it. Was hoping for more.
MotherFuckerJon
MotherFuckerJon - 5/5/2022, 10:12 AM
Is it just me or does anyone else feel that this movie suffered a great deal from COVID delays. If I remember correctly, originally MoM was supposed to come before NWH.
SeanMPC
SeanMPC - 5/5/2022, 10:21 AM
@HydraB0b - yup, they had to change a bit in both films to fix that. America was gonna be in NWH sure, from the concept art.
TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 5/5/2022, 10:21 AM
@HydraB0b - Yup, same as The Batman.
NWH was the only movie to not being delay and...it showed.
MotherFuckerJon
MotherFuckerJon - 5/5/2022, 11:49 AM
@TheHumanSpider2 - I feel the delays are probably what led to a bunch of leaks too. Like Thor 4 hadn't really been affected by COVID and to this day hadn't really suffered plot leaks like BW, Eternals, NWH, DS2.
TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 5/5/2022, 1:28 PM
@HydraB0b - More than likely.
Hayesboy68
Hayesboy68 - 5/5/2022, 10:33 AM
After seeing the film this morning.

Firstly the film moves at a fast pace, sometimes too fast. The film could have been longer and spent more time with the Illuminati and certain Universes.
Torn with how they chose to go with Wanda after Wandavision. I can see why as she has the Dark hold in her possession. The action with Wanda in, is visually great and genuinely frightening. This is down to Raimi's directing.
Judge for yourself and go see the film. IMO it is a very good addition to the MCU post Endgame.
Just a heads up, don't bother with the second end of credits scene. It is in the same vain as the Captain America one in Homecoming. Adds nothing to the story.
Enjoy the film.
Jackraow21
Jackraow21 - 5/5/2022, 10:51 AM
@Hayesboy68 - Thanks. I hate the b.s. after credits scenes that add nothing. Appreciate the heads up so I can leave when the film ends rather than sit there and wait to be disappointed.
Chappers
Chappers - 5/5/2022, 10:41 AM
I had a great time with the movie, very gruesome and some legitimate jump scare moments.
A couple of cheesy and stupid lines in the script but nothing that ruined the experience
vegetaray
vegetaray - 5/5/2022, 10:42 AM
Scarlet Witch and the Multiverse of Madness was most assuredly NOT a “One of A Kind Blockbuster Experience” Wilding…Just stop it…Visuals we’re good, Raimi horror elements were great, everything else was just plain bad…When the title character is devolved into a device that simply moves the movie from Wanda scene to Wanda scene, well, there’s serious script issues…Never mind that the actual main character (Wanda obviously) had an eerily similar plot run through as she had in WandaVision…What’s the over under on how many times they can turn her bad, have her realize what she’s doing is wrong, then have her stop herself to end the movie or series or whatever?

It really seems like they honestly don’t know what to do with Strange after IW…Every movie he’s regressed to the point that I’m fairly certain his final showing will simply be him sitting in a corner playing with a bouncy ball for a couple hours…
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