In my opinion, Marvel is one of three properties in Hollywood that has an impeccable track record. The other two being Star Wars and Pixar. Now they can add on to their Cinematic Universe with Doctor Strange, a rousing, gorgeous, exhilarating, hilarious, and richly satisfying extravaganza.
Benedict Cumberbatch stars as Dr. Stephen Strange, a neurosurgeon who survives a fatal car accident and relearns how to live despite not having full use of his hands. After discovering someone else with the same problem, he journeys to Nepal to search for help. He seeks out a mystical leader of a secret society (Tilda Swinton) who teaches him martial arts and other techniques he can use to alter reality at his will. Think of Swinton as like a white, female Morpheus.
Rachel McAdams plays his former lover and coworker and together they do conjure up their own witty dialogue exchanges and have terrific chemistry. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Swinton’s second-in-command and oftentimes rival to Dr. Strange.
Mads Mikkelsen from Casino Royale stars as a fellow mystic who betrayed the secret society and his powers and his powers coincide with the birth’s of Dr. Strange’s.
If I could do a one-word review, it would simply be this: WOW! The cast delivers top-notch performances and the visuals are nothing short of spellbinding throughout. I saw it in IMAX 3D and there were certain sequences and images that put a smile on my face that was just as enormous as that screen.
At times, the movie does get jumbled with of mumbo jumbo about alternate dimensions and every once in a while, I had a hard time figuring out who the real villain is, but that is just a minor quibble. Marvel continues to include the one element in their films that makes it a vast improvement over DC: Fun.
Another MARVEL-ous feather in their cap.
Grade: A
(Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action throughout, and an intense crash sequence.)
