Doctor Strange is
a brave first step into a much stranger world for Marvel. These movies have, up
until this point, been mostly concerned with the realm of super-science and
only the occasional tangent into the fantastical. But now we have full-on,
uncensored, uncut magic in this world and it is beyond wonder.
Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is one of the
world’s most gifted neurosurgeons. Like most god-tier doctors, he’s arrogant,
brash, and overly concerned with his own reputation. All that changes when he
gets into a car crash (don’t text and drive, kids) and completely destroys the
nerves in his hands, ending his career as a surgeon. Strange seeks out any
remedy he can find, but Western medicine fails him. So he heads East in search
of healing. Instead, he finds the ancient mystical temple of Kamar-Taj and
becomes the student of an immortal sorcerer known only as the Ancient One (Tilda
Swinton). While learning the ways of magic and re-learning everything he thinks
about the world, he’ll team up with other powerful sorcerers (Chiwetel Ejiofor,
Benedict Wong), combat agents of the extra-dimensional warlord Dormammu, and
save the world from the forces of darkness. The doctor is in.
Seizing the imagination when it comes to magic can be a
tricky act to pull-off, but Doctor
Strange manages it in spades. Pulling inspiration from Steve Ditko’s
original art from the comics, the visuals and world of Doctor Strange are mind-boggling. Space is warped and time becomes
bendable as we accompany Strange on his journey through psychedelic dimensions
and mirrored worlds. The colors and vibrant unreality challenges the mind not
to understand, but to give up trying to understand. That is the true beauty of
this movie.
From the get-go, we are told that this world of magic is not
always going to make sense. And that’s perfectly fine. Science and natural
world beg to be understood. But this is the unnatural world. Trying to
understand it is like trying to understand the filmography of Nicholas Cage. There’s
no point to it because at some point you’ll learn of a new element that breaks
down everything you once knew about how the world should work. It is the
perfect counter-point to the science of the MCU thus far.
The cast does an overall serviceable job in getting to the
heart of this world. Benedict Cumberbatch brought his usual bold energy to the role
of Strange and this proves to be one of the few times where ravenous, fan-driven
casting succeeds.
Rachel McAdams as Strange’s hospital colleague was the
weakest link in the chain, having very little to do in the film. Her role as
his connection to humanity was firmly established and implemented well enough, but
the added romantic element wasn’t necessary. I did appreciate where it was left
off during their final encounter.
Mads Mikkelsen’s Kaecilius managed to rise above the usual lackluster
crop of villains seen in these movies, but just barely. For a movie like this,
where the world and visual spectacle are the real stars, the role of the
villain is secondary. Kaecilius is effective, nothing more, nothing less. And
that’s all he has to be.
All in all, Doctor Strange is an above average entry into the
Marvel canon with an astounding visual eye and enough likable characters to
warrant multiple repeated viewings.
Score: B+
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