Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is an animated movie that shows the origin story of Doctor Strange and how he went from being an arrogant surgeon to becoming one of the greatest and most powerful sorcerers in the world. The movie starts with Strange’s origin story, showing how he lost his hands and his car crashed, leaving him as nothing more than an arrogant surgeon at the time. Strange then meets a man named Mordo, who takes him to Kamar-Taj, where they train under The Ancient One to become Sorcerers Supreme, so they can fight against Kaecilius and Dormammu.
Cast
Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Scott Adkins, and Elizabeth Olsen. With Mike Moh playing a host of supporting characters. Directed by Scott Derrickson. Screenplay by C. Robert Cargill and Derrickson with additional input from Jon Spaihts and Scott Rosenberg & Babak Najafi.
Director
Samuel M. Raimi
(Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action throughout.) 132 minutes. In general release. (May contain mild spoilers.)
Synopsis
Ever since his debut, Doctor Strange has been a groundbreaking superhero. Whether he’s fighting as part of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes or bringing magic to big-screen superheroes, Stephen Strange is constantly pushing boundaries and exploring new dimensions. After a disappointing movie stint with 2016’s DOCTOR STRANGE, Marvel Studios decided to take him back to basics with 2022’s DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS. And while it’s not on par with his original comic book run, it tells an enjoyable tale that will please both long-time fans and newcomers alike.
Review:
If you thought other Marvel movies were strange, Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness will blow your mind. It has more twists and turns than a roller coaster, with very little time to catch a breath. This makes it quite confusing at times, but you don’t have to think too hard about what’s going on, because there are plenty of cool characters and amazing special effects to enjoy. Overall, it’s fast-paced and entertaining. I’m not sure it’s better than some earlier Marvel films but is certainly well worth watching. For me, Benedict Cumberbatch does an excellent job as Dr. Stephen Strange. He brings humor and charm to his character even when he’s dealing with difficult situations or intense fighting scenes. As for Mads Mikkelsen as Kaecilius – watch out for him! His voice alone gives me chills! For those who want a plot that makes sense – stick to The Avengers (1&2) or Thor (1&2). But if you want something that’ll make your head spin, Doctor Strange is definitely for you!
Rating
[4.5/5 stars] Doctor Strange is an odd film that doesn’t quite compare to what we typically see from Marvel Studios. The cinematic landscape of 2018 has been filled with giant movie-star heroes fighting enormous CGI monsters, but Doctor Strange stands out as a totally different kind of experience. It blends comedy, drama, sci-fi, and fantasy into something new. The result is a creative story that works both on its own terms and as part of Marvel’s larger narrative universe…
Plot and acting
Dr. Stephen Strange is like a figure from Greek mythology and feels more at home with Shakespeare’s Witches and Wizards than he does amongst us mundane humans. This is also very evident in actor Benedict Cumberbatch’s performance, which is so highly stylized it almost feels like a parody, and yet manages to never feel over-the-top or uncomfortable. In fact, Cumberbatch seems to be having just as much fun as everyone else on the screen. I was always able to get lost watching how different characters shifted their expressions or took advantage of slight pauses for comic relief without ever feeling that something was going out of character for any individual.
Production value
Compared to past Marvel movies, the production value is spectacular. The atmosphere of madness and alternate realities is as fun to watch as they are unbelievable. While these elements are seen as cheesy by some, seeing them from a fantasy perspective rather than a science fiction one really changes how you feel about it. Adding more CGI would make things less believable but if you’re willing to suspend your disbelief for an hour and a half then you’ll be rewarded with great special effects and quality acting. If you’re not sold on seeing it for yourself just yet, I recommend watching a few trailers – trust me, you won’t regret it!
Conclusion
Overall, I really enjoyed Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The MCU can get a little formulaic and predictable at times (especially after Infinity War), but it’s still consistently engaging and fun to watch. If you’re looking for a quick but engaging action flick, or just want to see some trippy visuals and ridiculous plots, then give Doc Strange 2 ago. Despite some flaws, like underwhelming villains or lackluster comedy moments, it is definitely worth your time—and not just because it connects us with phase 4 of the MCU. Overall, I rate Doc Strange 2 a 7/10. Do you agree? Agree? Disagree? Let me know what you think in the comment box!
