I really thought this was going to be one I wouldn’t enjoy.
Doctor Strange starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel
Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen, Rachel McAdams, and directed by Scott
Derrickson. The film is a true origin story for Doctor Strange, and while there
have been many origin stories for superheroes over the past ten years this one
is still unique. It introduces magic, different dimensions, and how they all
relate to one another. The movie keeps the origin of Steven Strange fresh.
Going into the film I wasn’t sure what to expect. I hadn’t been wowed by the
trailers and thought this might be the first miss for a Marvel film since Thor
2. Walking out, Doctor Strange had me wanting to go read comics about the
sorcerer supreme and wanting to turn back around and watch the film again.
At its core Doctor Strange is a character piece. We go on a
journey of self-discovery with Steven Strange where he has to grow as a person.
He starts off as a complete egotistical jerk who only cares about his own worth
and standing in the world. The injury he
has to his hands in a car accident forces him to lose his job as a surgeon. He
searches and tries everything in his power to gain his standing back, which
leads him to search out the Ancient One. Instead of finding an answer on how to
heal his hands, his mind is opened to a completely different reality. While this
journey is fantastical at the center is still a story about a man who must gain
more humanity. It’s a story that has been told many times and in many different
ways, but still can captivating and relatable if told well.
A main reason Doctor Strange is able to pull off its
character piece is because of the actors involved. Benedict Cumberbatch is
absolutely fantastic as the good doctor. He plays the jerk at the start of the
movie perfectly and his transformation is subtle and believable. From the story
and his portrayal, I bought into his character transformation. There are great
supporting cast all around him to help tell his story. Rachel McAdams does a
good job as the love interest and something which keeps Strange tied to his old
life. She could have been more developed overall as a character, but McAdams
did a good job with what she was asked to do. Chiwetel Ejiofor is fantastic in
everything he does and he doesn’t disappoint here. He has one or two show
stealing scenes with Cumberbatch which highlight the movie. Tilda Swinton
nearly steals the movie as the Ancient One. The serenity and subtle
profoundness she brought to the role was extremely well done. I’m not getting
into her casting other than to say she was great and I’m glad she was in the
film. All of the actors did a good job and is one reason the story works so
well when it is set with a very weird backdrop.
The overall strangeness of the different dimensions and
mysticisms will keep some from enjoying the film. I could completely understand
someone walking out of Doctor Strange and not enjoying the movie because they
didn’t understand what was going on in regards to the magic. The action is also
very trippy and at times hard to follow, but I still found it extremely
enjoyable to watch. I can see some who wouldn’t and I couldn’t argue if this
turned them off to the film. I ate everything up with the magic and traveling
to different dimensions and how they used time and time travel. I thought it
all was well done and is one reason I could see myself going back to the
theatre and watching the movie again.
The only slight downfall for the film is something found in
most marvel movies, the villain. Mads Mikkelsen does a good job in the role, he
just isn’t given much to work with. I think there is actually a very
interesting villain and character somewhere on the cutting room floor for
Doctor Strange. Kaecilius seems to have an interesting background which could
make him relatable. There seems to be a tragic backstory which could have been
dived into to give the character more depth, but either it was never part of
the plan or was cut because of time. Which the pace of the movie and how
quickly it moves is another strong aspect of the film. The lack of depth in
Mads character is also made up for by a fantastic climactic scene which makes
the journey of the film payoff extremely well.
I went into Doctor Strange not knowing what to expect. I
didn’t know if this was going to be a movie I was going to enjoy. I thought it
could have been a Marvel film just below par of the rest. One which was fun to
watch once, but not something I had to rush out and buy when it became
available to own. After seeing Doctor Strange, this changed. This film is a
must see for any super-hero fan and worth seeing for those who just simply like
science fiction and fantasy. I’m not sure it will relate to a mass general
audience because of the mysticism, but tons of people love Harry Potter, so
maybe not. I’ll be trying to talk my son into seeing it so I can watch it
again.
What did you think of Doctor Strange if you have
seen it? What were or are your expectations for the film? Comment and let me
know.
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