Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? Yes, unless you really don’t like the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Should you watch this more than once? Nah.
Score: 3.9/5
Secret ending: Two of them!
Running time: 115 minutes (~2 hours)
“Doctor Strange” is a superhero movie that’s the fourteenth in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It focuses on the rise of Doctor Strange, a surgeon who learns to master the mystic arts and becomes a supreme sorcerer on Earth (although not a Sorcerer Supreme). It stars Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange/Stephen Strange/Dormammu), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Karl Mordo), Rachel McAdams (Christine Palmer), Benedict Wong (Wong), Tilda Swinton (The Ancient One), Mads Mikkelsen (Kaecilius), with cameos by Stan Lee (as himself) and Chris Hemsworth (Thor). It is rated PG-13.
“Doctor Strange” has been highly anticipated because it adds another dimension to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though it could arguably be said that since we’ve already seen deities, we’ve seen magic. Nevertheless, this is magic that’s depicted as completely mystical, rather than some highly advanced form of science that we do not yet know of. It won’t knock your socks off, but “Doctor Strange” still impresses by taking a high concept hero and making him relatable and fun.
Highlights
Easily understood and quantified magic
The problem with depicting magic in film is that the limits must be clearly defined and intuitively understood, otherwise the audience will never know if the protagonist is endangered. While Doctor Strange doesn’t lay out the rules of magic as starkly as say, the Harry Potter series does, it does show you what the most powerful sorcerers are capable of, giving you a visual cue as to what magic can achieve. It can warp reality but not actually destroy buildings outright, manipulate time but not actually rewrite history, and that’s a crucial distinction to make when your main character’s power is potentially limitless.
A whole new world
Just like how “Ant-Man” showed us what a Lilliputian version of the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be like, “Doctor Strange’ shows the world through a magical lens. Perspectives and gravity are continuously twisted in the film as the characters battle throughout the magical realm, giving us a sense that this is truly a battlefield that our regular Avengers might not be able to triumph in. Well, except for the Hulk maybe. It avoids the standard psychedelic perspectives that you’d expect, while still remaining fresh enough to give its unique take on magic.
Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One
Whitewashing aside, Tilda Swinton does give a rather compelling performance as the weary and conflicted Ancient One. Her slender frame contrasts perfectly with the skill and power at her disposal, highlighting the themes of appearance vs reality. In the end, we can’t help but feel sorry for the Ancient One, who has to bear the burden of the world’s safety on her tiny shoulders.
Climax comes full circle
The inevitable defeat of the villain of the piece is very cleverly tied to Doctor Strange’s personal conflict, in that he has to rise above his flaws in order to achieve victory. It also melds his great intellect with his arcane abilities, showing us why Doctor Strange is fit to be the great sorcerer of Earth since he brings an unorthodox methodology to an even more unorthodox power source. In the end though, it all comes back to character, and Doctor Strange’s character triumphs are similarly echoed in his physical wins.
Letdowns
Benedict Cumberbatch’s uneven accent
The worst part about Benedict Cumberbatch’s accent is that it is incredibly noticeable at times, which means he’s laying it on too thick. For the bulk of the film, his American accent sounds perfectly in tune with his character and situations. But every now and then, there’ll be a slip up and that accent goes into overdrive, reminding you that this isn’t the natural way he speaks. It’s not a major quibble but just like in Black Mass, it detracts from his performance.
“Doctor Strange” is an exciting new foray into the magic of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“Doctor Strange” opens in cinemas:
– 27 October, 2016 (Singapore)
– 27 October, 2016 (Malaysia)
– 26 October, 2016 (Philippines)
This article was first published on Yahoo!.
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