My friend Shane and I make it our mission to see every superhero movie that comes out to theaters. We see the first showing in our hometown every time one comes out, and I've been itching to write a review ever since we started. So here we go.
"Doctor Strange" was a very interesting film where we see Marvel stick to their usual formula, but also dive into something new and exciting. Marvel is known for their comedic dialogue, action-packed fight sequences and epic story lines. "Doctor Strange" doesn't disappoint and leaves everyone with another winner for the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The movie is about an incredibly successful surgeon who after going through a horrible accident, loses control of his hands- his most prized possessions. After going through this horrifying experience he travels to a mystical safe haven where he learns the mystic arts and hopes to regain his ability to use his hands so he can become a surgeon once again. I don't want to give away any spoilers because nobody likes an article that spoils the movie, but I'd rather give my honest opinion and how I enjoyed the movie.
Benedict Cumberbatch does a phenomenal job portraying Doctor Stephen Strange and bringing a Tony Stark type character to the MCU. He is brilliant, arrogant and to put it politely, a complete dick. He became a surgeon for the success and the challenge, not to help people. This helps develop another complex Marvel character and let him progress into the hero that he becomes by the story's climax and ending. He was coupled with great side characters which included Rachel McAdams' as Dr. Christine Palmer, Benedict Wong as Wong (I know, very creative), Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo (an interesting character that becomes the definition of a plot twist), and the wonderful Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One.
The villain Kaecilius is interesting but doesn't quite live up to his potential. He get's backstory that serves his purpose as the villain but it doesn't really explain too much about him, and unfortunately adds to the list of bad Marvel villains. The actual villain, Dormammu, is really the puppeteer behind Kaecilius and the rest of his Zealots. Again he creates an obstacle for Cumberbatch's Dr. Strange but falls flat as a big bad.
Overall I believe "Doctor Strange" is a fun film and lives up to his potential. It creates a whole new hero for the Marvel Cinematic Universe and creates many new tales to come. I recommend going to see it, and if I were a snooty film critic, I'd give it a 9/10 for it's exciting new adventure, interesting characters, but it does lose a point for flat static villains.
