'Doctor Strange' is the newest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Mcu), making it the 14th entry. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mads Mikkelson and Rachel McAdams. The movie centers around Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), a neurosurgeon who severely injures his hands, rendering him unable to perform his passion. Searching for any way to get the use of his hands back, he meets 'The Ancient One' (Tilda Swinton). She teaches him to heal through the mystic arts.
Obviously, if you've seen the commercials or trailers for this movie, you can tell that two things are obvious about it: There's going to be trippy, mind-bending, 'Inception' style effects, and there's going to be magic involved. Whether you'll enjoy this movie completely depends on how you feel about each of them. If it's something you can't get past, you're not going to like this movie. If it's something you're about, I really think you'll get a huge kick out of this movie. Benedict Cumberbatch absolutely nails it as the titular character, pulling off the arrogant neurosurgeon who is humbled through his accident very well. Tilda Swinton also does a very good job playing 'The Ancient One'. The effects are also as mind-bending and enjoyable as advertised, and they really are an enhancement to the movie, not an annoyance.
One complaint some people may have with the movie is that its a pretty by the numbers origin story. If you're a comic book reader, and already know the origins of 'Doctor Strange', I could understand that, but I've personally never read a comic book in my entire life, so I always enjoy a well told origin story, and I think this movie qualifies.
One big complaint I have for the movie is something that is very consistent with other Marvel movies. Despite Marvel Studio's sustained commercial and critical success, they consistently fall short on their villains, save a few exceptions. This movie is no different. Mads Mikkelson isn't a terrible villain, he just doesn't stand out among a bevvy of good characters on the good side.
Overall, despite the movie being pretty by the numbers and familiar for a comic book movie, 'Doctor Strange' hits the notes that Marvel has hit for the last eight years so successfully. It's not the best Marvel movie ever made, but it is nowhere near the worst, and is worth seeing in theatres!
Final Grade: B+
