And if you can do that, then you’ll probably love this movie as much as I did. While it isn’t down to Earth in terms of logic, physics, and science (not to say many superhero movies are), Marvel Studios has a way of consistently casting and adapting its believable characters wonderfully on the big screen.
Joining the likes of Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Mark Ruffalo, Benedict Cumberbatch slips in to the role of Stephen Strange so magically. We meet our hero, an acclaimed neurosurgeon whose narcissism is a little less relatable than that of Downey Jr.’s Iron Man, and thus, makes him one of Marvel’s more indifferent protagonists. This is his central problem — but Marvel is a mature studio. It delivers impressive and intelligent character development, while simultaneously providing the most psychedelic, head-trip of a movie I’ve seen in years. The Hulk has his anger issues, Thor has family issues, but Doctor Strange battles himself in this movie. And maybe that’s why his obligatory sorcerous villain, Kaecilius (played by Mads Mikklesen), seems so obsolete in this film at times. While movies such as “The Dark Knight” and “Spider-Man 2” are excellent for their super villains, "Doctor Strange" is great for its mystical hero.
After losing the functions of his precious hands, Strange also loses his sense of purpose, pushing away love interests such as Christine Palmer (played by Rachel McAdams). His selfishness leads him on a journey to the Himalayas, or Kamar-Taj, a college of the mystic arts housed high in the snowy-caps — a fitting aesthetic. Here, he is introduced to Morod, a sorcerer played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who helps Strange meet his champion and mentor, the Ancient One (played by Tilda Swinton). A “young grasshopper” moment is had, and it is decided that Strange is going to master the arts of mysticism, the astral plane, and the mirror dimensions to cure his hands and return to his happy life in New York — yeah, right.
Swinton is excellent. While originally an old, wise, Asian man in the comics, her reimagined role as the Ancient One seems minimal, yet critical to the film. Ejiofor and Benedict Wong — who plays Master Wong, the librarian and protector of the magical book of secrets for spells and sanctums alike — are pleasant additions as well. And though you’re probably rolling your eyes at this point, I want to make it clear that I, too struggle with the suspension of disbelief factor in the fantasy genre, but this movie sells itself quite well, somehow making me believe in the instantaneous conjuring of magic whips, shields, and portals. It’s truly marvelous.
Of course, Doctor Strange is just as much a visual masterpiece as it is a compelling and spectacular origin story. Buildings twist and reorganize themselves, floors stretch and spin, and cars drive on folded streets; feats in filmmaking and special effects was not possible until the last decade or so. It’s sleek, polished, and somehow never feels incomprehensible or laughable. This is one of Marvel’s sharpest movies, if not THE BEST, and deserves to win some awards for visual effects.
The rest of the film is, however, the typical Marvel formula. Strange masters the arts, returns to his lover, and fights the bad guy threatening to destroy the world — or worlds. But director Scott Derrickson speeds through these clichés, which feels both smart and irresponsible. Because while those are the key elements of comic book movies, Marvel Studios is certainly trying to substantiate the genre, and in this case, it does so successfully.
Doctor Strange is, in all ways, a great superhero movie. Marvel’s less-iconic character is suited uniquely and wondrously, thanks to Cumberbatch and extraordinary effects. Marvel has undoubtedly mastered the arts of superhero filmmaking, and every addition feels like a new, strange adventure. This film is no exception.
I give Doctor Strange a 9/10.
