Marvel Studios’ most recent venture was a unique one. Since 2008’s “Iron Man”, the production company’s highly successful formula for filmmaking has involved a hero’s journey; the making of, the call to arms, the perfectly-matched villain, and the heartfelt catharsis. “Doctor Strange” follows this formula to a tee. However, like only a few Marvel films have done since 2008, it managed to strike a few new chords, and resonates beyond most of the superhero flicks we’ve seen in recent years.
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role, the tale follows Doctor Stephen Strange, a neurosurgeon whose ego sends him over the edge of a cliff, and without the use of his hands. Desperate to return to the life he had, Stephen goes to extraordinary (strange?) measures to fix his damaged hands and shattered life, only to discover something far greater than himself when he meets Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), the prior serving as a bridge between what Strange knows and what he doesn’t, the latter of whom shows Strange that reality is merely what we make of it. Against the laws of reality are Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) and his followers of Death Eaters/evil wizards, perhaps the strongest antagonism in Marvel since Loki.
“Doctor Strange” was unsurprisingly a very enjoyable movie, and it managed to break some of the established conventions of the cinematic universe that the Avengers have been a part of for so long. For example, the presence of magic has never been; even in the “Thor” franchise, magic is described merely as science which we do not yet understand. “Strange” changes those policies, rooting itself as a more philosophical superhero narrative that begs questions about belief and answers those questions with something along the lines of, “rules are meant to be broken”. In this movie, magic is proven to be just that, because there is no explanation, logic, or reality— and there never will be.
Interesting notions, yes. However, they can’t help but feel like safety nets. Marvel expertly sets up smoke and mirrors to pull of amazing slight-of-hand feats; their stories and characters are so captivating, that you don’t notice when they’re being lazy, and in some cases, “Doctor Strange” can be. As the movie asks existential questions and answers with “reality isn’t real anyway”, we’re meant to accept it. But if reality isn’t real, and if the rules of magic are impossible to truly set, nothing really holds up. There has to be limit and form to magic, or magic itself doesn’t have any validation to it.
In short, the movie’s use of magic defeats itself. It tells itself on a larger-than-anything-you-can-ever-imagine scale, while showing it to you in IMAX 3D. The reality of the surreality is that it is still reality, and it can be seen, felt, and changed by people. The psychedelics go a long way, however if I’m lead to believe I can’t comprehend something, putting it on a screen is self-defeating. The underwhelming nature of the insurmountable yet perfectly visible acid trip carries over into the film’s climax, which results in somberness after a bit too much of a build up.
Thematics aside, “Doctor Strange” was different. Stephen Strange was a more reluctant hero than those we’ve seen in the past; matter of fact, he remained reluctant even after (quickly) mastering his powers, saving the day (like two or three times), and frequently having the chance to just go home. By the end of the story, I still don’t feel left with somebody who’s ready to fight Thanos in a couple of years. Not that he’s incapable, just that he’d rather read a book, which is an interesting trait when we’re surrounded by Avengers whom we’ve forgotten the motivations of. The humor was appropriate, the VFX added up to create a righteous color trip, and Benedict Cumberbatch shows again how believable he can make pretty much any character.
Is “Doctor Strange” Marvel’s best movie yet? Of course not. Is it their worst? Far from it. As a matter of fact, the movie is probably one of their best ever, and it did a splendid job of introducing elements into the cinematic universe that have been absent for too long: indifferent, unintentional wit, ironically great motivations, well rounded characters, and real magic.
Marvel's "Doctor Strange" hits theaters Friday, November 4th.
