The new movie Doctor Strange is a strange beast indeed, with one part a less-than-typical origin story, and the other, a mesmerizing display of special effects unlike anything Marvel has shown us before. As far as the visuals and the adaptation of Stephen Strange's origin story are concerned, the comic's original creator, Steve Ditko, should be proud.
Although at times the movie drags on, the slow development is necessary to establish Stephen Strange as a character. We don't quite get the Sorcerer Supreme we are expecting from the comics, but instead, we get a Doctor Strange that is still learning to use his newfound mystical powers. This is a welcome change of pace because it's believable in his character arc that he wouldn't instantly be an expert at magic. In fact, for most of the film, he relies sometimes on physical confrontation, as opposed to magic, because he is not quite as adept as the enemies he faces.
The classic Marvel wit is present in this movie as much as any other, but with dripping sarcasm and outspoken hubris stemming from Strange's personality and Benedict Cumberbatch's delivery of the character.
The leap from comic to film is seamless, and the translation of magic and the mystical arts is an especially fascinating introduction.
One gripe I have with the film is it gives little opportunity for anyone other than Strange to develop. You definitely get an emotional arc from Strange, but the others are left by the wayside as side characters, offering little more to the overall plot than that (aside from Tilda Swinton's standout moments as the Ancient One).
Another issue I had was Kaecilius (played by Mads Mikkelsen) was little more than a one-off villain who didn't really get his day in the sun, despite an interesting mid-movie monologue about the ethics of immortality and death, which had Strange questioning his own ethical approach to the mystic arts and beyond. Mikkelsen was later cast aside for an introductory encounter with Dormammu, a long-speculated villain for this film, considering his decorated comic book origin as a Strange villain.
Kaecilius' lack of worthwhile involvement brings to mind another issue: the pacing, which could have easily benefited from a mere fifteen to twenty minutes extra run-time. A final confrontation with Kaecilius was necessary for this film to feel conclusive in that clash of wills. Instead, the last 20 minutes of the film are spent haphazardly rushing into the ending, which, in all honesty, made the film feel like a poor editing job during its final minutes.
Despite these minor qualms, Doctor Strange's strength is found in the individual narrative and character arc of Stephen Strange himself, as well as the aforementioned special effects, which are used to represent the mystical arts and recreate locations ripped straight out of the comics.
With all that said, the performances are solid from every single member of the cast, with very little to complain about. The cinematography is fresh and psychedelic, and the plot is a plunge into unfamiliar territory for many moviegoers. This serves to give the film appeal, rather than polarize the common viewer. As a comic book enthusiast myself, there is little plot-wise to surprise me, but recognizing this film's achievement as a comic adaptation and a very good movie through fresh eyes, earns it my praise.
Overall, I would rate this film an 8/10, as it is a rock-solid adaptation coupled with inventive special effects work and a surprisingly unfamiliar story for many.
