Dr. Strange- Film Review
In the beginning, the main character Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is arrogant and selfish, but as the plot grows, he slowly learns humility. Strange’s life changes after a car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he looks for healing, and hope, in a mysterious territory.
Very similar to Marvel superheroes, Iron Man and Batman, Strange easily might become the world’s most insufferable superhero. This film shares the same look, feel, and fancy corporate setting as the rest of Marvel’s rapidly expanding Avengers portfolio. However, Dr. Strange has an underlying originality and freshness in contrast to the repeat editions of the other typical super hero movies.
Marvel’s cinematic attempt into this magical universe full of sorcerers and dark dimensions, is great. The opening sequence is the most stunning seven minutes of footage Marvel has ever created. “Doctor Strange” proves to be the best Marvel movie in history when it comes to its visual aspects. The action scenes in this movie are playfully incredible.
Being visually defined by a classy cast and being mostly consistent, this latest film from the Marvel studios is a comic-book movie that fully justifies its reliance on its visual effects.
Even though all four stars, Swinton, Cumberbatch, Ejiofor, and McAdams are giving it their best and bring great humor and spirit to the film, Dr. Strange has some super hero holes.
I found fault with the jokes when they came from the Doctor himself. The humor in this film often felt out of place and it worked against the dignity of the other thought elements. There are also fist fights between disembodied spirits, a visual image of destruction kicked into reverse, and lots of hotheaded mayhem featuring Strange’s cloak. These elements tend to be disruptive rather than supportive. The over-the-top cloak, for instance, is incongruent with the deeper development of the doctor’s character.
Doctor Strange is very much its own entity by being a handsome, endlessly fascinating entertainer. Strange is literally fighting for his life in this film and Cumberbatch captures both his humbling and subsequent recovery of confidence.
While we might yawn at yet another threat to all mankind, “Doctor Strange” has been presented in such a way that this higher calling restores his ability to help the entire world. This calling matters to him, even if his motives remain a mystery.
Director Scott Derrickson, effortlessly negotiates the leap from quality horror pictures to this daringly unearthly popcorn movie.
Derrickson’s greatest achievement in this film came from incorporating so much cosmic guff into the story: astral planes, third eyes and design features. The doctor is an unusual, but very entertaining member of the superhero club, and the film’s mystical elements provide food for thought as well as fun. In Dr. Strange, Marvel shows that it is starting to feel safe without an entirely happy ending, which I think is great.
