“Doctor Strange” Review
Benedict Cumberbatch stars in “Doctor Strange” as the titular neurosurgeon turned Sorcerer Supreme as he uses a variety of magical powers, including the Infinity Stone of Time, to defend the Earth from evil forces.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, magic was always an element that was tip-toed around in many films. Even the ones that starred gods like “Thor” and “Thor: The Dark World” tried to brush off magic by saying that it’s either superpowers, a more advanced form of science or Infinity Stones. However, when it was revealed that Doctor Strange was getting a film within the MCU, it looked like magic was finally going to be addressed and the film didn’t disappoint. As far as origin stories go, “Doctor Strange” is one of the most visually stunning films Marvel has made with a wonderful introduction to the mystical side of this universe.
While superheroes like The Avengers are saving the world, Doctor Stephen Strange (because comic book names are always alliterative and lacking subtlety) is an admired neurosurgeon who is far more interested in building his reputation than actually helping. When a car accident results in extensive nerve damage to Dr. Strange’s hands, rendering them incapable of remaining steady for surgery.
With his medical career appearing to be over, Strange travels the world seeking alternative forms of medicine. This leads him to a society of sorcerers who use their magic to defend the world from threats across the multiverse and who teach Strange the mystic arts. When a rogue sorcerer named Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) threatens to have Earth absorbed into the terrible Dark Dimension, Dr. Strange and his allies must use their powers to save the world.
When “Dr. Strange” was initially released, I felt that it didn’t delve into the mystic arts enough. I was expecting a film that was full of really out there imagery akin to the Dr. Strange comics. However, since it’s an introduction to this side of the universe, it had to be more basic while giving us a taste of the insanity that could come in the future. Now that “Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” was released earlier this year, I truly respect how well it set up the magical aspect of the MCU.
Benedict Cumberbatch is a fantastic lead because he has similar qualities to Tony Stark. He’s egotistical but also passionate about what he does so you do feel for him when he’s unable to do what he loves even though he sometimes does it for the wrong reasons. However, what makes Stephen Strange stand out is how much he desires knowledge. While he’s initially skeptical, he does dive into studying the mystic arts albeit for the selfish reason of using his power to heal his hands. But when the world is put in jeopardy, Dr. Strange does rise up to the task of being a hero.
Dr. Strange’s desire to learn how to heal himself leads him to the mystic arts where he learns to conjure magic and open his mind to understanding how chaotic and interesting the universe is.
Also standing out is Benedict Wong as Wong, the librarian of the sorcerer stronghold of Kamar-Taj, who becomes a comedic foil to Dr. Strange. However, Wong is so much more than that by bringing a badass quality to this character that has made him a popular figure within the MCU fanbase. He not only has appeared in five MCU films alongside Dr. Strange, but he’s also appeared on his own in the film “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” and in the television series “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.” He’s even since taken over Strange’s mantle as the Sorcerer Supreme, the leader of all of Earth’s sorcerers, for reasons I shall get into when I review “Avengers: Infinity War.”
Other supporting characters do a fine job of guiding Strange including The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) who leads the Sorcerers while also hiding a dark secret, Dr. Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) who worked with Strange when he was a neurosurgeon and was once his girlfriend and Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofer), a by-the-book sorcerer who becomes disillusioned with the way The Ancient One, Wong and Dr. Strange all use the mystic arts to manipulate the world around them.
And it’s a good thing that the protagonists are so interesting because the film’s villain, in tradition with many Marvel films up to this point, is a bore. This is especially unfortunate because Mads Mikkelsen is a truly amazing actor who has starred in many great films like “Another Round,” “The Hunt” and “Casino Royale” where he played the chilling and desperate villain Le Chiffre. But he’s not written that well and his motivation is pretty weak. He wants to live forever and the only way to do so is to have the Earth sucked into the Dark Dimension where the powerful Dormammu (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) resides. Really, Dormammu is way more interesting because of his cool design and the fact that I want to know more about why he wants Earth so badly.
While most people seem to like this film, one of its biggest criticisms is that the Marvel origin story seems pretty familiar which is a fair criticism. The idea of a narcissistic playboy who becomes humbled through trials and becomes a noble hero has been seen before in films like “Iron Man” and “Thor.” However, it’s still done well and enhanced with likable characters and a unique environment which is enhanced by amazing effects.
The amazing effects of “Doctor Strange” brought to life so many incredible images from the comics including other dimensions and magical spells.
The CGI of this film is used to create incredibly trippy sequences such as when Doctor Strange is first introduced to the possibilities of magic or anything involving the mirror dimension where sorcerers can manipulate their environment without it affecting the real world.
On top of that, not only does “Doctor Strange” introduce sorcerers into the MCU, it also introduces the fifth of the six Infinity Stones and the final one to make its appearance before “Avengers: Infinity War:” The Time Stone. Held in a necklace called the Eye of Agamotto (the first sorcerer of Earth), the power of this relic allows the user to manipulate time and proves useful throughout the film.
“Doctor Strange” is a film that I appreciate the more I watch it because the film did make some big changes to this franchise. It brought forth magic and also showed us that this franchise could still surprise us. Something that the MCU continues to do to this day.
