by Gema Luna, Assistant Editor
Marvel Studios once again takes us on a journey through their ever expanding movie universe, and this time we get to meet the classic character known as Doctor Strange.
We all know the story, a cocky neurosurgeon gets in a terrible accident and finds a higher meaning of life through the mystic arts. What you may not know is that Doctor Strange is one of the most visually and conceptually surprising films since Guardians of the Galaxy. For those who aren’t experts of the Marvel Universe, this movie is easy to pick up without the foreknowledge of decades of comics.
Minor spoilers only ahead, I promise!
Benedict Cumberbatch (BBC’s Sherlock) is Dr. Stephen Strange. He is a top New York neurosurgeon who gets in a horrible accident rendering him unable to use his hands. With the help of Dr. Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams, The Notebook), they search far and wide for a surgery or miracle to help him regain the use of his hands. After hearing a tale of a man who walked again after suffering from a severe spinal injury, Strange’s journey takes him to Nepal. Once there, he finds an answer in the form of “The Ancient One”, given life by Tilda Swinton (The Chronicles of Narnia). Add a super villain named Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen, Hannibal) with his band of evildoers named the Zealots, and you have a Marvel movie.
What surprised me more than anything about this movie was the choice of Director. Scott Derrickson (Sinister) is mostly known for his writing and directing of horror movies. Little did I know that he had the creation and imagination to pull off this movie. His resume was impressive before, but his latest offering may be his best. Visually, Doctor Strange makes Inception look like it was done by a high schooler on Windows 98. He brings the magic and greatness that this movie deserves to the big screen.
Doctor Strange features, like all Marvel movies, an amazing cast. Cumberbatch was made to play this character. He puts in the weightiness that the Sorcerer Supreme deserves and his comedic timing is superb. McAdams, as always, is beautiful, funny and graceful. However, Swinton blew my mind. If you read the comic books you would think it was an odd choice. However, after watching her performance I know why they went with her. She makes you laugh, think and try to be a better person all in one scene. Other characters that are worth noting are Mordo, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) and Wong, performed by Benedict Wong (The Martian). Wong’s performance was funny and gave a good balance to the seriousness that sometimes Ejiofor’s character needed in order to reel Dr. Strange in.
As previously mentioned, this movie is visually spectacular. If I could complain about one thing is that you need a couple of minutes to adjust to it in 3D glasses. But once you are in, it is a visual assault to your senses that makes you want more. The attention to detail, the transformation of space and physics all work in conjunction to have an awe-inspiring experience. Often times, you have to remember to close your jaw.
Overall
Doctor Strange delivers true Marvel magic on all levels. It is a great origin story and the cast is beyond reproach. Derrickson transports you to another dimension within our world that is visually stunning. It has comedy, seriousness and connects dots leading to the ever intertwining Marvel universe.
ComicsOnline gives Doctor Strange 5 out of 5 infinity stones.
