MOVIE REVIEW: Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange (2016)

Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Directed By: Scott Derrickson 

When Marvel first announced a Doctor Strange movie I didn't know what to think, I had almost no familiarity with the character besides knowing he dealt in magic, but that was enough to make wonder how they were going to pull it off. Up until this point, the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) has been, for the most part, grounded in as much reality as possible. That was all going to change with this movie as Mordo tells us just twenty minutes into the movie to "forget everything we think we know" because this movie breaks every law of science you've ever learned. 

Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is one of, if not the most prolific neurosurgeon in the world. His hands are literal miracle workers, that is until he gets into a severe car crash that would leave them useless. In an attempt to find any way to fix the one thing that gave him purpose he is led to Kamar-Taj, a temple of mystic arts run by The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). Here he is taught to manipulate energy and magic before being recruited in the fight against a former student turned evil, Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelson) who is attempting to channel dark forces that want to destroy our world.

Directed by acclaimed horror filmmaker Scott Derrickson (Sinister), the film feels like the most standalone story in the MCU to date (with Guardians at a close second) and honestly, it's quite refreshing. Now, fourteen movies into the cinematic universe it felt good to see a story that isn't entirely entrenched in bigger picture implications. We saw a sequence of events that the Avengers will not only never know about, but probably never even had a whiff of concern about. 

The story is an origin, unfortunately, but is also totally necessary for this character. You couldn't just have Doctor Strange show up wielding magic powers without any backstory on how he came to have those abilities. Prior to this point magic hasn't been fully embraced by this universe so they kind of had to walk us through it hand in hand. The film does a fine enough job getting all of this information out in a quick fashion which allows us to enjoy the cerebral aspects of the movie that much more.

When it comes down to it, this movie is all about the cerebral high you get from the insane visuals and out-of-this-world plot. Strange and the other sorcerers are able to manipulate matter, time, energy, and so much more in ways you had never thought of and seeing it manifest on screen is like nothing you have seen before. You get a small glimpse into the visual insanity of the film from the trailers but man, it doesn't do it nearly enough justice. Every time they started manipulating their surrounding my jaw was on the floor, I have never seen visuals like this before. When CGI has become this good, it's hard to complain about its use anymore.

For those hoping for the first truly great, interesting villain in the MCU... you may leave this film disappointed. Mads Mikkelson puts in a fine performance as always but the character is once again a one-note villain given a by-the-book's story arc that sets up the epic finale. I'd like to see Marvel figure out a more interesting and complicated villain going forward but Kaecilius works just fine for this film. This movie is about Strange discovering his powers and how to use them and Kaecilius works great as another tool to get him there.

What the film lacks in story and villain is more than made up for in the crazy visuals and a great cast of core characters. Benedict Cumberbatch owns the role of Strange and totally becomes the part, the cape just looks like it belongs on his shoulders. Tilda Swinton proves to be the perfect casting for The Ancient One, adding a certain gravitas missing from many Marvel films. Chiwetel Ejiofor is there to class things up as well as Mordo, who proves to be one of the most complex characters, not only in this movie but the entire MCU. Benedict Wong is also wonderful as Wong, pulling some the biggest laughs of the film and Rachel McAdams is amazing as always, I just wish she was given more to do.

Though improvements could be made to the story and the villain, Doctor Strange still manages to be one of the most entertaining movies in their entire lineup. From the opening scene to the last you will be kept in a state of wonder and amazement as you watch things you know to be impossible be made a reality right in front of your eyes. If you are like me and adore the trippy and the weird, then this movie is most definitely for you. Go in with a completlely opened mind and come out stunned at the visual mastery put on display here. See this movie as big and as loud as possible and preferably in 3-D, you won't regret it. 

As always, thanks for reading and I am Zach Who Watches Movies. You can find me anytime on twitter @ZachWWMovies, smell ya later!