Doctor Strange – Film Review

With this being the 14th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this film definitely expands upon your ability of disbelief with introducing Magic to the universe. Doctor Strange overall is a very straightforward film that has so many new things to introduce to the audience that taking this route is the safe way to go to make sure it isn’t able to engage the audience. Benedict Cumberbatch becomes Doctor Stephen Strange very well, even with his American accent. By the end of the picture the character is fully realized with a complete arc.

Though it is not shown how he learns how to use magic like in Harry Potter, it is shown that he is learning it over an undisclosed period of time. The time stone is presented in this film — setting up to Avengers Infinity War. The stone is clearly explained on what it can do and how it can be used. The film has great moments with this artifact, especially in the 3rd act. I’m personally glad that they didn’t go with the ‘beam in the sky’ finale and something interesting and creative with closing the battle with a God.

Heroes like the Avengers protect the world from physical dangers. We safeguard it against more mystical threats.

Some of the weaker parts of the film were the fact that Christine Palmer doesn’t have too much to do in the film that has caused the Marvel films to have a ‘type’ when it comes to female protagonists in their pictures. I hope that her character is better used in other MCU films or the next Doctor Strange film. Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One was a great way to counter balance out the female protagonist problem. Also glad that it was no way a love interest — a teacher who works well with others. Karl Mordo and Wong were great additions to the film. Mordo is set up well to be a future villain in the MCU as he is in the comics. Wong should have had more to do and I’m glad to hear he’s in more MCU films to come. Glad to have more diversity on screen.

Overall this film is very straightforward with the structure of Iron Man but the mystical vibrancy of the Steve Ditko comics. Glad to see 3D used so very well in this film. The villain of Madds Mikkleson doesn’t help Marvel’s villain issue — but it doesn’t hurt it dramatically. I definitely recommend this film and look forward to seeing these characters again in future installments.

8.5/10

css.php Skip to content