In my attempt to catch up with the movies of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), since I left off with Captain America: Civil War, it only makes sense to discuss the MCU film that followed right after, Doctor Strange. Strange is the fourteenth film in the MCU, focusing on supernatural superhero, Doctor Strange, a master of the mystic arts, also in comics having the title of the Sorcerer Supreme. The character was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko for Marvel Comics in the 1960s. The film focuses on the character of Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) a skilled, competent, yet arrogant and self-absorbed surgeon who is the best at his craft. That is until an incredibly life-changing car accident cripples his hands, making him unable to perform surgery again. Desperately searching methods to live life the way he used to, and find some purpose in his life, Strange comes across the mystical Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), a master of the mystic arts. The Ancient One teaches Strange the ways of sorcery that helps him find his new purpose, to protect his world from threatening forces of darkness. Though the movie can be quite predictable and standard, it still comes across as a solidly entertaining experience.
Benedict Cumberbatch who plays Strange, does what Cumberbatch does best , being impressive as always. Because of his performance Doctor Strange has become one of my favorite characters of the MCU to watch. He does amazing as the arrogant and self-absorbed Strange, then later the determined and master of the mystic arts Strange. One of my only gripes, and really its only a nitpick, I wish Cumberbatch spoke with his natural British accent. I think Strange would come a lot more cool if he spoke with a British accent rather than unnatural American one. But you know what Benedict did a good of a job as he could. Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One is also very likable. There was of course a lot of controversy surrounding her casting, as the original character in the comics is of Asian background, despite that though Swinton does come across as the powerful, mysterious, wise, and all knowing being strong enough to train someone like Strange. Chiwetel Ejiofor plays another sorcerer named Karl Mordo, who becomes one of Strange's sorcerer colleagues. This character is one of the more complex of the film. He starts with one mind set at the beginning of the film, but the more he learns about some of the downsides of the world of the mystical sorcerers, the more he second guesses his purpose of being a sorcerer. There is Wong (Benedict Wong), another sorcerer while wise and somewhat strict and old-fashioned, still comes across as an entertaining character to watch whenever he is on screen. That is of course thanks to Wong's performance. There are however a couple of characters that do come across a little one note. There is Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams), a surgeon colleague of Strange and possible ex-romantic flame as well. McAdams can very well be an impressive performer in other films, but she is not used to her potential in this film. Her character is just supposed be an emotional support for Strange whenever he is emotionally or physically strained. Then there is Mads Mikkelsen as the villain Kaecilius, a dark sorcerer who strayed away from the teachings of the Ancient One. Again Mikkelsen can be an entertaining and impressive actor, but he is also wasted to play a one-dimensional and quite frankly a forgettable antagonist. So a good fraction of the characters are entertaining to watch, while another good fraction is quite forgettable.
Like I stated earlier the story can be quite predictable and standard, especially being an superhero origin film. But with the performance of Cumberbatch of Strange, he does well to carry the film. Strange's story arc is interesting to watch as goes from being an arrogant surgeon to a respectable, well meaning, and courageous sorcerer that belongs in the pantheon of heroes that reside in the MCU. Maybe if the antagonists and some of the supporting characters were little more of a stand out, the predictable and average plot probably could've been overlooked.
One of the aspects of the film that is truly outstanding, and what makes this movie quite memorable to some are the wondrous visual effects. The visual effects in this film are truly something to admire and marvel (no pun intended). Whenever a sorcerer like Strange or the Ancient One performs one of their mystical reality bending tricks, it truly feels like you are part of the action. And speaking of action, the visual help the action scenes be quite entertaining and engaging. I haven't really seen scenes like these in action movies or even comic book superhero films. I guess with some elements being forgettable, there is at least an aspect that stands out, making Doctor Strange a unique selection in the MCU.
Even though Doctor Strange has some baggage to carry, like a couple of forgettable characters and a very basic plot, Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange, the visual effects, and action scenes make it a worthwhile watch. Even though it is not in my top 10 of the MCU films, I still like to revisit this film whenever I do get the chance.
GRADE: B
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