Marvel's Doctor Strange (2016) - Written Review

***SPOILER-FREE***

The impossibilities are endless, promises Doctor Strange - the latest in a long line of Marvel movies which introduces us to a brand-new corner of this shared universe with mysticism, magic and alternate realities - not to mention another significant sci-fi element I won't mention in case of spoilers. The trailers made everyone stare at their laptop or cinema screens in awe at the sheer scale of the movie, and if you think that's pretty out-there, the full film itself is gonna be one huge shock to the system for you.

So Doctor Strange follows....well, Doctor Strange, who used to an acclaimed neurosurgeon who became a medical celebrity and also very, very rich until a car accident causes his hands to be horribly damaged to the extent that Strange can no longer write properly, let alone perform surgery. In a desperate attempt to get his life back on track he spends as much money as he has - and more - to find a cure, leading him to Kathmandu where he meets the Ancient One - a mystical sorceress with expertise in what is essentially magic.

I suppose the first thing that really took me aback that I wasn't expecting was just how horrible Strange is at the beginning of the movie. He's egotistical, arrogant and self-obsessed, meaning that all of the jokes at his expense from the sorcerers in Kathmandu don't feel harsh at all. He's not a nice bloke, and the film is very much his story of not so much accepting heroism but broadening his mind in both a mystical sense and to make him more aware and considerate of everyone around him. Benedict Cumberbatch sells the hell out of the role - it's the sort of part he usually excels in and here it's difficult not to get the odd flash of Sherlock or even Smaug in his performance. The American accent and goatee might throw some off at first, but certainly by the end of the film I was invested in Strange as a character as opposed to Cumberbatch playing a role.

Chiwetel Ejiofor co-stars as Mordo, a character whose role in the film seems minor in a plot-sense but the way his character represents the true morality of the sorcerers is an interesting idea I'd be intrigued to see explored further in future instalments - and don't worry, Marvel's making sure you'll be booking your tickets for those too by the end of the film. Tilda Swinton adds a lot of entertaining comedy into the film as the Ancient One, and while Mads Mikkelson could've done with a stronger character, he is very creepy and imposing as Kaecilius - especially in that creepy make-up. Benedict Wong is very entertaining as...well, Wong, and Rachel McAdams gives a strong performance as Strange's sort-of love interest Christine.

But honestly I really wanna talk about the visuals because holy moly there are some epic sequences in this film. Top to bottom the action sequences are insane, all-over-the-place and so completely impractical that if this film doesn't get an award for best visual effects I've got to be even more blown away over what beats it, because Doctor Strange reaches the bar set by films like The Matrix and Inception and then jumps so high I'll be amazed to see what they do for a sequel. I'm not even sure how to describe some sequences. The whole multiverse concept kind of takes the whole Marvel film series to a completely different level, meaning that anyone thinking this will be a run-of-the-mill flick from the studio who can seemingly do no wrong will definitely be surprised. The ideas and potential established in this film makes the whole pseudo-magic in Thor look realistic in comparison.

On a technical level, Doctor Strange surpasses any expectations I had for it, with the New York chase sequence being an incredible feat of CGI work, and the script is definitely there to match it. The quick-quips from Cumberbatch may remind some a little too much of Tony Stark, but he has so many brilliant interactions with Benedict Wong and Tilda Swinton especially that any of those thoughts soon drift away. Oh, and the way Strange defeats the big bad? Genius.

Michael Giacchino composes the score for Doctor Strange and...well, what do you expect from Giacchino? He manages to make the soundtrack very much its own, and while there is the odd track that sounds a little too generic, most of his work on the film is excellent, standing out against the crowd of good, but not all too memorable Marvel tunes, although my personal favourite has to be "The Master of the Mystic" - sadly only used in the end credits but a great song. Giacchino is one of my favourite Hollywood composers and I hope he comes back to do another Marvel movie somewhere down the line.

So yeah, is Doctor Strange any good? Well, if I haven't sold the movie to you yet I've completely failed in this review. Doctor Strange is a brilliant, creative, mesmerising performance with the best action sequences of the year, the best visual effects (unless Rogue One wants to prove me wrong) and overall the most memorable film I've seen so far this year, and this is a year with some pretty memorable movies. Swiss Army Man anyone? While yes, the film's villains are weak (even if the main villain - whom I won't spoil here - is easily the most inventive of any superhero film I've ever seen), the overall product is one of love, care, devotion and little bit of insanity. Doctor Strange is a truly extraordinary experience that I highly recommend to see on the biggest screen possible, and if you can in 3D. I went to go and see it in IMAX 3D and I have to admit that it is THE best film I have ever seen in either 3D or IMAX. So yeah. I thought Doctor Strange was pretty good.

I give Marvel's Doctor Strange a 9/10.