In Doctor Strange, Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a cocky, arrogant, world renowned surgeon that is passionate about his craft. One night, a terrible car accident renders his hands useless and ultimately brings the good doctor to his knees. Desperate to return to his old life, he travels all the way to Kathmandu in search of a cure and instead finds The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), who agrees to tutor Strange in the mystical arts. It just so happens the timing couldn't be better as one of her former pupils, Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), has returned with a plan to tear our world apart in order to save it. It's up to Doctor Strange and crew to stop him before it is too late.
Benedict Cumberbatch is superb as Doctor Stephen Strange. Given, this is a role he could easily perform in his sleep, but he still nails it (Only negative I'll say is his natural British accent shone through sometimes). He's pretty arrogant, but still very likable, empathetic, and charming. He also almost always looks good. I definitely felt for the poor guy and his plight. I'd say he's easily one of my favorite Marvel characters (I may like him more than Captain America and Iron Man). Tilda Swinton was superb as The Ancient One, imbuing her role with a sense of power, intelligence and kindness. I really liked her and she's in a good deal of the film. Mads Mikkelsen is also fantastic as Kaecilius. I'd say he's one of the better Marvel villains I've seen, and he manages to earn a few chuckles along the way. Rachel McAdams is sadly underutilized as Christine Palmer, a fellow doctor and potential love interest for Strange. She isn't in the film much, but plays an important role in one of the film's battles. Let's hope she gets an upped role in one of the future Marvel films.
Doctor Strange is a film about mysticism, and as such it is appropriately trippy and mind-bending at points. I'm super into this kind of stuff, but even I still found my head starting to spin at times when pondering the deep ideas this film presents. The visuals in the film are also gorgeous, fantastic, and psychedelic (This would definitely be one of the films I would strongly recommend you see in 3D. I chose not to go with this option, and am kicking myself for my bad decision). The film manages to move at a pretty decent pace, though there are moments where it drags its feet a bit. Luckily, there is always an action scene waiting around the corner. Doctor Strange houses some of the best action scenes in any Marvel film PERIOD. Each one is inventive, unique, and memorable.
Doctor Strange is the most different Marvel film we've gotten so far, and it's all the better for it. It's weird, psychedelic, funny (The film is indeed a good deal funny, though the humor doesn't always work), and very cool (I know I'll definitely be seeing it again, and this time in 3D). I have no qualms with ranking this as one of Marvel's best (I'd say it's between Doctor Strange and Guardians of The Galaxy for my favorite Marvel film), and I look forward to seeing Doctor Strange (and his cool cape sidekick) again in Avengers: Infinity War.
5 STARS
Both end credits scenes aren't necessarily essential, but are still treats for fans of Marvel.
Chiwetel Ejiofor is fine in his role here, but I expect him to have a bigger role to play in future Strange installments. Also really enjoyed Benedict Wong as Wong.
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