With the world’s most successful film franchise under its belt in the form of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios is admirably open to taking some risks.
“Doctor Strange” is an origin story of a magical world that feels less like a superhero movie and more like “The Matrix.”
Stephen Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, is a gifted but arrogant neurosurgeon whose career is upended by a car accident that damages his hands. Desperate to return to his work, he eventually stumbles upon a monastery in Nepal that he thinks can heal him.
Instead, he meets the Ancient One, played by Tilda Swinton, an immortal sorcerer who shows him multiple dimensions and magical powers. Strange’s response: “Teach me.”
“Doctor Strange” opens up to a more magical angle, which is both a benefit and a little bit strange.
The good news is that when director Scott Derrickson of “Sinister” goes into the magical world, he goes all in. The magic powers in the film, ranging from wall crawling fistfights to “Inception” level bending buildings, are not only visually creative, but used in a unique fashion.
The downside is that because Marvel has been holding back these magical powers, most of the film’s first half is spent explaining how it works.
The actors in the film are dynamite. Cumberbatch not only nails Strange’s physicality, but balances the humor of the character with more dramatic scenes. Chiwetel Ejiofor could read a phone book and make it sound fantastic, so Mordo is compelling and multilayered. Rachel McAdams as Strange’s colleague is a nice levity and Mads Mikkelsen makes a great enigmatic villain.
“Doctor Strange” is one of Marvel’s more creative films, featuring a fantastic cast and some insanely trippy visuals. It’s not Marvel’s best work, but it is a solid introduction to the character and sets up a grand plot to follow.