I thought this movie was amazing and Benedict was perfect in the role. The acting all around was good and the action and magic scenes were really clever and imaginative. My only problem is I felt like more often than not the humor fell flat. Usually Marvel is a home run in this aspect. There were some serious moments that really didn't need to be ruined by a joke. That aside, can't wait to own on blu ray. Also, my theater was quite empty for a 8:00 showing. For a huge theater there were only like 20 people there....
What happens when a superhero film, a 1970's style Kung fu film, and a Pink Floyd music video walk into a bar together? You get one of the most stunning films in the comic book genre in recent memory. Doctor Strange is a visual tour de force that mixes big spectacle with a bigger heart, in a familiar package. While it's easy to dismiss this as "just another Marvel movie," or "just another superhero film", this couldn't be farther from the case.
While the film offers familiar beats that we expect from a superhero origin tale, director Scott Derrickson pushes the film past those limits. Instead, we're treated to a film that tests faith, reality, and the human spirit in many ways, and asks the viewer to open their minds to something more. To do this, you need a window into that world, and one who we can journey with, root for, and feel for.
At the beginning, it's hard to imagine someone like Benedict Cumberbatch's Stephen Strange is one who an audience can rally behind. He's an arrogant man, who's life is fulfilled by his accomplishments an notoriety, not the actual good it does people. So when his gift for healing is taken from him, he's on a crash course to fix himself, but not in the way he expects. Cumberbatch just exudes charisma, and brings Strange from the comic panel to life brilliantly. This is the living, breathing creation of Steve Ditko and Stan Lee, and it's fantastic seeing the character on screen. Especially with someone like Cumberbatch, who can bring so many layers to the character.
Unfortunately, outside of Cumberbatch, and Tilda Swinton's Ancient One, we don't get to spend a lot of time with the other characters in the film. Everyone is good in their roles, but this is Strange's story, and it means others are unfortunately pushed to the side. Thankfully, Derrickson makes sure that even if they have reduced screen time, they leave an impact, with no one feeling wasted, so much as leaving you wanting more. The only character who unfortunately doesn't feel that way is the film's villain, played by Mads Mikkelsen. He's underwritten, and seems more like a stock villain, instead of being built up as a threat. He's lost himself to a dark power, and wants to wipe out the world in the process. That's sadly where there character begins and ends, and leaves no sort of lasting impression.
But most importantly, outside of bringing Strange to life, was bringing to life the comic itself. Steve Ditko and Stan Lee created a comic with psychedelic and trippy visuals, that would come to define the character's entire history. Derrickson, with his amazing visual effects department, have found a way to translate that into a live action setting that would make Ditko and Pink Floyd proud. It's unlike anything you've seen in a film before, which is something we as filmgoers rarely get to say. From the mind bending visuals of the world twisting and turning around our hero, to the other worldly settings of the different realms, the film is a visual feast that will leave filmgoers enthralled in the world.
The story does have some familiar beats throughout, so at times it does feel like a film you've seen. But thankfully, the film shifts gears quick enough to let it feel fresh and unique, as well as familiar. The film would also be better off with having dropped some of the humor throughout, which undermines small parts of the film, or just falls flat. The Marvel films have constantly come under fire for the humor, and while I find this film has a better balance than some of the others, it still has a slight issue where it sticks out.
Doctor Strange is a film that is familiar at times, but the familiarity wears off when the film becomes its own beast. Anchored down by an excellent performance by Benedict Cumberbatch, and directed wonderfully by Scott Derrickson, the film is another great addition to the ever growing Marvel Cinematic Universe. With breathtaking visuals and some mind bending special effects, the film is unlike any comic book film before it, standing out above the rest as something fresh, fun, and exciting. This has opened a whole new world to the MCU, as well as comic book films in general, and it'll be great to see where the film transports us next. Highly recommended.
A film so good I saw it back to back tonight. (7PM, 10PM)
I don't want to write out a long review so I'll summarize the highlights:
- Benedict Cumberbatch was wonderful as Doctor Strange
- The supporting cast had great chemistry
- 3D effects were pretty fun (also, loving the 3D Marvel Studios intro)
- One of the better origin stories in the MCU, if not the best since Iron Man.
- Great visuals, never felt forced...had a trippy vibe at times but it worked and even the stories played off of it.
- 5 silver bullet thumbs up for the Bob Seger reference
The okay, but not great parts:
- As always the villain roles are the leaker link (unless you're Loki) but I did find myself enjoying the dialogue here and found the resolve pretty hilarious and fun which worked well with the magical elements of the story
I don't have any outright negative complaints. I literally left the theater for 30 minutes and thought, nope...I'm skipping the Warriors vs Thunder and watching this again. This is the most fun I've had with an MCU film since GOTG. I can't wait to own this movie!
My friends and I just went to the non-3D showing and the visuals were still pretty cool without the 3D. One of my friends said there was an Easter egg Avengers mention early in the film
[Show spoiler]While driving and on the phone, just before his accident, one of the patients he rejected sounded like War Machine, who were the other 2?
Just a couple niggles: The passage of time during Strange's training was not mentioned. Madd's character was pretty light for the main villain, but its MCU, so par for the course. My ear's pretty sensitive to accents so I could hear BC's in some words where he wasn't quite successful at squashing his, but I think most people wouldn't have noticed it.
Overall, still a very solid entry for MCU. Not top tier, but a good film that could build upon, so along the line of the first Captain America. Maybe the next one could rival CA:WS?
Oh AMC were giving out mini-posters (14 x 9), there was a large stack at the customer service desk.
A good, yet perhaps overly formulaic and familiar Marvel entry. It does very well in explaining the complexities of the magical realms and all its peripheral aspects, but I found myself wanting the film to take a moment to let us ponder a bit with the characters, something that doesn't really happen until 2/3rds into the movie. It is visually stunning at times, and I really enjoyed Strange's ultimate solution to the main threat; I probably would have enjoyed it even more if it wasn't so similar to a particularly great recent moment of another Doctor on a certain BBC program. 7/10
I saw it last night. I liked it, but I didn't really LOVE it, and I'm not sure why. I wanna say part of it is that I don't really know anything about Doctor Strange, but that's how it was going into EVERY MCU movie for me lol (never read comics).
Still a good movie though. Awesome special effects!
So much going on in this movie. I'm going to have to see it again because I'm sure I missed some things.
This is one of the reasons why I need to see it again. That stated I was a tad bit disappointed; somehow I expected more. I would grade it right now as ok to good.
Wow, this thread was started over 8 years ago . Glad I didn't see it then as I would have probably spent the time thinking "I hope I'm still alive when this movie released"
It is interesting to go back and read those early posts
I thought this was alright, but definitely a lower tier Marvel movie for me. I don't really like Strange as a character at all, so I hope the theory about him being the new centerpiece once Iron Man is done isn't true lol. The visuals were definitely cool, though.
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. Glad I didn't see it then as I would have probably spent the time thinking "I hope I'm still alive when this movie released" 
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