Wednesday, September 16, 2020

My Review of Doctor Strange (2016)


Written by Jon Spaihts & Scott Derrickson & C Robert Cargill
Directed by Scott Derrickson

The Ancient One: "Arrogance and fear still keep you from learning the simplest and most significant lesson of all."
Dr. Stephen Strange: "Which is?"
The Ancient One: "It's not about you."

Two confessions before we begin this review - 1: both the MCU and DCEU need to go bigger with the magic/supernatural side of things and 2: aside from Sherlock (and now this role), I don't greatly care for Benedict Cumberbatch. I mean I like him, but I'm not greatly fussed about him as an actor. I'm probably going to lose some points for that one, aren't I?

In terms of the two roles that I like Cumberbatch, this one might actually being his best. He might be the most definitive 21st Century of a certain Detective but as a magician of the arts, this is easily his best role for me personally.

The origin is handled simply enough with Cumberbatch playing arrogant neurosurgeon Stephen Strange who finds himself unable to operate as a result of a car crash and even ex-girlfriend and fellow doctor, Christine (Rachel McAdams) isn't able to get Strange out of his depressive funk.

However a trip to Kamar-Taj and meeting up with Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and of course, meeting the Ancient One with some miscasting with Tilda Swinton changes Strange's life for the stranger, if I'm being perfectly honest. Now I like Swinton as an actor, and while I don't like social media pile ons about casting, even I think they should've gone for a different actor for this particular role. She does a decent job but she still feels miscast here.

Getting back to Stephen, he's suddenly found himself with a new magical skill set and it's not long before he soon crosses paths with a former student of the Ancient One, Kaecilius (Mads Mikkkelson). As baddies go, Kaecilius admittedly is a hit and miss first baddie for Strange. There's no denying that Cumberbatch and Mikkelson play off each other brilliantly, but at the same time, despite the cool visuals surrounding their big confrontation, I feel that Kaecilius went out on a whimper, which was a shame. 

However while Kaecilius was slightly hit and miss as a baddie, the movie was more successful in highlighting Mordo's growing disillusionment with the Ancient One as well as the addition of Wong (Benedict Wong) who became an ally of Strange's as the movie progressed. We've seen Wong in later movies but I'm hoping that Mordo will re-emerge in the upcoming sequel. As for Christine, it's a pretty thankless role for the brilliant McAdams. 

- The film was originally going to feature a bit with CERN but was scrapped for being too scientific for a magical based movie.
- Stan Lee's cameo was of a bus driver while Thor popped up in a mid credit sequence. Strange returned the favour by appearing briefly in Thor: Ragnorak.
- Originally Joaquin Phoenix was rumoured for the title role and while he probably would've worked, I think he was wise rejecting the role and taking on Joker years later.
- Chronology: After the events of Captain America: Civil War.

Doctor Strange easily would be a top ten contender for MCU movies for me (just narrowly missing the top five). I love the supernatural and magical side of things and it's great to see the MCU go all in with this debut for Strange and Benedict Cumberbatch really does nail the title role. Issues with the Ancient One and main baddies aside, this definitely is one of the strongest MCU debut solo outings for a main hero.

Rating: 8 out of 10

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