Doctor Strange - directed by Scott Derrickson
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen, Benedict Wong, Scott Adkins, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benjamin Bratt, Amy Landecker
With no pun intended at all - this truly is a strange movie.
Much was made of what a risk "Guardians of the Galaxy" was for Marvel with its Sci-Fi space battley settings and the light hearted tone.
Even more than that - it was a property not widely known outside of comic book fan circles.
Well here comes the same old 'problem' again with a less well known character than any of the Avengers and a setting pretty far removed not only from the other Marvel characters but any other movie character or property entirely.
But we all know how the 'risky' "Guardians of the Galaxy" turned out - a mega hit that was universally loved.
I suspect that a lot of the success of that movie was that it arrived when maybe a little Marvel fatigue was setting in. Even though there had been a string of truly excellent movies there is a point where you can have too much of a good thing.
Guardians changed things up marvellously and for me at least reinvigorated my love of the MCU movies.
Well, guess what?
"Doctor Strange" has done that too.
I started by saying that this is a strange movie and the reasons are many.
Firstly it is a small movie wrapped in a huge ones clothing.
There are not a huge number of characters and plotwise it is very simple....
Highly regarded super surgeon Dr Stephen Strange busts up his hands in a high speed car crash and sets off to Nepal to find a mystic who he believes can cure him and get him back in the operating theatre, scalpel in hand.
Instead he is shown that the world exists in an infinite number of layers that can be controlled if one can tap into the powers within.
Of course there also are bad guys hellbent on utilising these powers for evil purposes.
In this case handing the planet over to a dark galactic heavy named Dormammu.
But if you have seen the trailer for this film you will know that on top of this premise are some of the most mind-bending, eye-popping visual effects to ever grace the screen.
Think "The Matrix", "Inception" and the last fifteen minutes of "2001: A Space Odyssey" all merged together and directed by M C Escher and you will almost be there.
The visual effects in "Dr Strange" are extremely, impressively intricate.
I cannot imagine the storyboarding and pre-visualisation that must have been done in preparation for this film.
But at heart this is the story of one man learning that he isn't the centre of the universe after all.
The character list may number a mere handful but to the last they are cast to perfection.
Benedict Cumberbatch is almost a no-brainer as Stephen Strange.
He is physically a good match but he can also create intelligent, arrogant characters who still remain likeable.
Basically that sentence describes Stephen Strange.
Exhibit A is of course his excellent "Sherlock" tv series but refer also to "The Imitation Game" and "Star Trek Into Darkness".
Chiwetel Ejiofor brings a cool, calm sophistication to the role of Mordo with some hidden depth that will no doubt come in handy down the line. I was reminded frequently of his great character from "Serenity".
And then there's Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One.
Yes- technically this character is usually a man but who could be more perfect to play a mystical being of extraordinary power than an actress who not only has an air of otherworldliness about her but a history of transforming herself into unusual characters?
Not only does Swinton deliver in the mysticism stakes but her powers of biffo are mighty impressive too.
But if this movie has a true secret weapon it is Rachel McAdams.
McAdams' Christine Palmer proves to be an ideal foil for Stephen Strange's cold, self important arrogance.
She is the real world anchor for Strange and provides much needed perspective as a sort of audience stand-in. During some of the 'what the hell is this new weirdness?!' moments it is Christine who centres everything and gives us someone to relate to.
But she also provides an unexpected benefit...
This is a genuinely funny film too but a large number of laughs come courtesy of McAdams performance and the chemistry between she and Cumberbatch is terrific.
The dialogue between the pair sizzles. An early scene as the pair walk out of the operating theatre is a gem topped only by a later one about cults that is as slickly a written and performed exchange as I have seen this year.
I have no doubt that "Doctor Strange" will be yet another smash hit for Marvel Studios and it fully deserves whatever success it has.
I have seen it twice now and enjoyed it even more the second time.
This is a riot of a film - unique, funny, exciting and highly entertaining.
It is deliberately and perfectly paced with some standout dialogue.
The 'quiet' moments are as much fun as the larger moments but wow- when those come.....
I had no idea that Scott Derrickson the director of low budget horror fare such as "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" and "Deliver Us From Evil" had this sort of effects heavy uber-production in him but obviously the smart people at Marvel did.
The studio has consistently chosen unusual directors for their projects who turn out to instead be the perfect choice.
The action set pieces here are utterly incredible with landscapes and cityscapes contorting and reshaping before our eyes, time reversing and restarting and fight scenes that defy gravity just the start of what Derrickson has in store.
And it all looks amazing thanks to the folks at ILM and director of photography Ben Davis who also worked on "Guardians of the Galaxy", "Avengers: Age of Ultron", "Kick-Ass" and "Wrath of the Titans".
Special credit to Michael Giacchino's score which is equal parts classical, mythical and whimsical and just perfect.
And for the love of all that is holy and sacred -see this on an IMAX screen in 3D - it is an absolute freaking showcase for the large screen, booming sound and superior 3D presentation.
* And of course stay right until the very end for not one but two credit sequences - one crowd pleasing fun - the other indications of what is to come.
RATING: 88 / 100
CONCLUSION: Yet more evidence that the Marvel juggernaut is not slowing down one iota and if the quality continues like this it is a good job too. Terrific, unique fun brought to life with top drawer effects, a great script, terrific score and a superb cast.
Screenplay: Scott Derrickson & Robert Cargill
Music Score by: Michael Giacchino
Cinematography: Ben Davis
Cinematography: Ben Davis
Edited by: Sabrina Plisco & Wyatt Smith
Running Time: 115 minutes
Language: English
Rated: M - Comic book violence of the usual Marvel level
Running Time: 115 minutes
Language: English
Rated: M - Comic book violence of the usual Marvel level
Much was made of what a risk "Guardians of the Galaxy" was for Marvel with its Sci-Fi space battley settings and the light hearted tone.
Even more than that - it was a property not widely known outside of comic book fan circles.
Well here comes the same old 'problem' again with a less well known character than any of the Avengers and a setting pretty far removed not only from the other Marvel characters but any other movie character or property entirely.
But we all know how the 'risky' "Guardians of the Galaxy" turned out - a mega hit that was universally loved.
I suspect that a lot of the success of that movie was that it arrived when maybe a little Marvel fatigue was setting in. Even though there had been a string of truly excellent movies there is a point where you can have too much of a good thing.
Guardians changed things up marvellously and for me at least reinvigorated my love of the MCU movies.
Well, guess what?
"Doctor Strange" has done that too.
I started by saying that this is a strange movie and the reasons are many.
Firstly it is a small movie wrapped in a huge ones clothing.
There are not a huge number of characters and plotwise it is very simple....
Highly regarded super surgeon Dr Stephen Strange busts up his hands in a high speed car crash and sets off to Nepal to find a mystic who he believes can cure him and get him back in the operating theatre, scalpel in hand.
Instead he is shown that the world exists in an infinite number of layers that can be controlled if one can tap into the powers within.
Of course there also are bad guys hellbent on utilising these powers for evil purposes.
In this case handing the planet over to a dark galactic heavy named Dormammu.
But if you have seen the trailer for this film you will know that on top of this premise are some of the most mind-bending, eye-popping visual effects to ever grace the screen.
Think "The Matrix", "Inception" and the last fifteen minutes of "2001: A Space Odyssey" all merged together and directed by M C Escher and you will almost be there.
The visual effects in "Dr Strange" are extremely, impressively intricate.
I cannot imagine the storyboarding and pre-visualisation that must have been done in preparation for this film.
But at heart this is the story of one man learning that he isn't the centre of the universe after all.
 |
| Casting is spot with each and every role populated by just the right choice |
Benedict Cumberbatch is almost a no-brainer as Stephen Strange.
He is physically a good match but he can also create intelligent, arrogant characters who still remain likeable.
Basically that sentence describes Stephen Strange.
Exhibit A is of course his excellent "Sherlock" tv series but refer also to "The Imitation Game" and "Star Trek Into Darkness".
Chiwetel Ejiofor brings a cool, calm sophistication to the role of Mordo with some hidden depth that will no doubt come in handy down the line. I was reminded frequently of his great character from "Serenity".
And then there's Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One.
Yes- technically this character is usually a man but who could be more perfect to play a mystical being of extraordinary power than an actress who not only has an air of otherworldliness about her but a history of transforming herself into unusual characters?
Not only does Swinton deliver in the mysticism stakes but her powers of biffo are mighty impressive too.
But if this movie has a true secret weapon it is Rachel McAdams.
McAdams' Christine Palmer proves to be an ideal foil for Stephen Strange's cold, self important arrogance.
She is the real world anchor for Strange and provides much needed perspective as a sort of audience stand-in. During some of the 'what the hell is this new weirdness?!' moments it is Christine who centres everything and gives us someone to relate to.
But she also provides an unexpected benefit...
This is a genuinely funny film too but a large number of laughs come courtesy of McAdams performance and the chemistry between she and Cumberbatch is terrific.
The dialogue between the pair sizzles. An early scene as the pair walk out of the operating theatre is a gem topped only by a later one about cults that is as slickly a written and performed exchange as I have seen this year.
 |
| These shots merely hint at the wonderful lunacy of the spectacular visual effects in Doctor Strange |
I have seen it twice now and enjoyed it even more the second time.
This is a riot of a film - unique, funny, exciting and highly entertaining.
It is deliberately and perfectly paced with some standout dialogue.
The 'quiet' moments are as much fun as the larger moments but wow- when those come.....
I had no idea that Scott Derrickson the director of low budget horror fare such as "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" and "Deliver Us From Evil" had this sort of effects heavy uber-production in him but obviously the smart people at Marvel did.
The studio has consistently chosen unusual directors for their projects who turn out to instead be the perfect choice.
The action set pieces here are utterly incredible with landscapes and cityscapes contorting and reshaping before our eyes, time reversing and restarting and fight scenes that defy gravity just the start of what Derrickson has in store.
And it all looks amazing thanks to the folks at ILM and director of photography Ben Davis who also worked on "Guardians of the Galaxy", "Avengers: Age of Ultron", "Kick-Ass" and "Wrath of the Titans".
Special credit to Michael Giacchino's score which is equal parts classical, mythical and whimsical and just perfect.
And for the love of all that is holy and sacred -see this on an IMAX screen in 3D - it is an absolute freaking showcase for the large screen, booming sound and superior 3D presentation.
* And of course stay right until the very end for not one but two credit sequences - one crowd pleasing fun - the other indications of what is to come.
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