So, one thing you have to understand abobut Doctor Strange is that he's very, well, strange. He's unlike any Marvel hero we've come to know. He has a unique way of dealing with things. So when I was anticipating this movie, I was very excited to see those unique elements. I was incrediblby disappointed. That's not to say I didn't enjoy this moive. The enterainment value is definitely there. I'm going to rag on this film a bit, and then I'll have some good to say, I promise.
Marvel has established a formula. It's working for them so far. It worked with the Avengers films. It worked well with the Captain America films, two of the Iron Man films and essentially everything they've released with the exception of the Thor films (Which, I hate, but that's another story.) Marvel does not stary from this formula in Doctor Strange. At all. This is the one film I was really hoping they would do something different. Something a little strange is the film's title would suggest. Alas, they did not. They stuck to their money making formula which goes as follows.
1. The first film is always always always first half origin sotry, and then epic earth shattering, city crumbling kung fu, explosion filled action.
2. The films must always feature an under-written and basically unecessary female love interest. If you're going to give an actress 15 minutes of screen time, why not get someone cheaper than Rachel McAdams? Why not that cute girl in the Verizon commercials?
3. There must be a reference to the Avengers. Or two. Or three. Or 10. (We get it. it's the same universe. This concept is not new to us anymore.)
4. Spoiler Alert! There must always be a cameo from an Avenger. Yes, there's one in here too. While that might get alot of Marvel fans excited, which I totally understand, I was really hoping this would be somewhat more isolated from the other 12 storylines in the Marvel universe.
5. COMEDY! The movie must be filled with quippy one liners throughout. Even when the characters, or the actors playing them aren't funny. *cough* *Thor* *cough* Everyone in the Marvel Universe is a witty A-hole who use piercing comebacks to make the characters around them feel stupid.
6. A post credit scene or two hinting at the next Marvel Universe film must happen.
I'm sure there are more that I haven't noticed yet, but you get the idea. Doctor Strange includes all of these and does not veer from this path for even a minute. That was probably my biggest disappointment. I get it, that has nothing to do with the movie in it's own right, but there's more. The whole film is very special effects heavy and the plot itself is very shallow, which doesn't always, or ever actually make a great film. There are funny moments, but alot of the comedy feels forced. For instance when the chubby librabrian introduces himself to Doctor Strange as "Wong". Doctor Strange looks at him and says "Just Wong?.... what like Beyonce" *pause for laughter*. I think he might have even looked at the camera. I may be imagining that. I swear, I was waiting for a graphic to pop up on the screen reading "Laugh Now". That's not the only example, but yes, it's forced and doesn't feel natrual as it does in Civil War, and that, folks, is the difference between good writing and adequate writing.
So what did I enjoy about "Doctor Strange"? I actually was very impressed by the performance of Peppermint Cumbersnitch as Steven Strange. Yes, he's witty, yes, he's arrogant, and on the surface he looks like Tony Stark 2.0 (Tony Stark with wizard powers!), but early in the film you genuinely have a dislike for the character. Early on, you almost feel the urge to root against him because he is such a huge Di... Uh, jerk. As the story progresses you can sense his desperation, and his desire to make things right again. That is 100% Benderlin Cumberbun (trust me, the writing didn't help him.) As for the visual effects. Yes, they are quite stunning, quite mesmerizing, absolutely beautiful. Original? Not so fast. Just take everyting inception did and fold it in half until the world looks like a giant kolidescope. Yes, I know I'm making fun of it and complimenting it at the same time. Finally, the ONE things that is unique about this movie is how Doctor Strange handles the climactic situation ( I can't really call it a battle.) Unlike using his new found ability of kung fu to defeat the giant purple piece of bacteria with the corderoy face. (likeI he does to all the other bad guys.)He tramps him in a never anding time loop and bargains with him. I did really appreciate that.
Overall, this is a very enjoyable film. You have to hand it to Marvel, they know what they're doing, they know what people want and they keep shoving down our throats, and we love it! It could be worse! (Suicide Squad)! If I had 5 stars to give, I would give it 3. I would recommend it, but don't go into expecting anything different or original.
