Doctor Strange Movie Review
The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues with Doctor Strange where one man introduces us to a world that is indeed both thrilling and strange.
Benedit Cumberbatch plays Doctor Stephen Strange, a famously arrogant neurosurgeon who is at the top of his field. He thinks he is invincible when he suffers a tragedy that permanently alters his life, spiraling him into a deep depression in a desperate attempt to heal himself. A chance encounter with someone sends Doctor Strange on a journey to Nepal where he has everything to lose in his attempt to find The Ancient One.
This high fantasy movie offers a unique look beyond our world into the world beyond where suspending your belief into only things that can be seen in this world opens you to new mind blowing experiences.
As with any new Marvel character introduction, there is often the fear that the main actor does not have the ability to be seen by fans as adequate for the role. Ever since discovering Benedict Cumberbatch in The Fifth Estate, we have been eagerly awaiting more movies from him. But can he stand up to the demanding role of a Marvel superhero? Without a doubt, Cumberbatch was an excellent choice for Doctor Strange. It seems as if the Doctor Strange character was made to fit him, instead of the other way around.
Ever since Edna Mode declared in The Incredibles that superheros should not wear capes, it has been an important factor in determining if a cape is going to save a superhero or be their peril. The red Cloak of Levitation that Doctor Strange wears is explained in the movie and provides humorous moments as we see the personality of the cloak emerge.
Tilda Swinton often portrays unique roles that many other actors could never have the ability to perform well. She continues her unique roles where her physical and mental skills artistically transform her into a completely different person than we have seen before. She is a delight to watch and is thrilling to have her added as another strong female Marvel character.
The Third Eye is quite a strange concept to embrace, especially when Kaecilius, played by Mads Mikkelsen, is one who embraces it. Upon first seeing Mikkelsen, it was hard to move past seeing him as anyone other than the Hannibal Lector character he played but his transformation and use of the Third Eye totally changed his look.
Stan Lee’s cameo is very brief but hilarious. As with any Marvel movie, you are not a true fan unless you stay through all of the credits. There are two extra scenes. One is very early and the other one is at the very end of the credits.
Even though Doctor Strange is in the Marvel universe and I am a huge fan of Marvel, this was honestly not a film I was interested in seeing. After watching the movie it was surprising that I actually enjoyed seeing the movie and am now a huge fan of Doctor Strange. The opening scenes were way out of my comfort zone and definitely asked me to expand my ideas of the world around us. This comes from a girl who dresses up as a Star Wars character to spread smiles to others, so I am used to seeing the world in a different way. Thanks to Doctor Strange, a marvelous and thrilling a world we cannot see awaits for us to discover it, if only we just believe.
Parental Advisory: (SPOILER ALERT)
As far as Marvel Movies goes, this one is quite different than the others.
There was only one noteable curse word, which was perfectly timed; however this is not a movie for younger fans. The visual sequences where belief in our world is suspended can be simply overwhelming for young children with the fast paced eye movement involved. These same scenes will also be incredibly overwhelming to those with a tendency for motion sickness.
Since Doctor Strange is indeed an actual doctor who specializes in neurosurgery, there are many scenes where surgery is involved.
There are multiple deaths and gruesome fight scenes, which is typical of Marvel movies.
We took our 13 year old son to the media preview for this movie and plan to watch it with our ten year old son also.
If you are like me, and had absolutely zero knowledge of Doctor Strange and worry you will miss out, then you will be just fine. The storyline does an excellent job introduces who Doctor Stephen Strange is, what his issues are, and his transformation into a Marvel superhero. I never read the Doctor Strange comic books or read about his character before seeing the movie yet I missed out on nothing.
Doctor Strange is rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action throughout and an intense crash sequence.
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[quote]From Marvel Studios comes “Doctor Strange,” the story of world-famous neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he is forced to look for healing, and hope, in an unlikely place—a mysterious enclave known as Kamar-Taj. He quickly learns that this is not just a center for healing but also the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying our reality. Before long Strange—armed with newly acquired magical powers—is forced to choose whether to return to his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.[/quote]
- Release Date: November 4, 2016
- Rating: PG-13
- Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benjamin Bratt, Scott Adkins, Mads Mikkelsen, and Tilda Swinton
- Director: Scott Derrickson
- Producer: Kevin Feige
- Executive Producers: Louis D-Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Stephen Broussard, Charles Newirth, Stan Lee
- Writers: Jon Spaihts and Scott Derrickson & C. Robert Cargill
- Studio: Marvel Studios
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