[Review] Doctor Strange (7.5/10)

I had a very different movie in mind before going in to Doctor Strange. Sad to say, it left me slightly disappointed. Maybe because I was never got into the comic books? Maybe.

When Marvel Studios announced that they had signed Scott Derrickson to direct this movie, I thought we would be getting a horror genre. I thought there would be elements of horror and thriller and suspense. I thought there may even be some jump scares. But as it turned out, this movie is more Marvel than ever.

While I appreciated the jokes, strangely enough, I could have done without them. Especially when something was trying to wipe away tears. Funny, yes; but didn't have to be there.

What I loved most but didn't get enough of from this movie were the dramatic exchanges between Benedict Cumberbatch and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Two of the finest actors we have today in Hollywood, and I ate up every scene they were together.

What I also didn't get enough of were Mads Mikkelsen and Tilda Swinton. I thought they could have provided another dramatic exchange, much like the above-mentioned, but that was an opportunity wasted.

I was also really impressed with the visual effects. The way the earth folded, was 10 times better than what we got in Inception. Just for those scenes, and there were quite a few, this movie needs to be watched on IMAX 3D in order to get the full and complete effects. Sadly I am nowhere near one.

As far as the story went, it wasn't the best, to be honest. It was very simple and basic, but complicated at the same time in the sense that all the lore presented to us didn't have any chance to breathe. I wouldn't mind another 30 minutes worth of storytelling about the Sorcerer Supreme mythology and what they safeguard.

But as a Marvel movie, it works. The first time Stephen Strange shaved and walked across the patio in the dark, Cumberbatch took my breath away because he looked exactly like Strange. And the first time Strange levitated with the cape as he casted a spell, I almost cried because once again it's the pages of a comic book brought to life. I was once again reminded how lucky I am to be able to witness the rise of Marvel Studios.

Doctor Strange to me worked best when he made an appearance in other comic books like the Avengers or Fantastic Four as a supporting character. Maybe he can do the same for me in the MCU too.