Let’s Get Reel: The Doctor is In

Someday, we will sit by the fireplace and tell our grandchildren that yes, when the Cubs won the World Series, when Donald J. Trump ran for office, and when this trippy Marvel psychedelic fest released in theaters, we were all in our college years. Then they will know exactly what we did.

Sedatives aside, Doctor Strange stands soberly on its own as a kung-fu, magical,  superhero escapade. Its other status as the fourteenth entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and perhaps hundred-somethingth comic-book film, will give you all the plot details you need to know. Yet, in an age of approaching superhero fatigue, this origin story is surprisingly fresh, though I cannot call it original by any means.

Oddly, the origin itself is more interesting than the use of the acquired-powers. A renowned physician Stephen Strange loses mobility to his hands after a car accident; in search of rehabilitation, he instead finds a mystical realm of reality that he must defend. It is a well-paced build-up that leads to some really creative manipulations of time and space in the final act.

Leading man Cumberbatch really shines here. His American accent is very apparent (then again, you can almost hear his Sherlock of yore annunciating the love interest Emily Paaauulmer’s name), but there also appears to be a departure from the intelligent, asexual roles he is used to playing. The movie highlights from the beginning his character’s Achilles’ heel to be how egotistical he is. Yet, it is not quite the sarcastic, charming type of the Baker Street detective. He’s so unlikable from the beginning that it almost gets in the way when we are supposed to be rooting for his changed self by the end. Still, Cumberbatch is great at playing the ego, and it is only a matter of time before he excels among the other performers in the Universe.

The rest of the cast does quite well despite being given little to do. Rachel McAdams nails it whenever she is on screen, and Chiwetel – no, is it Chiwetel? Chiwetel? – is good as always, Mads Mikkelson of Hannibal fame does not really get to act. He merely runs around and shifts buildings, while Tilda Swinton performs quite well under the weight of her controversial casting as The Ancient One. The director, Scott Derickkson, is no stranger to the supernatural, reigning from horror films such as The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Sinister. This shows in sequences far more violence than the average Marvel film, but also how he paces the story with little beats of humor.

It is needless to say how fantastic the visuals are, though: so detailed and so immersive they alone require a second viewing. Spirits clash, buildings bend, and there is even a 2001-esque light tunnel trip: it is moreover a sweet love letter to Steve Ditko’s artistry from the original comics.

The costumes, especially for the Sorcerer Supreme, are thrillingly colorful, supplemented by a suitable Baroque score by Michael Giacchino.

Doctor Strange is feasible entertainment. Many were expecting Marvel’s answer to The Matrix or Inception but, really, in spite of its different premise, it still manages to be a typical Marvel entry, lacking perhaps a satisfying finish. It is such a feast for the eyes to the point there are many supplements I would suggest before viewing…such as 3D. The film is playing at the R/C Carlisle Commons, off-campus with no DPS in sight.