I think all the hubbub about different actors being considered for Doctor Strange was a sham. I think the moment that Benedict Cumberbatch made a sly remark during SDCC on the year casting for the film was announced was already a confirmation that he had the part. I think that if they did actually audition other actors for the role, it was either just for show or they were just waiting on Benedict.
But that's just what I think. Can you blame me, though? Once his name was mentioned, did you really imagine anybody else portraying the future Sorcerer Supreme?
Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a successful neurosurgeon, whose brilliance in his field is only matched by his arrogance. A car accident leads to severe injuries on his hands, which prevent him from continuing his practice. He struggles with his new life, desperately finding ways to find a cure and alienates everyone, including his ex-girlfriend Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams). Following a lead from a man who miraculously recovers from paralysis, he ends up in Kathmandu to search for Kamar-Taj. He meets Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), who tells him of the different multiverse and their order's duty of safeguarding against threats that are not of this Earth. He begins his training in the mystic arts and learns about the treachery of former Kamar-Taj master Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), who stole pages from the Book of Cagliostro depicting a ritual that would help him gain immortality with deadly consequences for Earth.
After several years of following the Marvel Cinematic Universe and thoroughly enjoying it, I've realized that, while ensemble films like Avengers are highly fun and seem like the best treat for fans, I still prefer the titles that focus on a single character. It reduces the amount of spectacle, of which there are always many, that can detract you from the importance of character development. And in Doctor Strange, character development or growth is paramount. Don't let all the mind-bending visuals fool you.
Doctor Strange focuses on its titular character and his quest to cure his shaking hands, which leads to the most unconventional healing method one can find. But instead of a straightforward cure, he is instead thrust into a strange new life of learning how to create objects or open portals with his mind. He finds himself learning secrets of the multiverse. And, instead of just focusing on how he can use it all to cure himself and return to the life he wants to lead again, he finds that the world is so much larger than what we wants. Sure, I loved Captain America and Thor, and they also go through life-changing and perception-altering experiences, but they didn't demand my attention as much as the story of Doctor Strange did. And no, it's not just because I'm a fan of Benedict Cumberbatch. There's a depth to the character's pain that I actually empathized with and it was never hard to find reasons to root for him. Again, not just because he's played by Benedict Cumberbatch.
Doctor Strange features a strong supporting cast, fully utilizing the very talented Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong (who plays librarian Master Wong) and Mads Mikkelsen, each of them embracing their roles and seemingly easily falling into the film's tone, whether it demanded gravitas or humor. I do feel, however, that with all the focus on Doctor Strange's training and realizations, Kaecilius and his reasons for his actions got a little lost in the fold. While I have a general understanding of what he was doing and why he wanted to do it, it didn't have as much of an impact. Especially when you compare it to others in the MCU, such as Loki's anger in the first Thor film or the terror Ultron brought in the Avengers. And we can never emphasize enough how much any superhero needs a good villain. Although, you can always expect Mads Mikkelsen to bring his best in any role, and he did just that with what he was given in this film. Just don't look at his eyes for the latter half of the film if you don't want to feel queasy.
I've mentioned earlier that I appreciated Doctor Strange for its emphasis on character growth, but I do have to give props for the visuals. The characters' practice of the mystic arts include bending reality and perception, which leads to some interesting scenes of manipulating rooms and cityscapes. It gave viewers a better appreciation of just exactly what Doctor Strange can do once he joins up with the other MCU characters (Thor: Ragnarok should be up first, followed by at least one Avengers film). My only regret is that I didn't get to experience watching the film in IMAX, because the scenes would have been amazing in all its wide screen 3D glory.
I have to admit some worry about feeling some MCU fatigue... it's been nearly a decade since Iron-Man premiered to kick it off, after all. But, while there is a signature feel to all of the franchise's installment, they still try to maintain a certain tone and feel for each one that makes them distinctive from each other. And with a strong origins story, exemplary cast and making best use of visual effects without drowning out its other elements, Doctor Strange isn't likely to get lost in the now crowded MCU filmography.
Happy viewing!!Labels: Action, Adaptation, Adventure, Doctor Strange, Fantasy, Film, Marvel, Must-Watch, Superhero, Supernatural
