BLOOD WORK: SILVER TONGUED SILVER SCREEN: DOCTOR STRANGE (2016)

SPOILER FREE

First there was Deadpool, then Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice, Captain America: Civil War, X-Men: Apocalypse, and Suicide Squad. Now we can complete our 2016 comic book movie checklist with Marvel Studios DOCTOR STRANGE. The sixth comic book movie of the year and the 14th film in Marvel's Cinematic Universe. Scott Derrickson, known for his horror films The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Sinister, and Deliver Us From Evil is directing and Benedict Cumberbatch stars in this latest entry from Marvel.

Conceptually Doctor Strange blows the doors of the Marvel Cinematic Universe wide open. Concepts of time and space are shattered. A world of infinite possibilities is established. Whole other worlds and universes are revealed and even greater threats. There are also defenders, men and women who safeguard Earth and our reality from entities that would destroy us all. The concept that the MCU has been vehemently avoiding is finally embraced wholeheartedly: Magic. And with it a visual landscape that makes Guardians of the Galaxy look tame by comparison.

If that sounds to far out please rest assured. Marvel doesn't stray very far from their patented blend of action and humor. You'll laugh as much you'll thrill.

THE PLOT

Brilliant and arrogant neurosurgeon, Stephen Strange, suffers a life changing car accident. His hands were his gift, his talent, and his world. Now they're crushed. Held together with stints and pins, irrevocable nerve-damage has given his hands a constant tremor. All tell him he can never again perform surgery. Dr. Strange refuses to accept the inevitability, going to the ends of the Earth to find someone capable of curing him. His quest leads him to Kamar-Taj, a mystic temple in Nepal. There, a woman known only as The Ancient One, opens his mind to a world beyond anything he could've ever imagined. A world of magic, infinite realities, and ways to harness and traverse the energies and realms without.

THE GOOD

The Marvel Formula. Marvel's crowd and critic pleasing technique is in full swing here. Benedict Cumberbatch is a charming, self-obsessed, lovable jerk a la Robert Downey Jr./Tony Stark. There's plenty of humor and fun for everyone. Mix in epic action set pieces the likes you've never seen, breathtaking visual effects, and a host of great characters and all the bases are covered. This film is an origin story evocative of the first Iron Man or Thor. Within the confines of an origin story the film sets up Doctor Strange's characters and universe brilliantly.

The Casting. Marvel once again nails it with their cast. Benedict Cumberbatch is simply perfect both as a visual representation of the comic book character and in his performance. This is an origin story and Cumberbatch delivers a performance that doesn't quite give us a full Doctor Strange but shows us hints of the Sorcerer Supreme on the horizon. Chiwetel Ejiofor as Baron Mordo and Benedict Wong as Wong are wonderful co-stars, both convincing and likable. The actor, aside from Cumbatch, that stood out the most was Tilda Swinton. Her performance as the Ancient One is perhaps my favorite co-star in the entire film. Simply put, there is no bad actor or poor performance in the film.

The Action and the Visuals. Now it's no shocker that Marvel spared no expense with the visual effects. And they are gorgeous. The kaleidoscopic imagery comprising the final sequence of ANT-MAN is on full display, multiplied 100 fold. What's really amazing is how the action sequences are tied into the visual spectacles. Pan-dimensional gateways figure into the fights. Rising and reforming debris effect the characters in unexpected and exciting ways. Much like Thor: The Dark World's spacial distortions played a key role in the action finale, so too do the effects here in stunning ways.

Placement. How can a world ending conflict occur in the Marvel Cinematic Universe without all the other heroes knowing about it? Simple. It occurs outside of time and space. I am happy to say that this film functions beautifully within a universe with almost a hundred heroes, secret service organizations, gods, aliens, and more. Iron Man 3 and Suicide Squad suffered greatly due to half thought-out plots that worked well independently of a cinematic universe but as far as the bigger picture failed to answer the question "Where are the other heroes?" After 14 movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ensuring all the films gel is a daunting task. The writers here succeed brilliantly.

THE BAD

The More Things Change... The More They Stay The Same. There isn't much about this film that isn't good. Many thought Doctor Strange was Marvel's biggest risk and could've been their first misstep. As a result Marvel has once again gone with a tried and true presentation. While this film introduces new characters and concepts much of it feels all too familiar. This isn't bad. It just feels calculated and safe. Whatever they have to do to get audiences to embrace this film and establish the character is fine. And I expected some of this. But this wasn't the Doctor Strange movie I was hoping for.

With Scott Derrickson Marvel had a man talented in crafting horror. PG-13 horror has proven quite effective as of late too. Given these elements and Doctor Strange's comic book counterpart often combating satanic figures, vampires, demons, and the stuff of nightmares there were many signs that this film chould've been a horror movie. There is a place for light hearted super heroes. Likewise there is a place for darker heroes. Just as Batman V Superman went too far down the dark serious road, I feel Marvel has been erring to much on the humorous side. The Doctor Strange film I wanted to see was one with more darkness and terror. This is not the case. And to my great horror (not in a good way) a villain who should be no less than 100% terrifying came across almost laughable.

THE VERDICT

I've only seen the movie once and it wasn't at all like I was hoping it would be. As such I can't give the movie a proper rating. I need to see it again. The movie isn't bad by any means. In fact it is quite expertly done. It just wasn't at all what I was expecting. The film has been receiving rave reviews from nearly everybody. I just need time to flush out my expectations and appreciate the film for what it is. Once I've done that I'll have a good and accurate ranking for Doctor Strange. Until then...

**UPDATE**

All right. I've seen the movie a second time. Now knowing what to expect I am happy to say that my opinion of the movie has greatly improved. When I first watched the movie it seemed to travel very fast and the unwanted humor (unwanted on my part) felt overwhelming. The second viewing revealed a slower, more serious, and far more enjoyable experience.

Scott Derrickson and everyone at Marvel Studios truly did a fantastic job bringing Doctor Strange to the big screen. I know Marvel Studios doesn't do extended cuts but I really would love to see an extended cut that lengthens the time before the car accident as well as his training at Kamar Taj.

In any event I am happy to announce that the movie just gets better the more you watch it.

Overall Ranking: 7 out of 10
Above average. Worth the price.