Doctor Strange is the most exposition-heavy installment since Phase One. It's a completely new world (or world-view) with very few ties to what we've seen so far. The idea is that Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a famous and exceptional neurosurgeon. He's kind of a know-it-all and conceited, but in a charming, roguish way that his not-quite girlfriend, Dr. Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) has a hard time resisting. The movie wastes no time getting to the accident that leaves him without the use of his hands. He goes on a desperate quest to heal himself that leads him to a secret society in Nepal (or a Nepal-like country). There, he meets The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) and Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who train him in a mystical magic that allows him to conjure energy, move across dimensions, and potentially control time -- to be honest, I don't really understand the powers, but they make sense in the movie. He ends up battling Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), a former pupil of the Ancient One who has turned to the dark side - er - dark dimension. It's a lot for any audience to handle coming in with only the knowledge from the other 13 movies. It works while you are watching it though, and that's what matters the most.
This is the most Oscar-friendly cast assembled for a stand-alone Marvel movie*, which seems fitting, given the complexity of the topic. Benedict Cumberbatch looks very comfortable in the role even though the performance reminded me way too much of Gregory House (maybe it's just the voice). Rachel McAdams doesn't have a lot to do, although when she shows up, she is, of course, delightful. Swinton is a natural pick for a role like the Ancient One, which has to be both impenetrable and vulnerable at times. Ejiofor is too good for the lack of importance of his role in this film, but the story isn't done with him yet. Mikkelsen just makes a good villain. Basically, all you have to do is cast him in the role and I'll buy into it.
*Of the core five characters, four have had Oscar nominations (Cumberbatch, McAdams, Swinton, and Ejiofor). In fact, three of the nominations have been successive in the last 3 years and the fourth was a win back back 2008.
I wasn't crazy about the movie. I think it mistakes "cool visuals" for "good visuals" a little too often. Someone watched Inception a few times before joining the crew for this film. It's an obvious comparison, except Doctor Strange shows less restraint. It's easy to get lost by the staging of an action sequence in a way that is more confusing than disorienting. I eventually accepted that 90% of the story logic is gibberish to me. In the future, all I'll need to know is that when Doctor Strange shows up in another Marvel movie is he's going to do some magical stuff with his hands that I don't need to understand much beyond that. And I'm okay with that.
One final bit worth noting is that the comic relief is a bit off in this installment. Cumberbatch is a funny actor, but he isn't the Paul Rudd or Robert Downey Jr. type who can self-start the jokes. He needs someone to play off, kind of like how Chris Evans has Scarlett Johansson or Anthony Mackie. Cumberbatch gets Ejiofor and Newton and a humorless Makkelsen as a villain. That's rough. McAdams would've been great if she was used more. Comic relief is essential to the Marvel movies and it wasn't quite there this time.
I liked Doctor Strange although I'm picking at it harshly. Sorry. I appreciate it more for the characters that it has added to the MCU than the story it tells. I look forward to seeing Dr. Strange try to out-ego Tony Stark or diagnose alongside Bruce Banner (I know, different kind of doctors). If this is the last time we go to Nepal, that's fine with me. I guess that makes Doctor Strange a mid-tier Marvel movie. Given that it's about a character that casual viewers don't know, lacking any obvious connection to other installments, and in a more abstract realm of the universe, I'd call that a success.
Verdict (?): Weakly Recommend
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