Doctor Strange

This movie showed me that talent is not everything. If we got it, let's be humble and give a helping hand to those in need instead of bragging about the things we're good at.

The main character's drive to learn and his thirst for knowledge was very compelling. It could make the viewers curious about how skillful he can get.

In my re-viewing of some MCU films (and integral to the events of IW), Doctor Strange was just as much fun and entertaining as the last time. Benedict Cumberbatch more or less plays a similar character as Sherlock but still is perfect as Strange. **3.75/5**

One of my least favourites so far in the MCU. Still a good film, no doubt.

'Doctor Strange' features a lot of intrigue and lore, which is certainly interesting to see unfold. I just felt a few pacing issues, nothing that frustrated me but it just felt a little slow moving in moments. I still enjoyed it, the story is a pleasant one and all the effects look splendid.

Benedict Cumberbatch is great in the lead role, I thoroughly enjoyed his performance. Mads Mikkelsen and Tilda Swinton are good in this as well, especially the latter. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Rachel McAdams are likeable in their respective roles, also.

Not one I love, but it is one I like.

"Stephen Strange" (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a brilliant neurosurgeon who is involved in a terrible car accident. Frustrated by his new-found limitations he travels to the Himalayas where he is schooled in the mystic arts by Tilda Swinton. Together with her associate "Mordo" (Chiwetel Ejiofor) they must learn to work to thwart the ambitions of "Kaecilius" and his henchmen who are serving the powerful "Dormammu" who wishes to destroy the three Sanctums on the Earth that protect humanity from his dominance. It does take a while to get going this, and Cumberbatch's accent takes some getting used to, but once the period of initiation and learning is underway, we are presented with a well paced, magical adventure film that marries a decent script with some gorgeous visual effects, a slightly more cerebral storyline and leaves us in no doubt that this is just the first instalment for this developing super-hero. Cumberbatch grows into the role, and Swinton is effective as his slightly ethereal mentor. It comes in at the slightly shorter end of the MCU movies spectrum, and that's a good thing too.

There was a lot of cool looking things in this movie and some cool fight scenes. Kind of a boring movie though and a lot of it don't make sense either.

**Another quality addition to the never-ending list of films from the Marvel universe.**

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm far from being a comic book expert, but I recognize that Marvel, in addition to creating a huge range of characters, extremely complex and with a biography full of nuances, created a multitude of magazines and graphic albums where it gave almost each one the space to shine. They were often short-lived editions, but they established the “canonical” vision of each of the characters: heroes who become villains and then, again, heroes, who save Humanity or destroy it in petty rivalries. What Marvel is doing now in cinema, and with great financial results, is the same thing: creating films, sequels, spin-offs and variations where each character has time to show value and raise money from fans for the company's coffers.

Without rushing, I have watched several of these films, trying to understand the bizarre stories and characters they bring to us. It's not the kind of film that I would actually pay to see, but it has entertainment value and merits that I recognize, and that make it gold for the company. This film is not even close to one of the most notable or successful, but it was still able to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Visual Effects in 2017. It was directed and written by Scott Derrickson (“Sinister”, “Exorcism of Emily Rose” etc.), and has a pleasant narrative that is easy to follow and understand, even for a layman in the Marvel world. The character is one of the obscurest in this universe, an arrogant doctor who becomes a powerful wizard from an important sect based in Nepal. This is how he obtains his powers, through effort and study, and not through chance or some tragic incident. The pace of the film is good, and the entertainment is one of the strongest points of this work.

On a technical level, what stands out the most is the mastery of the effects and CGI team, which takes advantage of the studio's budget to give us a true visual spectacle at the level of what Marvel has accustomed us to. And contrary to what sometimes happens, we never feel like the film was an excuse for the effects. Cinematography is an essential part of the film's visual beauty, with magnificent colors and clarity, intelligent framing and a creative touch. There are some truly remarkable scenes, and the space and time bending effects are surprisingly good. The sets, costumes and props follow the general quality of the work and attest to the attentive look of the production. And the action scenes? Superbly performed and choreographed.

The cast, another strong point of this film, was confidently headed by Benedict Cumberbatch, who gives us work at the level of the best he has ever done in his career. Tilda Swinton, in yet another androgynous character, gives us yet another impactful work that will be difficult to forget. Chitewel Ejiofor and Benedict Wong also do excellent work and substantially enrich the film with strong performances. Despite the centrality of his character, Mads Mikkelsen had bad luck in this project: the material he was given is substantially shallow, and forces the actor to perform the miracle of multiplication, giving us his best with very little. Rachel McAdams was also another victim of the superficial treatment given to most of the secondary characters, but she didn't have the Nordic actor's ability to make omelets without eggs. She's just a shallow cliché: the hero's girlfriend.

The introduction of Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is hailed as a great beginning, with the character's origin story setting the stage for his journey into the mystical world. The inclusion of Christine Palmer, portrayed by Rachel McAdams, is praised as a solid choice, although some viewers feel that her character could have been further developed, with a more profound exploration of her role and potential in the MCU.

While the first Doctor Strange film lays a strong foundation for the character and the magical realm he inhabits, some fans express disappointment with the portrayal of the ultimate villain. Despite this, the film is recognized as a promising start to the Doctor Strange storyline within the MCU, introducing audiences to a new dimension of superheroes and storytelling.

However, the sequel, "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," receives criticism for its perceived shortcomings. Some viewers feel that the film falls short of expectations, lacking the depth and coherence expected from a Marvel installment. The rushed nature of the film and its perceived lack of attention to detail lead to disappointment, with viewers feeling let down by the outcome.

The underwhelming reception of the sequel raises concerns about the future of the Doctor Strange franchise, with doubts lingering about the direction and quality of upcoming installments. The mixed reviews and dissatisfaction with "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" leave some fans hesitant about the potential success of future Doctor Strange films within the MCU.