Doctor Strange (Movie Review)

PRAISES:

The next instalment in the MCU (marvel cinematic universe), this doesn’t live up to expectations given the quality of the other films but is still very enjoyable. Starring Benedict Cumberbatch (‘Sherlock’, ‘The Imitation Game’), Chiwetel Ejiofor (’12 Years a Slave’), Tilda Swinton (‘Hail, Ceaser’, ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’), and Mads Mikkelson (‘Casino Royale’, ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’), this brings a star-spangled cast to a mediocre film. The attempt at humour following Guardians of the Galaxy (Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana) was forced and only occasionally effective. Though this has a giant budget and incredible special effects and doesn’t stray far from the comics (which the usual easter-eggs). I would not recommend this as a starting point for people new to the MCU (start with Guardians of the Galaxy or Ironman) or comic-based movies (start with Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy), for those already dedicated to the universe and looking forward to Infinty War, it’s a must-watch.

PLOT:

When Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch), one of the best brain surgeons in the world, loses much muscle-control in his hand, he turns to a monastery in Nepal to help him heal. When he reaches the monastery however, there is more to learn than first expected.

PROBLEMS:

Forced comedy makes the jokes cringey and Mads Mikkelson is less than convincing as the villain.

POINTS:

Artistic Impression: 🌟🌟🌟

Enjoyment:🌟🌟🌟⭐

Overall:🌟🌟🌟

PETTY TRIVIA:

1) Benedict Cumberbatch spent his gap year, in fact, volunteering as an English teacher at a Buddhist monastery in Darjeeling, India.

2) Benedict Cumberbatch received help with finger-tutting movements from dancer Jayfunk, to make the spell-casting gestures look fluid and agile. In a similar way Elizabeth Olsen (who plays Scarlet Witch in the MCU) learnt some Indian dance techniques to perfect the look of her power.

3) The ancient one (Swinton) is actually a male in the comics.

4) Morgan Freeman, Ken Watanabe, and Bill Nighy were all considered as casting options for the ancient one.

5) At one point, Doctor Strange considers using an axe as a weapon. This is a homage to the 2016 “Doctor Strange” comics, where he was severely depowered and took to wielding an axe, called Angarrumus.

PANDA:

IMDb: http://m.imdb.com/title/tt1211837/

Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HSzx-zryEgM

I just did a trailer breakdown for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. You can read it here.

Liked this? Check out my reviews of ‘Arrival‘ or ‘Stranger Things‘!