Movie Review: Doctor Strange – Has Soul Searching Marvel Found Their Key to Survival?

Every movie franchise needs a rebirth at some point. Christopher Nolan’s storytelling changed the way we look at superhero movies forever with that kind of conflict that rips our understanding of right and wrong. DC may have done the reverse of it with the utterly terrible Batman Vs Superman, Dawn of Justice. But Marvel seems to have turned a page from their formulaic action extravaganzas to formulaic magical extravaganzas. I use the word formulaic because despite the soul searching that the franchise undergoes along with Dr Strange, it is the writing that lets it down.

Doctor Strange follows that life of Dr Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) an arrogant but brilliant neurosurgeon who loses his way after a terrible accident. In search of an eastern cure, he unwittingly falls into the hands of the Ancient One (Tilda Swindon) who along with Master Mondo (Chiwetel Edjiafor) transforms Dr Strange into a universe saving sorcerer by introducing him to dimensions that defy time and space. And when the inevitable threat comes to earth it was up to the trio to save it from falling into darkness.

Robert Downey Jr must be pissing himself at the sight of Benedict Cumberbatch. If he though he nailed the role of World’s famous detective, out came Cumberbatch with his version of Sherlock Holmes that blew the audience away. Now Downey Jr’s title as the best Marvel Cast member might be at threat with Englishman stealing the show as Dr Strange with an arrogant, narcissistic yet lovable, goofy and funny portrayal. There may be shades of Sherlock to it but only just. He mesmerizes us with a performance that shifts from self-centred arrogance to a world saver without essentially losing the soul upon which the character is developed. And yes, that smile! How long before he stars in a timeless romantic flick?

Though originally not conceived in the comics as a Celtic sorcerer, Tilda Swinton as the ancient one steals the show with a measured performance that resonates with the very purpose of the movie. Chiwetel Edgiafor has done far more challenging roles so this is a cake walk for the talented actor. Mads Mikkelson doesn’t do a lot of mainstream Hollywood movies but when he does it stands out like the Bond Villain in Casino Royale, the series Hannibal and now as Caesillius. Benedict Wong and Rachel McAdams has limited screen space but that does not stop from leaving an impression.

Doctor Strange might just be the template upon which Marvel could continue its cinematic existence. Here they have moved into a darker territory and the sort of concepts that stimulates the modern movie going geeks. There is humour that goes extremely well written for the characters and doesn’t look forced. Originally conceived in the 60’s, the writers have done well to introduce modern concepts of physics to enchant the modern intellect and enough spiritual material to appeal to the family audience. The special effects stay close to the movie’s time and space bending concepts. Yet there are some inevitable flaws that they could not correct. The screenplay follows an extremely tried and tested path and sometimes overbearing of CGI that could take the focus off storytelling. There is an instant comparison to Nolan’s Batman Begins that follows a similar trajectory of a talented lost man in search for his soul in the orient and Inception inspired CGI although others may argue that Nolan stole the original idea from the comic itself.

Marvel after Infinity Wars could have been a stretch given the orgy of stars and that sort of final battle that could make a successful movie franchise and force their audience into submission. But with an alternative look to its thinking, Marvel might have found a way beyond that with Doctor Strange.