Doctor Strange (2016)

Genre

Action | Sci-Fi

Director

Scott Derrickson

Country

USA

Cast

Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benjamin Bratt, Scott Adkins, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton, Chris Hemsworth, Stan Lee

Storyline

After a tragic car accident, Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) embarks on a journey of healing that eventually draws him into the world of the mystic arts.

Opinion

So far 2016 has been quite a disappointment on the superhero genre - mediocre DC Comics films, awful X-Men but good Captain America - so I was worried. The source material wasn't easy to work with either. But then I thought about a few years ago when Marvel brought to the screen something odd, "Guardians of the Galaxy", which turned out to be the best Marvel film ever.

What about "Doctor Strange"? Well, while it certainly isn't the best superhero flick ever made, it is an incredible, impressive, witty and fun film.

The thing I was worried the most was the story. I wasn't sure how they would have presented the character, and I was worried they were going to rush on the origins of Strange. But that didn't happen. Actually, the origin story of Doctor Strange is told in a quite glamorous way and it's easily the best part of the film. Plot speaking. Overall, the story is quite solid.

And now the characters. I believe he is one of the most interesting and fascinating characters from the Marvel Universe, and I was thrilled to see him on screen. And I really liked what they did with him. First of all the cast of an actor such as Benedict Cumberbatch was the best thing that could have happened to the character. He indeed gives a great, humour performance. Second, I liked how they balanced the humour and seriousness in the character.

The supporting characters aren't as good as I hoped - even though I loved Wong, both the character and the actor -, but the problem is another one. Unfortunately the film suffers from a problem that affects most of the Marvel films, the lack of a strong villain. Delivered with a great performance by the amazing Mads Mikkelsen, Caecilius is underdeveloped, lacks character and dialogue. And just like most of Marvel's villains, he lacks a motivation.

To make up for that big flaw there are a beautiful, mind-blowing cinematography, great visual effects - I watched it in 2D - and a great score.

5 comments :

  1. Great review! I'm looking forward to this. The early trailers didn't interest me at all, but I've continued to get more and more hyped for it.

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  2. Great review! I didn't know what to expect from this one, but I felt the same way about GotG and loved that, and it happened again with Doctor Strange! I need to just face the facts that Marvel aren't making bad movies.
    - Allie

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! I think DC Comics fans have to face the fact that Marvel movies aren't bad.

      Delete
  3. Lo devo recuperare, l'attesa รจ alta

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