Review of Doctor Strange (2016) by Ryan S — 02 Mar 2017

After the likes of The Imitation Game, August: Osage County and 12 Years a Slave, I wouldn't have pinned Benedict Cumberbatch to play into the Marvel Superhero world of acting, even with being the badass Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness. In which he came across as a "bad ass" more than he does in Doctor Strange as Dr. Stephen Strange, a character that first comes across as a selfish, egotistical, snobbish narcissistic; then dampens into this less intense, sarcastic, witty banterer; then finally into this "I care for the world, I want to save the world and I am actually in love with you, my dear Christine Palmer." All of the while, donning a non-British accent that will automatically make you think you're hearing Dennis Quaid (Doctor Strange's possible brother?).

Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange is ok. Not his most foundational role, nor his most interesting. I actually found director/contributing writer Scott Derrickson (Sinister, The Exorcism of Emily Rose) gives Strange's cape a more standout, comedic personality and role rather than Cumberbatch. Or at least a more consistent personality. But that's just a matter of my opinion. Chiwetel Ejiofor (fellow 12 Years a Slaver, Children of Men, Kinky Boots), Rachel McAdams (Spotlight) and Mads Mikkelsen (tv's Hannibal) all do a status-quo job in their respective roles.

The lead standout is Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One: a role originally a male role in the comics, but for its cinematic translation, was regendered as a woman. A change that works so successfully and naturally - especially with Swinton wo"manning" the role - that she becomes one of the magic wielding characters you look forward to seeing. Especially considering she has the ability to physically alter, twist, contort - a la Inception - buildings, structures, space etc. One of the most mesmerizing (and obviously but still masterfully CGI'd when watching the BluRay version) scenes is the opening one where Swinton pursues Mikkelsen's Kaecilius and jigsaws the landscape, surroundings and environments into looking like Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher's mind-bending, contortionist pieces. Could only imagine how spectacular it would have looked in 3D. Doctor Strange deserves huge props for its visual and special effects team (Ryan claps his hands) along with set design crew.

Even though I had always thought Doctor Strange was a bad guy (didn't follow him at all in my comic book days), he actually is a hero. Which is good news. Especially since he will be in 2018's forthcoming Avengers: Infinity War.