Review of Doctor Strange (2016) by Hmf_47 — 04 Nov 2016

This is arguably the most character-focused Marvel movie since Captain America: The First Avenger. It also has a very similar narrative structure, since the first half takes its time to fully establish the protagonist, and the second is more dedicated to the larger-than-life threat he has to stop (Batman Begins also comes to mind).

Despite being an arrogant jerk, Stephen Strange is easy to like thanks to a nuanced and charismatic performance from Benedict Cumberbatch. The supporting cast is equally great as well, even though Rachel McAdams doesn't get a lot to do.

Scott Derrickson's direction provides visuals that look like a Steve Ditko comic coming to life, genuinely heartbreaking moments and out-of-the-box action scenes. But I was surprised that the movie wasn't any scary considering the subject matter (alternate dimensions and sorcery) and Derrickson's horror background. The humor is hit and miss (the singer name-dropping was pretty lame), but the actors' delivery gives it more punch.

The movie's biggest problem is that its pacing gets overly fast at times, especially considering there's a lot of information to digest. The second act in particular barely has any moments to breathe.

Doctor Strange stays within the safe boundaries we've come to expect from Marvel, but that doesn't stop it from being a generally satisfying entry in the series.