Movie Review: Doctor Strange

Movie Review: Doctor Strange

Marvel's latest film is a visual feast with plenty of fun.

Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Stephen Strange. Photograph: Marvel

I don't know about you, but I love the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Hell, I love superhero movies in general. The DC movies, Watchmen, the Crow, pretty much anything; if it's a superhero film, I'll likely have a decent time watching it, regardless of flaws (yes, even Batman v. Superman). For some reason, I personally adore these big overblown stories with colorful characters beating the crap out of colorful villains. The cross-overs just make me even more excited, and, so far, Marvel is the best when it comes to this sort of stuff.

Despite this, I've never been what you would call a comic fan. I've dabbled, certainly, and I am familiar with many large arcs for distinctive characters. It's largely because of that knowledge that I became crazy pumped about the announcement of a Doctor Strange movie, a character I always found fascinating. I was initially disappointed by the casting, however, as I had badly wanted it to be Liam Neeson for reasons that should be obvious.

I was wrong to be so judgmental; Benedict Cumberbatch is phenomenal as Doctor Stephen Strange. For those unfamiliar with the character, the doctor is a world-renowned brain surgeon whose hands are crushed in a car accident, leaving them too shaky to operate even once they have healed. Desperate to find something that can return his life back to normal, he eventually tracks down the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), hoping for something to fix his hands. Instead he is introduced to the world of magic and multiple dimensions, as well as the threats that the Ancient One and her followers must battle against.

Cumberbatch's performance is superb, immediately settling in as one of the strong players of the MCU. Though Strange starts off with many similarities to early Tony Stark (with the ego, narcissism, wit and talent), the performance feels much more anti-social, creating a character that is definitively different. Strange is also filled with enthusiasm and a sort of wisdom that develops throughout the film. Plus, he's really funny.

I was surprised by how much Doctor Strange made me laugh, but humor played a much larger role than I ever would have expected. Strange himself frequently spouts off attempts at humor (that end up being funny) and pop culture references that easily pull a chuckle, but nearly every character and every scene in the film is infused with a large degree of comedy, even just laughing at the ridiculousness of all the magic.

Tilda Swinton, in particular, is wonderful through the film. For an actress that I associate with cold, dramatic roles, she is a ton of fun as the badass Ancient One, slyly making fun of Strange for his skepticism. What could have been another generic "mentor" character is made memorable by her work. Mads Mikkelsen does similar work to elevate his role as Kaecilius from being a stereotypical Marvel villain to being someone with a hint of charm and true tragedy that builds his motivation.

Swinton and Mikkelsen may have been stand-outs in the film, but the rest of the supporting cast does not slouch. Chiwetel Ejiofor (Mordo), Rachel McAdams (Dr. Christine Palmer) and Benedict Wong (Wong) all do well with what they're given, which to be fair isn't much. Despite their strong performances, these particular characters do feel as if they somewhat fade into the background of the film. Ultimately, Doctor Strange feels like the only character we really know by the film's end, despite other figures receiving plenty of screen time.

The main selling point of this film are its outstanding visuals, and boy, are they amazing. The scenes of world-altering magic are absolutely enthralling. Some feel like drug sequences, with a thousand worlds being travelled through. Others are just cool, such as a fight scene taking place as the rest of the world moves in reverse through the rewinding of time. Every single moment that the world is altered is a visual feast for the eyes, and really helps to make the film stand out as something new and special among the many superhero films released these days.

What doesn't make the film special is its plot; it's not particularly detailed, and definitely not unique. This film follows many of the cliches you would expect in a Marvel superhero movie, without necessarily subverting them in any exceptional way. Much of the events of the plot can be easily predicted by anyone familiar with the genre. Though the visuals are a nice touch, it still definitely has the tone and feel of the other films in the universe, never entirely freeing itself. I will admit, however, that Strange's defeat of the villain is quite inventive.

I've heard some people refer to Doctor Strange as exactly what you would expect from a Marvel movie, in a good way. I agree with that wholeheartedly. If you like Marvel movies, you're probably going to enjoy this film as much as I did, and probably find it to be a shining example of the universe. So if you like superheroes, or Marvel, or Doctor Strange, or wacky, trippy visuals, please... treat yourself to this film.

Grade: A-

P.S. Stick around after the first credits scene... Just a tip.

In Response to those "Done" with the Walking Dead...

Many critics and "fans" have decided to quit the show. 

Following the Walking Dead's seventh season premiere, a slew of reviews, articles and audience reactions appeared online following one central idea; that episode was the most horrible, awful thing the show has ever done, and they are done watching the show. Many reviews were negative. The AV club comments section was full of users proudly declaring how awful they find the show. The Verge's Walking Dead Quitters Club found their reason to quit.

This, from my point of view, is ridiculous. 

The Walking Dead is, without a doubt, a very flawed show. It definitely has a struggle related to seasonal and episode structure, not quite sure how best to balance character appearances and genuinely powerful cliffhangers. If there is one statement common to many of these of articles that I agree with, it is that, at times, the Walking Dead has been very manipulative with its viewers. I doubt that I will ever forgive my frustration with that stupid bullshit that made up Dumpstergate, and even seeing clips of the Season 6's finales final minute leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It was thusly unwise and rather cheap to leave the reveal of Glenn and Abraham's deaths until twenty-plus minutes into "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be". 

Torture porn, however, this ain't.

I honestly find it baffling the amount of negativity in response to Negan's executions. Firstly, it was certainly not the most horrible thing we've ever seen on the show (Noah and the revolving door, anyone?), but even then, what were people expecting? Negan had a barbed wire baseball bat named Lucille. He said he was going to kill someone with it, which sounds mighty unpleasant. Then it happened, and it was. Even then, though, much of the carnage, outside of Glenn's unfortunate eye, was kept off-screen, with only sound effects and the aftermath being particularly indicative of the brutality. What did these people want? To see nothing at all, or just have one instant death crack and leave it at that? The point was to show how this fucks Rick up. I don't think something so pretty and quick would do that.

Or is the scene with Rick nearly severing Carl's arm, moaning in dismay, the portion they consider gratuitous? I found it intense, yes, and horrifying. I also found it to be a nod towards comic fans hoping Rick would finally lose his hand. But they don't go through with it. No appendages were removed. That doesn't seem like too much to me. They cite the episode as nihilistic and the world of the show as without progress and hope, saying it follows the predictable cycle endlessly. All of that is said with seeming ignorance of the fact the group went from barely surviving on the road to actually forming a new community that continues to stand tall, and even beginning a trade network in a larger world. But nah, someone died horrifically, so none of that matters. 

For examples of what I consider to be gratuitous torture and violence, let's look at the much beloved sixth season of Game of Thrones that aired earlier this year. Ramsay Bolton did lots of horrible stuff for the sake of doing it. He murdered his father, fed his step-mom and half-brother to dogs, and murdered a teenage boy with arrows before his brother. Much of this was unnecessarily drawn out, and felt pointless and honestly, obsessed with just witnessing it. Yet people defend that season of the fantasy drama to the death, many citing it as the "show's best ever". Hell, even the choice to depict Cersei torturing Septa Unella rather than, you know, reacting to her son's death, was genuine gratuitous torture. But it's Game of Thrones, so who cares and shut up.

Ultimately, I think it comes down to there being two types of major fans of the show; those who don't like or want to like the comics, and those who love the comics or would love them if they gave them a read. Many of the negative reviewers I've seen, such as Zack Handlen and Alan Sepinwall, say they gave the comics a try, but found the story about a zombie apocalypse far too dark and depressing following Issue 48 (where Lori is shot and crushes baby Judith). To be fair, however, neither of them are quitters. Hell, there are users commenting on the AV club review of "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be" to proudly announce the fact that they never watched the show, or quit after the first season. Congrats, guys, I'm really glad you came to a review of the show's 84th episode to let us know that for some reason.

Meanwhile, comic book websites have regularly given the Season 7 premiere amazing scores. 

My favourite part of these "quitting the Walking Dead" articles, however, has to be the inflated degree of self-importance many of these critics are have. It is to an extent similar to the string of 2014 "Gamers are Dead" articles released by gaming publications, which people promptly ridiculed and ignored. Many of these reviews finish off their outrage by saying things that either imply or outright state the show will be over soon, as viewership will soon tank. This all of course, is connected to the fact they don't want to watch the show anymore. Because they don't like it, no one else will and the show should end just like they want it to.

That is hilarious.

To those "done" with the Walking Dead; adieu, and good riddance. 

Welcome to Slade's Culture Corner!

Thanks for taking the time to check out my new blog. What will you find here, you may ask? Hopefully, a little bit of everything. I love music, television, movies, video games and a variety of other interests, and I intend to take my passion for talking about them constantly and turn it into something productive.

Why should you care about my thoughts, however? That's up for you to decide. All I can hope for is that you find my insights, opinions and otherwise engaging.

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy.