Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

 

Score: A-

Directed by Sam Raimi

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Elisabeth Olsen, Xochitl Gomez, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams

Running time: 126 minutes

Rated PG-13

Long Story Short:  The sequel to Marvel’s introduction to the world of fantasy in Doctor Strange delivers both spectacular effects and moving character moments.  With Wanda alongside as his co-star, Cumberbatch’s Strange is again a very enjoyable lead with Olsen providing a nice counter.  The plot moves fast, but hang in there and you’ll enjoy the ride!  Highly recommended for theater viewing.

While attending the wedding of former flame, Christine (McAdams), Steven Strange (Cumberbatch), aka Doctor Strange, rushes to the rescue as a monster rampages in New York.  He and the Sorcerer Supreme, Wong (Wong), discover that the monster was searching for one individual in particular - and neither the monster nor the person are from their universe.  Strange calls on Wanda Maximoff (Olsen), a witch with powerful abilities, for help.  But where Strange sees the danger of other beings entering their universe, Wanda sees the promise of reconnecting with parts of her past that have been ripped away.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness continues in the tradition of strong Marvel films, thanks, as usual, not just to top-of-the-line visual effects but moreso from its compelling characters.  As the title itself reveals, the central theme of this sequel is the widening Marvel exploration of the “multiverse”, a reality in which there are many, perhaps infinite, universes existing side by side but entirely separate from each other outside of extraordinary events.  As the Disney+ show Loki and film Spider-Man 3 have already shown, this allows for alternate versions of the same characters and the interesting questions and dilemmas that poses.  Doctor Strange 2 also follows in the Marvel tradition of dabbling in another genre: here, we get a taste of horror along with our superheroes.  This is effectively, appropriately, and even amusingly-done, from a version of a serial killer chase, to a few gorier-than-typical-Marvel scenes, to even some zombies!  Much of this is in the middle portion of the film, which to me was the weakest.  It veers a bit too generic at some points, with effects and multiverse madness occasionally overriding the characters or just the Marvel cleverness we’ve come to expect.  Still, it’s well-paced throughout, and book-ended by a strong opening and finale.

Even in what is among the most visually spectacular Marvel films (which is saying something), Doctor Strange 2 still finds its greatest strength in its characters.  While some critics may tire of the Marvel films, what the long series of films - and now streaming series, too - has created is an extraordinarily rich and deep set of characters.  Wanda gets the most powerful part, following on the standout WandaVision.  The plot aligns neatly with the conclusion to that series, and further explores Wanda’s internal struggle between her light and dark natures.  Somewhat overshadowed by that, Doctor Strange still gets plenty to work with as he struggles with a relationship never realized and his deep-seated impulse to win no matter the cost.  Among others, America (Gomez) is a fun new character, though with much remaining to be explored, Benedict Wong is a welcome returning, sober foil to the sarcastic Strange, and there are several interesting cameos.

While I do truly value the characters above all, the visuals and action still deserve mention.  Effects work is used to create multiple new worlds, as well as several scenes on “our” Earth, and they are all impressive as well as believable.  Standing out to me was a “lost” world where buildings literally drift slowly through an ever-present fog, and rising waters lap wherever you go.  There is plenty of action, of course, and while I often prefer the hand-to-hand, practical fights, this is great and varied stuff.  Particularly good are the opening monster fight in New York and a literally musical duel between Stranges. That battle leads into the ending, which is one of the strongest in the Marvel franchise.  As mentioned, the middle was a somewhat mixed bag to me, but both the plot and the character arcs are resolved in very satisfying ways, and succinctly (at 2 hours and 6 minutes, this qualifies as a “short” blockbuster these days).  But there is also much remaining to be explored, of course - and after this, I’m excited as ever for it!

***

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was a great way to start the summer, in the usual first weekend of May spot.  Six films after the last Avengers movie, Marvel is clearly going strong - I am certainly not tiring of it and, based on the continued box office success, neither is the public at large.  Even for non-fans, you can be confident that a Marvel movie will provide a quality, entertaining blockbuster experience, which is otherwise hardly assured.  Doctor Strange 2 also revived my faith that Hollywood can make good endings, after a number of rough conclusions for this year’s films.  Next up, I’m excited for the Top Gun remake/sequel, Jurassic World part 3 after that, and hopefully plenty more fun this summer!

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