Doctor Strange
3.5/5
Directed By: Scott Derrickson
Rated: PG-13
There is more to this life than anyone can possibly imagine. What is seen in this physical world is only a fraction of what exist. In our daily lives, there is a battle raging, a battle between a greater will power and endless darkness. It is a never ending assault on us to stop pursuing a life of humility and take from this world what we believe we deserve. Every second of our lives, there is an inward struggle. It is only magnified by what exist outside, not just outside of our bodies, but outside our understanding. What can we not explain? What will we never be able to explain? Few films have dared to explore this realm, and none of them are as engaging and mesmerizing as Marvel Studios' Doctor Strange.
Doctor Strange is the story of a man, a physician, with status, wealth and talent far beyond everyone else. He is a suffering man who hoards his bountiful gifts for himself; excessively lavishing himself with luxuries, placing himself on a pedestal above his neighbors, and refusing to treat patients in fear of losing his portrait of perfection. All this is taken from him in an instant. One fateful car wreck takes away all of his perceived gifts. Without his hands to operate and his wealth to keep him blissful, he is nothing but the man he already is. Searching the world for answers and miracles, he finds a group of prudent wizards following one enlightened leader. Through his time with these enchanters, he learns powers beyond his imagination, sees dangers no man can face alone, and hears the call to rise up and become a hero.
The special effects in Doctor Strange are second to none. The psychedelic promises from the trailers are all true, and they are not disappointing. Worlds collide with each other, matter bends in on itself, skyscrapers and streets merge, and unmatched shadows flood the screen. These effects never try to deliberately wow the audience, rather they employ themselves only when necessary. There are moments when buildings are flipping in on themselves and it takes the audience's breath away, but there are other times when a simple hand reaching through a portal is all that is needed. Doctor Strange is a great balance of mesmerizing kaleidoscopic cinematic scene-scapes, and the simple graces of a man floating up out of darkness.
Beyond the special effects, and unique story elements, Doctor Strange offers tremendous performances from its entire cast. Benedict Cumberbatch is perfect casting as Dr. Stephen Strange. Without his skill and commitment for his craft, this latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe could have been just another origin story worth nothing more than simply passing the time. Thankfully, Benedict Cumberbatch plays the leading role of Dr. Stephen Strange, with charisma, charm, and an unattractive arrogance. More than any other character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Stephen Strange is dynamic. He not only rises up through gaining magical powers, but also through letting go of his ego. His development is engrossing, and worth watching.
Though the film has much to offer, there lies a great problem in Doctor Strange. Unfortunately it is a systemic one. The editing and pacing for the film is atrocious. Jump cuts do not seemed planned. The camera moves from room to room, without first establishing in which room the action originated. Characters wildly trade blows with each other, but the audience is left guessing for themselves who is winning and if they truly have the upper hand. This makes the fight scenes overbearing and difficult to pay attention to, but it is not enough to make the film unwatchable. Personally, I think most audiences will not even see this as a problem.
Marvel Studios Doctor Strange is a reminder to ourselves that there is more to life than we can possibly imagine. Stephen Strange is an excellent reminder of this. Even if all our work is lost, our efforts are in vain, and we sink lower than we could ever rise, there is always something more. There is something worth striving for greater than ourselves. For the power to flow out of your own body, fight the forces of evil with unrelenting passion, and bend time to your will is nothing compared to the true strength which comes through self sacrifice.
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