Doctor Strange is finally back in his own solo series!
In this film, Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) must protect America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), who has the power to travel between the multiverse and enter an infinite number of realities. It isn’t explained how she got this power (we know mutants are coming), but we know she cannot control when and where she can jump. There is a villain that knows of her power, wants it for themselves, and is strong enough to steal this power with ease. This leads Doctor Strange and America in a universe-jumping game of cat and mouse with the big baddie.
I was a bit nervous going into this film, as Marvel Studios’ films have had mixed receptions since Avengers Endgame. (come on, guys, Eternals was NOT that bad). But those fears quickly dissipated once things got rolling.
Let’s make something clear – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a horror movie.
Let’s make something clear – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a horror movie. Some imagery and choices made in the film push that PG-13 rating to the limit. I was surprised that the film would go as dark as it did for most of the movie. Not as dark as Hereditary or even as dark as some of Raimi’s previous horror films, but pretty dark for a Marvel Studios production.
However, it doesn’t feel out of place with Marvel. Marvel did a great job of allowing darker tones to be explored in their properties (i.e., Wandavision, What If?). So, you can get on board with the sinister themes of this movie while not losing that optimistic flair that Marvel does so well.
Be careful taking younger children to this one, as it is more Drag Me to Hell than Spider-Man (2002), so some of the gore and violence may be a bit much for your nine-year-old.
Also, Marvel was pretty bold with their decisions throughout the film. And almost all those bold choices paid off. The visuals are very well done, and not just during fighting sequences. The inter-dimensional travel by itself is a lot of fun.
I wish we got more depth from some of the characters, especially America Chavez, whom we will probably see in Marvel properties for the next five years. But you get enough from the actors and the script to invest in what you see on screen. Also, the musical score was pretty forgettable. It probably isn’t a fair comparison, but the score in The Batman really spoiled me by showing how the music can become a character in a superhero movie property.
Probably my most significant issue with this film is some of the choices made by characters that are entirely antithetical to what the MCU has taught us these characters would do. Although at great sacrifice, the villain’s plans could have been thwarted in the first third of the film. The decision to not make the sacrifice needed when the literal multiverse is at stake is mind-boggling if you think about it too long. It was a lazy way to increase the stakes and move the story forward, and the decision took me out of the movie for a few moments.
That being said, this movie accomplished a lot. It was exciting and made you care for Doctor Strange’s journey. It also gave us one of the most powerful (and complicated) villains to date. As a huge Dr. Strange fan of the comics, I’m excited to see what is next for this franchise. If the post-credit scene is any inclination, the next outing is going to be even wilder. I hope Sam Raimi sticks around this franchise and delves into other Marvel franchises for a long time.
