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Marvel’s most recent outing is Doctor Strange, a mind bending original story of an arrogant neurosurgeon whose fatal injury drives him to learn the mystic arts to heal his physical injury and ego. He also happens to fight some evil cultists who plot to destroy the Marvel Cinematic Universe as we know it. No pressure. I am glad to report that doctor strange is a great movie. Not only because of its stellar cast rolling out some great performances, but because of the film’s mind boggling visual set pieces that puts movies like inception to shame.

 

The film’s largest victory stems from its profound originality in terms of on screen effects and visuals. The movie’s unique action sequences present a remarkable and twisted experience for the viewer. The way the special effects team uses modern CGI effects is astounding. From weird trippy dimensions to realities folding in on themselves, doctor strange seems to be a step above films like inception who only toy with ideas that doctor strange expands on

 

This film’s success is very well credited to its actors. Benedict Cumberbatch plays the arrogant and smartass sorcerer/ neurosurgeon. Cumberbatch makes this arrogant and selfish character so likeable because of strange’s drive to better himself, whether it be on an operating table or in a monastery's library. Tilda Swinton and Chiwetel Ejiofor make for complex and routinely funny supporting actors as The Ancient One and Mordo. Rachel McAdams plays a pseudo-love interest to strange. Mads Mikkelsen also plays the leader of a cult worshiping a dark dimension that wants to abduct the earth into a hellish reality. Kaecilius (Mikkelsen's character) unfortunately sticks to being a very static and one dimensional character, having no motivation outside of worshiping a cosmic figure called Dormammu.

 

Doctor Strange isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, as the movie accumulates a couple negative aspects. The film can often ruin an almost epic jaw dropping scene with what feels like forced comedy. Although a lot of the jokes land and are really funny, some really do ruin otherwise epic moments. If you are looking for a lot of Marvel Cinematic Universe references and ramification, this movie is rather contained and doesn’t impact other characters in the MCU as much as previous films like Civil War do. Nevertheless, the introduction of magic in this movie leaves the door open to so much more in marvel’s ever expanding universe.

 

Ignoring the negatives, Doctor Strange is definitely one of marvel’s best origin tales in a long time, comprised of likeable and relatable characters that keeps the audience invested and stunning visuals and an introduction to the magical side of the marvel cinematic universe. With two home runs behind arvel, one can only be excited for marvel’s next film, Guardians Of the Galaxy Vol. 2. I would give this movie six objectively goofy goatees out of seven

 

P.S. Also wait till the end of the credits, as these scenes reveal what may be in store for marvel movies in 2017 and beyond