'Doctor Strange' Review: Marvel Magic!

8.3/10

Marvel's 14th Cinematic Universe movie ('Doctor Strange') has all the usual action and explosions, but it also has a different type of main character, one who's magical and appealingly flawed but willing to change. Chiefly known as a horror director, helmer Scott Derrickson unexpectedly adds plenty of playfulness and humor to a story that could have been steeped in self-serious exoticism and mysticism. It helps that Cumberbatch and Swinton, as well as Benedict Wong as the keeper of the spellbook library, bring so much personality to their roles.

Most of Doctor Strange's seriousness is a burden carried by Chiwetel Ejiofor's Mordo character, but comic fans will at least know the reason why and he does it very well. Unfortunately, the best character moments tend to cool down and fizzle out during the big action sequences. But some of those scenes, which have beautiful "folding" effects as the sorcerers change the environment around them, are quite impressive and rather trippy, especially as Strange learns his powers. As the movie's climax arrives, the action becomes bigger and less involving. Still, it's thrilling to see Strange embrace his inner spirit, finding power by going with the current, instead of against it.