Director Scott Derrikson’s Marvel blockbuster Dr Strange is a visual effects rollercoaster ride that is non-stop from the word go, but unlike the juggernaut films of its predecessor’s bar maybe Antman, it has a decent storyline to match the astounding 3D effects.
The film is a welcome respite from the usual Marvel actor’s super heroes with English actor Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role as Dr Steven Strange, the gifted neuro surgeon who after a car accident sets course to Kathmandu to find a cure for his hands.
Of course, Strange learns secrets and endless wisdom tit bits now found on Facebook wall post memes and ends up fighting antagonist Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) and the dark forces of Dormammu on Earth with a couple of his minions – a tall order perhaps? Not for the caped one, obviously.
While not a fan of Rachel McAdams, Captain America or Spidey didn’t stop me enjoying this movie. Cumberbatch overall does a decent job of bringing Steve Ditko’s Marvel comic hero to life, although he flipped in and out of his half Pom/American accent frequently, I conceded to his cool demeanour, a fallible but good guy underneath his arrogant Sherlock-esque superhuman form, which he plays to a tee.
Great to see Chiwetel Ejiofor back in films as the elusive Karl Mordo the student of the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) and Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale) is delicious as evil baddie Kaecilius who goes awol bending reality on modern day Earth to track down Strange in a classic ‘cat and mouse’ game, both provide backbone to the film, while Tilda Swinton looking Airbender-ish as The Ancient One rounds off a solid and effective cast.
It’s a film I think will have mass appeal, there’s a great dollop of humour that is now becoming a trait with these movies (Deadpool, Guardians, Antman) and Cumberbatch in the lead role will garnish interest outside his Sherlock realm. I was impressed by the 3D which back in the day caused headaches and that was before putting on the glasses, and the visual fest isn’t distracting to the point of switching off the watcher’s attention.
In my opinion Dr Strange is way better than Superman’s latest outing, think of it as Harry Potter for older kids, if you enjoyed Guardians of the Galaxy or Antman, Cumberbatch’s Dr Strange will hold you spellbound.
