Doctor Strange:
MAGIC!
Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve got some good news. As of a few weeks ago, I’ve completed my graduate courses and am now a Master of Literature & Writing! So this time, we’re going to celebrate by doing something I’ve never done before: We’re going to talk about a film that’s still in theaters! …Provided you’re reading this in January of 2017!
This time around, we’re going to look at Doctor Strange, the newest Marvel film and an absolute anomaly. The film, surrounding the titular Doctor Stephen Strange and the accident that sends him on a quest to heal his body through the mystic arts, is a bizarre choice for the science-driven Marvel films as well as a bizarre film overall. The film is filled with quick-moving exposition, mind-bending effects, and a style that distances itself from much of its fellow Marvel films. Whether or not these elements are individually positives or negatives requires a deeper dive into the films, but I can certainly say that I enjoyed Doctor Strange. It certainly wasn’t the greatest film I’ve seen from the genre, but it was more than merely pleasing.
So let’s start this off with addressing some possible bias: Yes, I’m a Marvel fanboy. I’ve read my fair share of comics, seen every Marvel Cinematic Universe (or MCU) film, and am constantly reading up on the latest comic and movie news for the publishing giants. And yes, DC certainly has a spot in my heart, but that’s for a different day. Right now, we’re talking about the kings of superhero movies and one of the juggernauts of film franchises. However, I don’t want any readers to think I see no flaws within these films. I know that many of them end in the same over-the-top battles. I’m perfectly aware at how uninteresting the villains can be. Even I know how little death often means in these films. When I look at these films, as with almost every film I watch, I want them to be good. However, I am always prepared for the worst.
So let’s get into the first question I always ask: How is the plot? Well, it’s a good plot overall. I’m hesitant to praise it too highly, however, because it’s got more than a few stumbles. In Doctor Strange, we follow the titular former neuro-surgeon fresh off the heels of an accident that cost him the precise use of his hands. Amidst desperately looking for a way to regain control over his newly-trembling hands, he looks towards the mystic arts and a mysterious teacher known as The Ancient One. Stephen Strange, portrayed by the spectacular Benedict Cumberbatch, soon finds himself confronted by supernatural evil as he tries to come to grips with what he does not fully understand. The film’s plot is the classic good versus evil plot with a dash of fish-out-of-water characteristics by way of Stephen’s approaching magic with a scientific eye. This disappointed me a bit, as I was hoping for a more complex approach to the world of magic, incorporating shades of grey in ways that felt original. I will say that a few elements surprised me in how the film ended up playing out, but it mostly ended up feeling stuck in that basic good guy-bad guy plot instead of the complex relationships I’d hoped for. While the good versus evil side has been done before, it’s the characters that really make it work. Cumberbatch was an amazing pick for the character of Dr. Strange, bringing that same level of arrogance and charisma that worked so well in Sherlock. Unlike with Holmes, here Cumberbatch gets the chance to demonstrate humility and shame in a way that makes him all the more accessible. Likewise, Tilda Swinton’s Ancient One is subtle in her amazing power. Every time she speaks, her gentle voice demands your attention and respect. Benedict Wong as Wong was full of a reserved energy. Every moment he was on screen, it always felt as though he could silence the world with a single word if he chose to. At the same time, Wong was amazingly funny when it suited the moment. There is one moment in which he plays into a somewhat more buffoonish personality, but it works so well considering how powerful he is. I honestly only wish Wong was in the film more. Likewise, Chiwetel Ejiofor’s performance as Karl Mordo was a bit underwhelming. I love seeing Ejiofor on-screen, always giving off an air that is dignified and commanding. While he got plenty of time on-screen for Doctor Strange, it just feels as though he was more an exposition machine than anything. I honestly wish he’d been given more time to shine, demonstrating that air of authority he pulls off so well.
The plot, of course, had its shortcomings as well. The main issue for me was the learning curve for the film’s mystical world, as well as how fast it moved. Considering the film takes its time to start the mysticism plot, you’d expect it to be slow and subtle upon getting to the world of mystic arts. This film is more like being helped down the first 4 stairs at a slow pace before merely being shoved so you tumble down the rest in record time. Suddenly, you’re learning about the world of magic and you’re expected to absorb everything that’s discussed. A few times throughout the film, I found myself wishing I’d been taking notes on what artifact did what and what the history of this world was. If you’d tested me outside the theater after the film, I’d likely have wound up with a solid C. It moves at a speed that will constantly make you question what information is new and what you’ve heard before, sometimes making it hard to keep up. Likewise, Mads Mikkelsen as the villainous Kaecilius was all too forgettable. For an actor with an innate air of devious intentions, he ends up just feeling… There. He doesn’t get a memorable monologue, a scene that makes him stand out, or even a chance to ham it up. I’d have loved to see him given a chance to have fun with the role, to scare me the way I know he can. Miserably, Mr. Mads Mikkelsen’s madness is missing (I’m so sorry). While these flaws don’t completely take away from the film, they do somewhat drag Dr. Strange down.
Now that that’s out of the way, let’s take a look at the sound of the film: How does it fare? Well… Ok, I guess. In terms of music, I have to say that it’s not really memorable. I’m a bit disappointed that the only song I actually remember from the film is a throw-away joke. That’s not to say that the score doesn’t work, it just doesn’t stick out in my mind. Uplifting orchestral scores are commonplace in this genre, and Doctor Strange is no exception. However, I will say that I loved the use of sound effects. The magic especially was effective, fitting every small gesture by the mystics in time with the effects. Likewise, different types of magic have different sounds. While a whip comprised of energy will sound as though it’s sparking with violent energy, a shield of the same nature will hum lightly. It all feels incredibly right, making every spell feel as though it were as natural as the person invoking it. While the music is somewhat of a let-down, the use of sound to enhance the world is really something worth raving about.
Ok, but how does Doctor Strange look? Well before we get into that, I’d like to note that I saw the film in 3D. Some films I don’t really see a point to the technology. It can be gimmicky and incredibly jarring, especially when a filmmaker decides to constantly flaunt the technology. In my personal ideal, an added dimension should merely draw you further into the world. You should feel as though the distance between characters is more tangible, as well as your relative distance to them. With that having been said, Doctor Strange looked amazing. The 3D was sparingly in your face, instead opting to make you feel as though you were a passive participant in the film. Visually, the film is stunning. Right away, it becomes easy to notice how muted the colors of the standard world are. All that changes when introduced to the mystical world, marked by bright oranges, blues, reds, and greens. This separation sticks out, even if the conscious mind may not immediately recognize it. Additionally, the shooting style is fantastic. The transition from “Stephen Strange, student of the mystic arts” to “Stephen Strange, mystic extraordinaire” is reflected in how the camera choose to present him. Specifically, the use of wide shots to make him seem insignificant at the beginning of his training is incredibly effective. Likewise, the bending of reality is reflected in how certain scenes will feel utterly unearthly through use of a tilted camera or shifting shots. There were a few moments in which the world suddenly changed before me and I was left with nothing to say beyond a hushed “wow.” But, of course, this shooting style would mean nothing if the effects weren’t any good. The effects, of course, aren’t good. The effects are stunning. The magic of the film differs greatly from spell to spell, going from tough and rigid to fluid and threatening. Each magic item and technique holds its own weight that feels oddly natural. Nothing about them feels like effects. It’s almost as though there’s something instinctively right about the way magic is portrayed, not as some mystical ball of energy being produced but as an extension of the actors’ bodies. And, of course, the world-bending is stunning. The style of shifting cities and streets is similar to Inception in its introduction. However, the way in which logic is thrown out the window is something new entirely. There’s a helplessness when hallways and streets start to betray characters, no longer having anywhere they can possibly run as they are dragged towards enemies. The audience feels this panic, understanding it regardless of who is on the receiving end. In terms of style, this film is absolutely amazing. I can’t praise its visual effects enough.
Now, for the re-watch value… I’m going to be honest, this movie doesn’t seem like it’s worth re-watching too many times. The film’s take on magic and the history behind it are rather chaotic and hard to follow, meaning the world won’t grow from a second viewing. If you’re trying to build up to the newest Marvel film, maybe you’d want to take another look. However, I feel the only real thing worth watching this film a few more times would be the effects. I love to dissect and analyze films, much to the annoyance of my entire family. When looking at effects I constantly aim to observe as much detail as I can, looking for how they’re layered and tracked in the film as well as if their effects linger. As far as I could tell from a single viewing of Doctor Strange, the effects were placed wonderfully and constantly left sparks in their wake. However, I really would love a second viewing to devote purely to understanding the full impact of these magical weapons. I love to see detail like that put into the world of film, and this was a regard in which the film succeeded constantly. However, I’d honestly say it’s not really worth a second viewing if you’re not an obsessive film geek like myself.
I genuinely enjoyed Dr. Strange. While the plot is not the strongest, the music is a bit lacking in character, and there’s not much to come back to, the combination of strong characters, great shooting, and jaw-dropping effects is enough to make me recommend this film. This won’t be your favorite film ever and it may not even be in your top 100. As far as I’m concerned, however, this film is worth seeing at least once if only to marvel at the magical elements. This film doesn’t come with a glowing recommendation, but it at least shines a little. So take a seat, grab some popcorn, and be ready to love Benedict Cumberbatch more than you already do. Happy viewing.