‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ is a madcap rush (review)
The Master of the Mystic Arts returns to the silver screen this weekend as Marvel’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” opens with a massive $450 million worldwide opening, delighting Marvel Studios and Disney also became the biggest release of 2022 to date.
Warning: Potential spoilers ahead
But the multiverse may have been over-welcome as a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) plot device in this hasty love affair that features Doctor Strange traversing various realities to protect a dancing girl. dimension named America Chavez and prevent the Scarlet Witch from enslaving the multiverse using an evil spell book called the Darkhold.
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” once again introduces Benedict Cumberbatch as the official wizard, Benedict Wong as Wong, Rachel McAdams as Dr. Christine Palmer and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo. Also appearing on the magic fireworks show are Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez. (If you need a sci-fi update on the Marvel universe, check out our guide to the Marvel movies for how to watch Doctor Strange in Madness’s Multiverse after it hits theaters for Disney Plus and futures.) other services.)
The trailers and trailers for “Doctor Strange 2” are somewhat misleading about Scarlet Witch’s motives and purposes, so brace yourself for a sly bait and diversion.
It’s essentially a foregone conclusion that director Sam Raimi will bring his trademark horror show into a Marvel sequel with 2016’s “Doctor Strange,” and the result is a mind trip. troubling, blending into the depths of untapped madness associated with an often baffling short story. It was hoped that director Scott Derrickson would return to direct the sequel, but due to creative differences and limited time, he abandoned making “The Black Phone” early on.
Raimi severed his cinematic ties to hit horror films like “Evil Dead”, “Evil Dead II” and “Army of Darkness” before venturing into the more mainstream when Hollywood opened up. exploit his strange visions in the “Spider-Man” trilogy of the 2000s starring Tobey Maguire.
The last time Raimi directed a feature film was in 2013, when he directed “Oz the Great and Powerful”, and SFX technology has evolved tremendously since then, allowing the filmmaker to present some of the special effects are truly amazing, including a cyclopean space ink, musical notes that turn into magical shrapnel, and a patchy painted space.
“I didn’t come close to directing anything after that,” Raimi told Collider. “I need time after that to get hungry again, learn about filmmaking, take some lessons, garden.”
This latest MCU movie, which has been a long time in development, is at times a convoluted mess, worn out by the final battle, feeling like something other than a filial Harry Potter spectacle. motion. While Derrickson’s “Doctor Strange” offers a more tailored approach to the character and conveys the realism of his origin story, Raimi’s bombastic sequel feels like too many chefs do. broken broth story.
His flair for dramatic Dutch angles, immortal heroes, and sly demons is evident, and if your idea of a Doc Strange killer movie is that If a creepy damn witch clashes with a witch mother trying to unite with the children of her imagination, you’ll be thoroughly entertained. But prepare a set of earplugs!
The film is a big hit, often catchy, strangely unsettling and fast-paced all at once. Concluding in just over two hours (including the credits interlude), it’s one of the shortest MCU movies in recent memory, though you’ll be hard-pressed to find fans wanting to have it. Add any fiery sparks and mystical shields that explode in endless showers.
While 2016’s “Doctor Strange” feels like a convoluted, adult-oriented movie, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is put together as an after-school special. Acid stimulation with a teenage protagonist isn’t very appealing, at least not enough to anchor an entire MCU movie.
But the amazing special effects are what’s revealed here, and experiencing the space-shifting Cumberbatch between dimensions will make you feel like you’re stuck in a looping super coaster for two hours after eating one. some foot-long corn dogs and a funnel cake.
The mandatory post-credits surprise sets up the MCU’s future Multiverse Wars when the witch Clea (Charlize Theron) shows up to tell Strange he’s caused a dimensional invasion that needs to be addressed. overcome.
It takes essential references to Marvel TV shows like “WandaVision” and the “Avengers” movies, and a thorough understanding of past events in the MCU to fully understand what’s going on.
The discrete script, written by Michael Waldron (“Loki” of Disney Plus), features some unexpected scares and paranormal fireworks, but it doesn’t make sense if you dare stop to think about it. it too much.
In the comics, America Chavez is a strong lesbian Latina superheroine raised by two mothers, but here she becomes a regular teenager wearing an Old Glory jean jacket and a rainbow flag pin. There was an opportunity to create a compelling team here, but that never really showed. Her pairing with Doctor Strange and his empathy for her can seem awkward at times, with an inconsistent tone and a complete lack of chemistry.
One bright note we can attest is that Bruce Campbell, a former Raimi cast member (the “Evil” trilogy”) makes a delightful cameo as a pizza purveyor on an Earth. replacement land. When Doc Strange finished him off with a spell, he re-shot his famous punch-in-the-face scene in “Evil Dead II”.
Despite the speed of the express train, the tiresome road, and the huge plot hole, all the performances are very good, and it will be interesting if “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse” flies once. Or fail at the box office many have endured its Bizarro vibe.
Should multiverses be banned in Hollywood? Yes, please!
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is out in theaters now. You can check out our Marvel streaming guide to get a grip on the first “Doctor Strange” and the superhero’s multiverse.
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