Doctor Strange, the latest Marvel product, is
a head trip. Fun, trippy special effects and a crazy plot about time and mind
over matter makes this rather cerebral. Brains over brawn. As
Entertainment Weekly points out “it wouldn’t work as well as it does without
Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton – two actors who in addition to being
intelligent, top-shelf stars both project a slightly alien, otherworldly
air.” So true. They are clever and seductive, giving their
characters a lot of depth.
Cumberbatch, as Dr. Stephen Strange is an ego surgeon who’s
a charming jerk. Rachel McAdams has the thankless job of fellow doctor/former
love interest. After a horrible car accident, his hands are ruined so he
looks for a cure in Nepal. Word has it that there is An Ancient One who can
teach one mind control and more. Let the brain do the healing. Swinton is
perfect as the mystic. Her right hand man, Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is the day
to day trainer. Soon Strange is moving beyond logic – dimensional portals,
teleportation, and more, plus weird facial hair. Meanwhile the dark forces of
Kaecilius seeks to destroy the Ancient One, but Doctor Strange, now in his
levitation cloak seems to have the upper hand.
Doctor Strange is just bizarre fun – high IQ
wit and just wicked special effects raise the bar. Again as, EW says,
“it’s eye candy and brain candy.” Perfect afternoon at the theater.
and P.S. stay for the final, final, final credits and see that Marvel tidbit more
