Director: Sam Raimi
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Science Fiction
Runtime: 127
minutes
Year:
2022
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor,
Rachel McAdams, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg, Bruce Campbell, Patrick
Stewart, Hayley Atwell, John Krasinski
Description: Doctor
Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) teams up with a mysterious teenage girl (Xochitl
Gomez) from his dreams who can travel across multiverses, to battle multiple
threats, including other-universe versions of himself, which threaten to wipe
out millions across the multiverse. They seek help from Wanda the Scarlet Witch,
Wong and others.
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Science Fiction
The shift in tone is largely due to director Sam Raimi, who we of course already know from the original Spider-Man trilogy with Tobey Maguire, a collection of solid horror films and true classics like the “Evil Dead” series (some might even recognize “Evil Dead”’s Bruce Campbell in a funny cameo). At first glance, the coice of Raimi seems very good, as a horror aspect lends itself very well to the characters of “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, but there are a few problems.
Let’s start with what is rock solid in the film: the acting. In particular Elizabeth Olsen, who once again pays the role of Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlet Witch. She deserves a lot of credit for her performance and she even overshadows who is supposed to be the star in the film, Benedict Cumberbatch.
Cumberbatch is strong as well, but where
he is supposed to be the star, Olsen clearly takes the spotlight.
The fact that every actor and actress gives a fantastic performance is also due to the excellent writing of the film. It is clear that a lot of thought has gone into this film. And even though it’s over 2 hours long, you hardly notice it.
The fact that every actor and actress gives a fantastic performance is also due to the excellent writing of the film. It is clear that a lot of thought has gone into this film. And even though it’s over 2 hours long, you hardly notice it.
With a grim tone and the new horror aspect, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” not only manages to surprise, but also manages to set a new standard for Marvel films. While the film is very good and takes two steps forward for Marvel, it unfortunately also takes a step backwards.
The horror genre has been plagued by terribly chewed out clichés and cheap jump scares for decades. Dramatic sound effects are added to those jump scares and various characters make stupid decisions. There is nothing worse for a film than overused clichés, and this is the biggest weakness for “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”.
With a rock-solid story, exceptional acting and surprising new elements, “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” manages to live up to most expectations. In fact, the film manages to exceed many of them. Besides all the spectacle, there are also more than enough easter eggs to be found and for Marvel fans it will again be an absolute delight to see Doctor Strange in action.
Rating: 3,5/ 5
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