There is little doubt that the reason why the rivalry between the two largest
comic groups, Marvel and DC, that the reason that the former is dominating films
is the incredible planning that has gone into the creation, production, and
release of their movies. Marvel has divided their cinematic universe, MCU, into
discrete phases, each one carefully introducing new characters, assembling
different teams and building a robust gallery of increasingly powerful villains.
Phase one began back in 2008 and concluded four years later. Phase two began in
2013 and extended until 2015. We are now in the third phase of establishing the
Marvel universe may have now taken us beyond superheroes defending the Earth out
into the cosmos, and it’s a mystical world of magic. This magnitude of planning
exceeds what is usually in employed by military organizations and governments.
Marvel has been developing and meticulously executing a plan that is now
approaching a decade of record-breaking movies. Not only all the box office
receipts in the billions of dollars but most of the films have managed to
receive exceptional critical acclaim earning them recognition is not only the
best comic book movies but incredible films of any genre. Now with the
implementation of Marvel’s Phase 3, a pivotal point has been reached. The
introduction of magic has finally arrived. The concept established back in the
first phase that will be considered magic is a technology far beyond our current
understanding. This concept is not new, Isaac Asimov initially forwarded the
idea several decades ago. That brings us to the film under consideration,
‘Doctor Strange.' This outing is the third movie featuring the Sorcerer Supreme.
The first was abysmal, made for television flick in 1978 followed by an animated
movie in 2007 that was part of an official release series by Marvel. Neither of
these could prepare you for two are about to see as you sit down to experience
this ultimate incarnation of Dr. Stephen Strange.
In keeping with the exceptionally high standards established for the MCU fans
and not have to reform for their first encounter with the mind-bending Mystic
Arts. The story opens with a bit of a prolog at the rebellious sorcerer
Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) company with some of the zealots break into a library
of ancient mystic books kept in a secret compound located in Kathmandu, Nepal.
After brutally murdering the librarian Kaecilius is one of the books and has out
a couple of pages before opening a magical to leave. This installment of the
franchise is just an appetizer to tease the audience as we are about to witness
some of the most incredible special effects ever committed to film. We then
moved back to the mundane world, New York City, where one of the most brilliant
neurosurgeons, Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) was asked by his
colleague to consult on a particularly tricky procedure. That surgeon was an
also Strange’s occasional lover, Dr. Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams). Dr.
Strange is a narcissist, who rose in his brilliance and superiority. It is
little effort is picking up a scalpel; Dr. Strange humiliates another surgeon,
Dr. Nick West (Michael Stuhlbarg). Later, Strange is back in his luxurious
apartment is preparing for a formal dinner. His walk-in closet is cavernous; the
draw holding his extensive collection of wristwatches is mechanized, turning the
watches for display as he makes his selection. Heading out in his sports car
Strange is navigating a twisting country road in the rain. He received a phone
call from one of his assistants was forwarded and x-ray for his consideration.
Distracted for just a moment, you sidetracked by another vehicle and careened
down an embankment during the crash the dashboard falls back crushing both of
his hands. When he awakens in the hospital looks in horror at his hands held
together by a broad array of pins and metal bars.
The damage is so extensive that even the best surgeons are available in offer
little to no hope of any recovery. During one of his sessions of occupational
therapy Strange is told by his therapist of a man who had a crushed spine,
inoperable, that left him with severe neurological deficit hopelessly unable to
walk. He tells the disbelieving Dr. Strange that a miracle occurred and the man
experienced a full recovery. After all his options have been exhausted, and most
of his bank account depleted, Strange receives the details about the patient,
Jonathan Pangborn (Benjamin Bratt). Obsessed with tracking him down Strange
finally, finds Pangborn playing basketball. The only thing that he’ll tell him
about his recovery was that it was due to the enlightenment of his mind,
utilizing techniques he learned in a monastery, Kamar-Taj, located in Kathmandu.
Dr. Strange makes his way to the remote location and after much searching
finally makes it into an Academy for sorcerers one by the Ancient One (Tilda
Swinton). Initially reluctant to take him on as a student he is convinced by one
of the masters in residence, Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Strange has always been a
man of science, driven by empiricism unable to even consider the existence of
magic. The Ancient One explained that it is just science beyond current
understanding and to prove a point she slams the heel and into his chest
knocking his astral projection momentarily out of the body. It is at this moment
that Stephen Strange realizes that he is on the threshold of a multiverse full
of a plethora of possibilities.
All the requisite points contained in a training montage are present in this
movie. Thanks to his eidetic memory and is innate ability to correlate and
synthesize facts, Dr. Strange makes extraordinary progress accomplishing all
more in months than most acolytes could achieve over the course of years. He
devours the ancient books of spells becoming familiar with ancient languages
during his studies. He strikes up a friendship with the current librarian, Wong
(Benedict Wong), the replacement for his predecessor murdered in the first
scene. Strange Sue Masters many spells most consider far too advanced for his
current status. The Ancient One takes a special interest in his progress as does
Master Mordo. The second act of the story begins when one of the three Sanctums
that protect the earth supernatural menaces is under attack by Kaecilius and his
zealots. They have undergone a ritual based on the stolen pages that allow them
to pull supernatural energy from Dormammu of the Dark Dimension, imbuing them
with an incredible amount of supernatural power enabling them to come close to
defeating Strange and Mordo as they try to defend the New York sanctum. During
the explosive battle newly named Master Strange acquires to special artifacts,
Eye of Agamotto. Letting him control over time in sentient Cloak of Levitation
chooses him as its owner and not only can allow him to fly, but it can also
collectively protect its new owner. This segues into the third act which is
beyond description and must be experienced.
The character Doctor Strange was the creation of the amazingly talented team
of Artist Steve Ditko and writer Stan Lee in 1963. This place the period of his
creation is on the precipice of one of the most socially pivotal times in
history, the 60s defined by the youth distancing themselves from the
establishment and experimenting with various psychotropic substances. The
drawings provided by Mr. Ditko are similar in many respects to the Underground
Comic books that popularized swirling shapes and colors of the
psychedelic artwork. I remember being a fan of these comics and
being extremely impressed by my new attention to detail exhibited by Mr. Ditko.
The colorful images leaped off the page pulling you into the surreal universe
inhabited by sorcerers. But I first learned that Dr. Strange is going to be made
into a live-action movie, ignoring the existence of the 1978 attempt, I was very
dubious about how well those images in the comic books would translate to the
big screen. This would have been entirely impossible to the current level of
technology has been realized. The availability of high-resolution video and
‘Real 3-D’, graphics was a prerequisite to achieving a realistic attempt to
bring this journey into the imagination to life.
A crucial plot point to this story is the ability of the highly trained up
echelon of sorcerers to be able to manipulate time and space. Their control over
reality made it possible for them to lift the entire streets containing a myriad
of buildings twisting them in impossible angles as they soar into the sky,
splitting reforming and careening off in impossible angles. If you thought you
saw all this before the 2010 science fiction movie, ‘Inception,' that is akin to
believing you understand the works of Nietzsche, Camus, and Sartre because you
read the Wikipedia article on their individual bibliographies. The closest I can
come to describing what was displayed on the screen is it Steve Ditko and will
M. C. Escher dropped a copious amount of psychedelic substances and were able to
channel your imaginations practical and CGI special effects employed here.
Obviously, many studios are infusing 3-D effects into their movies. Starting
with Phase 2, this MCU has taken the illusion that an entirely different level
is constantly resetting the gold standard ever higher. Not only is the imagery
exceptionally trippy, ideally enhanced by the full use of speakers driven by the
7.1 DTS High Definition Audio. Sounds, music, and dialogue move around the room
passing the focus of the soundstage from one speaker to the next. This is not a
case of all sizzle, no steak. The narrative is extraordinary in its execution
providing the audience with a highly cohesive plot completely devoid of
superfluous fillers or plot contrivances. Every single frame is pertinent to
driving the story and furthering the character development. Each special effect,
the nuances of the set design and costumes are critical to the story and how it
unfolds. Thus far most of the installments of the MCU have been exceptional
films, but this one is truly groundbreaking. Aside from the technological
wonders exhibited here the humanity infused by the fantastic performances
elevating the film to greater heights than any previous movie derived from comic
books. Benedict Cumberbatch has already made a name for himself mastering such
iconic roles as the latest BBC version of Sherlock Holmes and his Academy Award
Best Actor nomination for ‘The Imitation Game.' Mads Mikkelsen has considerable
experience portraying the incarnation of pure evil thanks to three seasons as
the extremely intelligent cannibalistic serial killer, Hannibal Lecter. The
synergy achieved through their juxtaposition must be experienced to appreciate.
 | A Strange Transformation – Open your eye to a new dimension of the Marvel
Cinematic Universe, and see how the filmmakers brought one of comic books’
greatest characters to life. |
 | Strange Company – Find out what it’s like for the cast to work on a Marvel
film, and how Director Scott Derrickson engineered one of the most ambitious,
imaginative films ever. |
 | The Fabric of Reality – Take a closer look at the movie’s extraordinary
sets, meticulously crafted costumes, and amazingly detailed production
elements. |
 | Across Time and Space – Explore the countless hours of dance and fight
choreography the actors endured in preparation for their physically demanding
roles. |
 | The Score-cerer Supreme – Join Composer Michael Giacchino and a full
orchestra during live recording sessions, and experience the movie’s
mind-bending music. |
 | Marvel Studios Phase 3 Exclusive Look – Get an early peek at Marvel’s
spectacular upcoming films, including Marvel Studios’ "Guardians of the Galaxy
Vol. 2," "Thor: Ragnarok," "Black Panther" and "Avengers: Infinity War." |
 | Team Thor: Part 2 – See more of the hilarious partnership between Thor and
his roommate Darryl in this satirical short. |
 | Deleted Scenes |
 | Strange Meets Daniel Drumm |
 | Kaecilius Searches for Answers |
 | The Kamar-Taj Courtyard |
 | Making Contact |
 | Lost in Kathmandu |
 | Gag Reel |
 | Audio Commentary by Director Scott Derrickson |
 | The Doctor Strange digital release will also include an exclusive
featurette called "Through the Keyhole: The Science of the MCU." |