Marvel’s Doctor Strange Film Review

All week long I’ve shared insider information about Marvel’s Doctor Strange film and the amazing talent in the movie. Today, I’m adding to that coverage with a no-spoiler review of the film. Doctor Strange officially opened in theaters today, Friday November 4th!

Doctor Strange Film Review

About Doctor Strange:

From Marvel Studios comes “Doctor Strange,” the story of world-famous neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he is forced to look for healing, and hope, in an unlikely place—a mysterious enclave known as Kamar-Taj. He quickly learns that this is not just a center for healing but also the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying our reality. Before long Strange—armed with newly acquired magical powers—is forced to choose whether to return to his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.

Doctor Strange Visual Effects

As mentioned in the interview with Director, Scott Derrickson, the visuals in this film are very different from any other Marvel movie. Scott mentioned instead of using them for destroying, “I just felt committed to the idea of using those big expensive visual effects for something else, something new, something more interesting, and specifically, something trippy, and weird. And to give the audience an unexpected experience.”

He delivered on that vision. The visual effects in this film are wicked crazy, twisty, turny, and very trippy. Scott also mentioned, “the weird imagery of the movie is so rooted in the Steve Ditko artwork from that era. I listened to almost nothing but psychedelic rock from that era, while I was working on this screenplay.”

If you are someone who gets motion sickness, I recommend not seeing the 3D version of the film – stick with the regular viewing. The visual effects are amazing and something I’ve never before seen in a film.

Action

If you love Marvel films for their hard-hitting action and adventure. Doctor Strange will not disappoint. There are plenty of fight and combat scenes in the film. During our interview with Benedict Cumberbatch, he mentioned specific training in tutting to learn how to do the spell hand movements, but there’s also a lot of “Tai Chi to Kung Fu, to the fight style.”

Mads Mikkelsen who plays Kaecilius, a villain in Doctor Strange, said he was on board right away once Scott mentioned Kung Fu. He said, “I’ve always wanted to be Bruce Lee when I was a kid.” So this was a dream role for him.

The message

There’s a moment in the film where Tilda, who plays The Ancient One, mentions “it’s not about you.” She’s speaking to Benedict in the scene and it’s a powerful moment. It’s a great reminder to all of us that life is more than just about ourselves. There’s something deeper. It’s a postive message that I think will resonate with a lot of people young and old.

I am a huge fan of Rachel McAdams and really enjoyed seeing her in a different role for this film. She plays a highly skilled trauma surgeon who is Dr. Strange’s colleague and friend. She doesn’t put on a costume and play a superhero, but she is as a nurse in her own right. In preparing for her role she mentioned drawing strength from her own mom who is a nurse in real life, “shadowing some amazing brain surgeons, a female brain surgeon in Toronto, another surgeon in London.” Also learning to do sutures and practicing on turkey breasts and oranges.

Do I think the film is for young kids? No, I wouldn’t say so. Although there is great messaging and fantastic action scenes. I think it’s best for adults and teens or older children.

Doctor Strange is in theaters everywhere now! Check out the movie trailer below: