Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
At a recent screening of Marvel’s latest spectacle Doctor Strange, I overheard a casual fan turn to his friend and ask:
Oi yo Iron Man wala ho ki Batman?
The subtle translation being is he DC or Marvel? In the Golden Age of superhero cinema that we live in, it is quite natural for the regular moviegoer to be a little confused by the sheer number of superhero movies. The collective anticipation and hype has all gone to a level not experienced before for the caped crusaders. What a time to be a geek!
The latest addition to the genre Doctor Strange or ‘that movie with Sherlock in it!’, however, is a blueprint of how to introduce a storied comic book character in the best way possible; something that Marvel has done quite magnificently before in Deadpool and Guardians of the Galaxy. In addition, there are several other reasons that make the movie even better (Spoilers ahead).
Benedict Cumberbatch’s American Accent
Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
I’m sorry, I just had to throw this one right out before we get to the other reasons. Well done Sherlock!
I waited the whole movie like a bully in the bushes waiting for Cumberbatch to slip so I could get up and scream “AHA!” Sadly, he was very good at it.
Who is Dr. Strange?
Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Now I’ll give you the shortest summary you will ever read of a movie. Ready?
Dr. Strange used to be a great surgeon till he crashed his car because he is an idiot and texts and drives. His arrogant prowess in the medical field is, thus, shattered. He alienates everybody and then finds a man who tells him to go to Nepal to meet the ‘Ancient One’ at a place called ‘Kamar-Taj’. There, he gains powers, battles a medium baddie then basically irritates the final boss Dormammu to basically give Strange what he wants.
Read also: No dawn of justice for the new ‘Batman Vs Superman’ movie? Here’s what you may have overlooked
But what is intriguing is how Marvel has treated the whole plot with the perfect balance of Strange’s desperation post surgery and his development as a sorcerer while not leaving his brutish attitude. Much like Ryan Reynolds from Deadpool, Benedict Cumberbatch is another homerun for the casting department as he fits the role perfectly and gives the character much depth.
The Mirror Dimension in 3D
Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
If you haven’t watched this movie in 3D, you kinda missed out. Owing to the superhero-fiction movie trend of the 2000s, filmmakers now base entire screenplays in the merit of the visuals. Doctor Strange keeps the bar up and has beautiful sequences that give you a roller coaster ride that just makes the whole thing that much better.
Kathmandu!
Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
There was this huge applause in the theatre when we see that ‘Kathmandu, Nepal’ shot with Swoyambhunath in the background. It’s cheesy but so good!
Cumberbatch walking down Thamel, New Road and Patan feels so surreal that I think everyone who saw the movie here in Nepal will brag it to their Western friends at every chance for sure. Also, it now gives you the gleeful joy of answering the age old question when you visit other countries:
A: Ne..pal? Oh I dunno where Nepal is?
B: It’s where Doctor Strange got his powers!
Dr. Strange’s Place in the Marvel Universe
Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Now big spoilers here, if you stuck around to see the credits roll, you may have caught the mid-credit scene that had Thor meeting Strange and them discussing how they would stop Loki.
There’s another one after ALL the credits roll out but I’ll let you YouTube that.
The inclusion of Dr. Strange brings in the onset of magic in the Marvel Universe and presents a hero that wields a different source of energy that is more meta-mental than meta-physical; a stark departure from what we have experienced with the Billionaire Playboys (see what I did there) and Mutants.
Now I could really spoil a lot for you and tell you where all of this might lead upto but it is important that one reads up about the Infinity Stones, one of which Strange has around his neck to really enjoy what is to come. Thanos is on the hunt for them and there is another one, somewhere in Asgard…
That’s all I’ll say.
Verdict
Doctor Strange gets a WOW because it is honestly, a great feature film that tells a story, builds a character from scratch for the masses and is an amazing 3 dimensional movie experience.
***
Read also
‘Captain America Civil War’ review: Summed up in three key moments
‘Suicide Squad’ movie review: Plagued with vague storytelling and half-hearted characters
