'Doctor Strange' Review
10:38 AM
1. SPOILER ALERT!
2. Coming from an ordinary person who loves to watch movie in general (and watch Benedict Cumberbatch) not an avid fans of Marvel nor a professional movie blogger
So...
I just watched Doctor Strange yesterday's afternoon and I was so excited!
Been waiting for so long, and during class when one of my friend open the theatre's website and found out that Doctor Strange is playing, I just can't wait any longer :)
I never read Marvel's comics and really was going there with empty brain but just full of excitement. Though I have no background idea or basic knowledge, I can enjoy the movie very well because I know nothing about the plot and I also don't have those but-it-is-supposed-to-be-like-this moment.
I watched it in IMAX 3D (and I recommend you to do so too if you can handle the dizziness of 3D glasses) and I did not regret it at all, because it was SO GOOD! I guess this movie is perfectly made for 3D :D
First of all, I think it was a very good choice to choose Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange. He's always good with playing roles as arrogant neat selfish narcissistic gentleman who likes to show-off and brags, yet annoyingly a witty, genius, logical and dependable person (just like how he act as Sherlock). He can also act very well to recreate Doctor Strange depressed moments, when as a prideful doctor and surgeon he lost his main weapon which are his hands due to the car accident.
Third, the movie, for me, is a combination of Harry Potter, a little bit of The Matrix, Inception and Sorcerer's Apprentice (visual effect wise, not plot wise). See photos down below if you wanna know why (or how?)
Fourth, I really can see the chemistry between Stephen Strange and the other characters. With Christine Palmer, we can see how he transitioned from egoistic and someone who only cares about himself to someone who realize how worthy and sincere is Christine to him.
Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer
With The Ancient One, he changes from a stubborn and distrustful person to having such closeness with her that he can understands her reason for using evil power to do good things and saving the world.
Tilda Swinton as The Ancient One
Strange also have a good relationship with Wong, with their banters, how he tries to make Wong laughs and his tricks in facing Wong's discipline attitude.
Benedict Wong as Wong
His fight with Kaecilius is also good, with their fast movements and equally good skills, it's like a fight where you are not really sure which one actually got the upper hand. It's also not all tense and nerve-racking, but also filled with little humour as well. They are both doing what they view is right for what they think is a good purpose. Mads Mikkelsen portrays a villain very well, even with what he did in Hannibal, as Kaecilius he is also scary and relentless.
Mads Mikkelsen as Kaecilius
Last but not least, the plot. I think it felt a little bit rushed, with Strange quickly becoming as skillful as the villain (but maybe it is caused by his fast-learning ability?) and how we fast the revelation is that The Ancient One actually use dark power as well for good's sake. Somehow the plot is like.. like.. putting a lot of stuffs inside a suitcase? But it is understandable because there is no way a 2-hour-ish movie could contain everything completely from the background story to the process and the resolution. Storyline is good though, for audiences who are not a Marvel comics reader, the way Strange resolves the situation is quite smart and the way he uses both his analytical and what he has learnt so far is super cool (and funny). Ending is quite.. not as mindblowing as I thought it would be I guess, but well we have Doctor Strange 2 right? ;)
Overall, I suggest you to watch it because it is satisfying, in terms of storyline and visual effects and filmography. I think it is magnificent and not your ordinary superhero movies, basically. As Marvel comics reader, I think you'd be amazed and mesmerised to finally see it in moving pictures. As non-Marvel fans, you do not have to worry because you don't need to know anything to be able to enjoy it.
Anyway, do not forget that there are post-credits, and there will be 2 post-credits clips so make sure you do not leave the theatre and missed it :P
I hope this helps you if you're deciding whether you are going to watch it or not, and if you're already sure that you're going to watch,
Hope you all have a good time watching Doctor Strange! :)
Plot : 3.5/5
Visual : 4.5/5
THANK YOU FOR READING!
- Caroline Ongkowijoyo
(Pictures are from various sources)
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