Nov 04, 2016 06:35 PM
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Here comes another origin story from the ancient trunk of Marvel Comics. And it has been a strangely eager waiting period. The trailers had, definitely, marked every neuron with the sense of delirium and exaggerated need to know more. Director Scott Derrickson, who has brought us the ingenious movies like Sinister and The Exorcism of Emily Rose(still chills run down the spine) is here with the extreme twisted and twirled product of CGI at its best
(let Inception shy away).
Seeing Sherlock take on the role of a doctor(strange?) eons away from the plummy tones of Hamlet and flashing an American accent is a perfect setup for anyone for not to miss this character. To put it in a simple way, what Robert Downey Jr. is to Iron Man, Ryan Reynolds is to Deadpool; that’s what Benedict Cumberbatch is to Doctor Strange. He is downright arrogant with the pinch of wit that oozes in every frame and makes him even more real.
Cumberbatch is Dr. Stephen Strange, who is a fierce neurosurgeon and has miracle hands, and ambitious enough to match his gargantuan ego, he won’t even take up cases if he thinks he can’t cure them. Christine Palmer(Rachel McAdams) an ER doctor loves him though he thinks that the idea of a romantic evening is inviting her to see him deliver a lecture. Then one dark night, while driving his Lamborghini Huracan and texting(that could have waited) he meets with an accident leaving his digits mangled and of no use to his profession. Cue a pity-party.
His need to get better and be back to what he does best take him to Kathmandu, Nepal. When he reaches the Himalayan temple of Kamar-Taj, he embarks on a phantasmagorical vision quest unlike we have ever seen done the studio. He meets The Ancient One(Tilda Swinton), a zen master who tells him “it’s not about you” and her clan of masters takes him on a journey where they can jump dimensions, body jumping spirits and transport through time and space. Now he is curious and his photographic memory wants to learn more and know even more. He becomes a disciple who can do things that he wills for and achieve greatness more than great warriors who were stronger than him.
It gets better with more characters that harness so much to the movie – Baron Mordo played by Chiwetel Ejiofor as a guide help weave supreme magic into this ‘strange’ origin plan. Mads Mikkelsen as Kaecilius, as the Ancient One’s treacherous disciple whose pact with demonic entity threatens to end the worlds as we know it. Benedict Wong as Wong, the protector of the Ancient One’s secret book. “What? Just one name.” asks Strange sardonically. “Like Adele or Beyonce.” Nope. Nothing like that at all, but much more and unique.
The movie is one of the killers franchise that anyone can reckon easily. All the MCU movies have had grounded visuals and elaborate action sequences. But Doctor Strange is here to change that with bringing eye-popping visuals and mind-boggling action sequences. You can see passing comets and get yourself sucked into the black void.
Doctor Strange is unique, deviating from the usual Marvel pattern and thus becomes its own living, breathing, thrilling thing. The much known and talked about Cloak of Levitation(his costume has unique comic timing), his encounter with the Dark Dimensions, and fighting scenes on the streets of New York where the skyscrapers fold and turn like a kaleidoscope, which is daunting enough to haunt your nightmares. Through all this Doctor Strange is on the path of becoming the supreme sorcerer. Cumberbatch catches this character in a fascinating way and justifies it with his sheer talent.
The end credits suggest that Doctor Strange is going get suit up with the Avengers and it is going to be total crackling.
Till then Doctor Strange has made his mark and it is downright badass beauty.
