‘Doctor Strange’ is intelligent, witty and mystical

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There has been a seemingly endless stream of films (fourteen) released for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). When you add the dozens of movies based on DC Comics, we had every reason to expect another bloated and tedious array of computerized sensory assaults in a mind-numbing formula, designed mostly to gratify rabid fan-boys. Okay, all that’s included, but there’s something else here.

“Doctor Strange” is a more intelligent, witty and mystical experience than prior MCU flicks. The effects involve a nightmarish fusion of reality bending, architecturally shape-shifting dreamscapes, similar to what we saw in Leonardo DiCaprio’s “Inception” (2010), especially vivid in 3D.

Although almost every A-list actor expressed interest in the lead role, the filmmakers’ first choice was Benedict Cumberbatch. “Benebatch” had prior commitments, but as schedules changed, we are now able to understand their reasoning. It’s almost as if everything Cumberbatch has done prepared him for this role. Sure, it’s a comic book character, but he can do for this franchise what Robert Downey Jr. did for Iron Man.

As we were not familiar with Doctor Strange, this origin story presented an intriguing view of the good doctor as a brilliant, but arrogant neurosurgeon. After suffering a horrible accident in his Lamborghini, Strange loses the functionality of his hands. In search of a miracle cure and out of options, the desperate doctor seeks

alternative medical practices that lead him to a secret location in Kathmandu, Nepal. Upon arrival, he is handed a card with the word, “Shambala” and asks, “What’s this, my mantra?” The response, “It’s the wi-fi password, we’re not savages.” Later, he meets The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), “You think you know how the world works. You think this material universe is all there is. What if I told you the reality you know is one of many?” He can now heal himself through mysticism and alternate dimensions, or do even more.

In preparation, Cumberbatch spent a year teaching English in a Buddhist monastery in India. He claims it had a profound influence on his life. “I now meditate to calm myself, focus my mind to be a kinder, more considerate person.” He also hired a personal trainer to bulk up and a dancer to make his spell-casting gestures appear more fluid and agile.

Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen “Casino Royale”), a former student has turned to the dark side, announcing, “I do not seek to rule this world. I seek to destroy it!” Very cliché, but Mikkelson makes it sound threatening. Describing Kaecilius, “He’s not necessarily wrong. He wants to make the planet wonderful and save the world, but has a different way of doing it.” That might be a stretch, but only Doctor Strange can stop him.

Director Scott Derrickson keeps a balance between creative and weird, imaginative and intelligent and humorous and serious. He believed so strongly in this story, he spent his own money on a concept video to get Marvel to hire him. Derrickson describes Strange, “He transforms through suffering. He goes through the loss of everything in a really painful, unbearable way. And eventually finds self-transcendence in something mystical.”

The supporting cast includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benjamin Bratt and Benedict Wong. It was filmed in Kathmandu, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles and New York. If you look closely, the Avengers Building can be seen in the New York skyline.

“Doctor Strange” is 115 minutes and rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action. Strange acts as an intermediary between the real world and what lies beyond. He is told, “Heroes like the Avengers protect the world from physical dangers, we safeguard it against mystical threats.” And, “We never lose our demons, only learn to live above them.”

Creators Stan Lee and Steve Ditko based Doctor Stephen Strange’s appearance, including the cloak of levitation, on the late actor Vincent Price. It’s interesting how these characters turn to the dark side to gain eternal life. What we don’t understand is that at the end, these immortal beings are killed anyway; very “strange” indeed.

Ron’s Rating: B+                   Leigh’s Rating: B+