The 3rd Phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) takes a dramatic departure from science fiction to examine the mystic sciences with a visually impressive, mind bending, multidimensional origin story, detailing how one of the world’s leading surgeons loses the fine functions of his hands after a car accident, to become the world’s leading sorcerer... and it is disappointing.

Starring Sherlock Holmes’ Benedict Cumberbatch and Hannibal's Mads Mikkelsen, with Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams and Tilda Swinton, Doctor Strange is Marvel’s big screen followup to Captain America: Civil War.

Testament to the meteoritic growth of Marvel Studios’ cinematic success after suffering crippling financial losses in the Late 90s, cinemas showing Marvel’s latest blockbuster were packed to capacity across the UAE, so getting a last minute ticket online was nearly impossible. But I was willing to drag my best friend to Dubai from Ajman on a busy Thursday night to see this film, as I believed the sacrifice would be worth it. Taking place in the same continuity as The Avengers series, a certain level of quality is expected of any movie (and television show) branding the title ‘Marvel Studios’, and boasting membership of the MCU (something which Fantastic Four, The X-Men and up until recently Spiderman, do not have). Captain America: The Winter Soldier was amazing, the Daredevil television series continues to impress and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D has significantly improved since its troubled debut… So what could possibly go wrong with Doctor Strange?

With a current Rotten Tomatoes score of 80%, one would expect a movie with this much talent infront and behind the camera to not have at times awkward and embarrassingly simplistic dialogue that is further hampered by a weak narrative. Did all the reviewers who were aggregated to obtain that Rotten Tomatoes 'Certified Fresh' rating come from a parallel universe that has a version of this film worthy of that score?

Doctor Strange lacks a compelling narrative, even though it has all of the elements to tell one. The scale of the movie gives the impression of depth and width as it bounces from country to country and even across parallel universes with an exciting array of visuals and set pieces, while its title character admirably played by Cumberbatch, is both adorable and charismatic. However the narrative is small and lacking, and quite obviously has to rely on the strength of its A-List cast to sell it... and the exciting visuals to distract us from it. 

Doctor Strange is also highly derivative, borrowing heavily from similarly themed movies like The Matrix and Inception in terms of story and visuals, with a tiny hint of Batman Begins thrown in for good measure. And although ironically, Doctor Strange as a character, predates all of these movies, its story also lacks any of their gravitas. There is nothing much here to engage your mind. Being a superhero movie does not necessarily mean it should be a mindless action romp. The Dark Knight Trilogy, in addition to its high jinx also intelligently dealt with very real social themes, while Marvel Studio’s very own Captain America movies take a critical look at the inherent risks of blind patriotism and all of its components. Although those examples are thematically removed from what Doctor Strange is about, the opportunity to grapple with the issues that the aforementioned The Matrix and Inception have concerning the nature of reality and our perception of it, were totally squandered. Despite the exciting high concept visuals on display, ultimately there is nothing here except a brightly colored pop corn flick.

This is not to say that Doctor Strange is a bad film. The cinematography is breathtaking, all of the humor is well placed, and the 'oohs' and 'aahs' generated from the audience at my screening is evidence for its mass appeal. With a bad year that gave us the likes of The Ghostbusters reboot, Batman vs Superman and Suicide Squad, Doctor Strange is comparatively good. However for a Marvel Studio movie, ‘comparatively good’ is not good enough. 6/10

Genre: Superhero/Action/Fantasy

Bad Language: Mild

Sex and Nudity: None

Violence: Moderate/Strong Fantastical