A visual MARVEL

Rating: 9/10 (12 November 2016)

Whenever I write reviews on MARVEL films, I am usually singing praises and Doctor Strange is no strange to this;-) Doctor Strange is the purest example of film with visual effects on point. It is thoroughly entertaining, engaging and overall visually stunning MARVEL masterpiece. It is not your usual MARVEL universe flick but although it might evolve to be one in the future. But this is great more as an independent film. Doctor strange is intelligent, humorous, fast paced and of course I am never tired of mentioning this again and again: visually brilliant.
The story is about the self obsessed genius and rich doctor who meets a fatal accident. Ironically the nerves on his hands don't work the way they used to (I am not sure about the medical terms for this). Hell bent on finding the cure he embarks on a journey to Nepal to find cure via mystic arts which he doesn't believe in. And then the movie suddenly shifts to amazing mode. The supernatural elements kick in with unbelievable visual effects. Then the movie is about how Doctor Strange becomes someone more than he is, learns things that is beyond our mere imagination and helps his guru (The Ancient one) to fight off evil powers who are about to take over the world. The story line may seem quite the usual stuff, but it's the representation that makes this film extraordinary. I personally haven't read the comic books but I am quite sure this film exceeds even the comic book readers' imagination. Action sequences take you to different worlds, time dimensions and whatever you just cannot think of. The MARVEL brand of humour is as usual a success.
Benedict Cumberbatch couldn't have asked for a better role to be as a MARVEL superhero. Doctor Strange is almost an alter ego of his TV role Sherlock. Tilda Swinton as 'The Ancient One' is pure gold. Her performance makes this film much intense. Chiwetel Ejiofor is one of my favorite actors and he is brilliant as well. Scott Adkins could have been used for much intense action sequences and I also feel the film doesn't do much justice to Mads Mikkelsen's acting talent. Rachel McAdams plays the typical antagonist's love interest or friend whatever who is just there to stay amused like the rest of us. Benedict Wong as Wong has a very funny and engaging role.
Doctor Strange is probably the best visual effects movie that I have ever seen. Try not to think much of the visual effects but just watch and enjoy. And please please do see it in IMAX if you have access to an IMAX cinema.