Set Up For a Better Sequel

Rating: 7/10 (5 November 2016)

You have Mads Mikkelsen as the Villein and Benedict Cumberbatch as the protagonist. Seeing them together makes you think that Cumberbatch would make one hell of a Bond.
Not that it's a complaint, I'll watch them both any day of the week. Class acts. Although there is hope that, in future installments, Sherlock will drop any attempt at an American accent. The MCU breaks enough canon, let Strange just be British and it will be easier on the ears.
Otherwise, Doctor Strange was clearly a set-up movie like so many others in the MCU. It didn't have the pure entertainment value that Iron Man or Ant Man had, but it was a lot better than most and lived up to the trippy feel of the comic books.
The visual effects were stunning and in a film like this, it really can't be over-done, it's sort of the point and they did a great job at mimicking well known pieces of art in the process. It makes for a great addition to a narrative that is only so-so at best.
However what it lacks in story it makes up in charm. The subtle nods and not so subtle references to Sherlock and the MCU, combined with some cute, albeit slapstick, humor give the film a light hearted feeling that will either annoy viewers or be refreshing given the otherwise dark nature of the plot allowing the movie to be child friendly.
In the end you leave with a Captain America feeling, the movie was just a set-up to establish the character in the MCU. And though it did a great job, you understand that it was an introductory piece.
However, it's not to say that the movie was bad and you walk away with the sense that the follow-ups will certainly be better. You want to see more of Doctor Strange and the set up for what's coming next is tantalizing.