Marvel McMovie

Rating: 6/10 (5 November 2016)

From the beginning, the movie had great actors, great writers and a great trailer. I was optimistic when I started watching, but simply put, it's poor story-telling. Drunk friends bragging of conquests innumerable have a better sense of plot and pacing.
Before we get to it, Cumberbatch, McAdams, Ejiofor and Mikkelsen had good performances. I'd say kudos for Tilda Swinton, which is a great actress in her own right, but the role was convoluted from the beginning and it felt awkward.
First of all, let's discuss the drama. Each origin story tends to be inspiring, and that is because of the darkness and despair that precede the hero's rise. However, at any point when something got even a little tense, someone would make a joke to diffuse the situation. I'm not talking only of Cumberbatch, though he made great use of his dry Sherlock humor, I'm talking about Mordo, Christine, Sorceress Supreme, Kaecilius.
Let's talk about the plot. If you see a superhero movie for the first time and see this, you might go out of the cinema a bit happier than you went in. If you've started watching around, say, Batman Begins - well, the move's so recycled it's positively green: The Chosen One (anyone tired of that?), Fast learner, learn an ancient art in a Very Short Time, the not-a-killer discussion, doubting your teacher, evil monologue, getting a bright idea from the evil monologue.
What about the love subplot? The chemistry was there, but in the face of saving the Earth - again - I couldn't have cared less. Why was that hogging screen time? In conclusion, go watch the Dr. Strange animated movie. It's slow-paced and it narrates explanations all the time, but it's a much better story.