Strange, strange; has its merits, including Cumberbatch, and its minuses

Rating: 7/10 (27 March 2017)

Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) has a big problem with egomania. A top neurosurgeon in NYC, he does work miracles but, his ego is enormous. Needless to say, his attitude prevents others from liking him, including another surgeon, Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) who the doctor seems to admire. Yet, pride goes before a fall, as they say. One fateful night, Strange drives too fast in his hot sports car, while talking on the phone, and he crashes. It's horrendous. Yes, he's alive, but his hands are badly damaged and to a surgeon, that's the universe. After extensive physical therapy, his hands remain shaky. Desperate, he learns that a paralyzed man now walks again, after a trip to Nepal. With his finances extremely low, Dr. Stephen nevertheless takes the trip to the faraway land, searching for The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). He almost doesn't make it until he is saved on the street by Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor). What luck! Mordo is also trained in the mystical healing and brings Dr. Strange to his supreme teacher. Strange's ego is still inflated and The Ancient One has to be convinced to offer him hope. After studying chakras, amulets and other long-forgotten abilities, Doctor Strange is reborn. However, not to surgery, as there is a more pressing matter. A former apprentice, Caesillius (Mads Mikkelsen) of the Ancient One is causing tremendous problems on earth. Dr. Strange's first mission may be to try and stop this formidable foe. Can he do it with the help of Mordo, The Ancient One, and another mystic named Wong? First, I do not watch many superhero movies as they are not my preferred view but, finding Cumberbatch a very compelling performer, I chose this one. Mr. Benedict does not disappoint, as he is a very handsome and talented actor. Likewise, the other thespians are first rate, especially Swinton. But, I was hoping to see a movie where a superhero uses his unique powers to rescue average folks and, somewhere along the way, get the girl. This does not happen. In addition, while the special effects may have been better on the big screen, on my paltry 20 inch they were busy, confusing, overworked. In other words, they did not enhance the tale for this viewer. Perhaps there will be sequels, where Doctor Strange has a chance to save the world and romance ladies at the same time. Til then, its a mixed bag of entertainment.