No doubt about it. This movie was indeed strange. I kinda like this superhero version of a kaleidoscope LSD trip!

Rating: 8/10 (8 November 2016)

During the psychedelic era of the late 1960, as many hippies rejected mainstream organized religion in favor of a more personal spiritual experience, often drawing on indigenous and folk beliefs. This would also have an influence on the field of medicine, as many people seek the various practices of eastern spiritual medicine over the science of western health, during that day. In order to capitalize on that, creator Steve Ditko and Marvel Comics created 'Doctor Strange'. Inspired by old school radio adventure serials mystical programs like 'Chandu the Magician' & 'Mandrake', 'Doctor Strange' tells the story of a former neurosurgeon turn sorcerer, Doctor Stephen Strange on his quest to reclaim his broken body, while also having to protect the Earth against magical and mystical threats. The comic book character soon became very popular. So, it was no surprised that Marvel Studios would one day, bring this comic book character to live action on the big screen. However it took many years for their plans to work. The first attempt in 1978 was so badly made, that they choose to air it as a TV movie. Their next try was in 1992, with 'Doctor Morbid'. Due to the studio's license to the character expired before production has finished, the film had to change a lot from the source material. It was equally as bad as the 1978's version. The 2007's cartoon movie was alright, but it wasn't until 2016, that 'Doctor Strange' finally hit the big screen with great results. Being the fourteenth film entry of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the film directed by Scott Derrickson finally gave us, the magical spell-bounding visuals, this series needed. Remind me so much of 1999's 'The Matrix' & 2010's 'Inception' in a way. Marvel comics fans will also be pleased to see that the original Doctor Strange art by the character's co-creator, Steve Ditko, is not forgotten and paid proper respect. Kudos as well to Michael Giacchino's appropriately drug-fuel score, which helps propel the action. I also find the clever cameo from both writer Stan Lee, and the foreshadowing end credits, pitching 'Thor: Ragnarok' fun to see. However, the writing from screenwriters, Jon Spaihts and C. Robert Cargill, could need some work, as it felt a bit unbelievable in the coincidences. Like how did the 'Orb of Agamotto' get from the throne room from 2011's 'Thor' to one of the sanctums control by the Kamar-Taj? Also, the whole idea of time-travel seem a bit rush, and somewhat confusing. Another thing it's really hard to believe that Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), at first, would be, so against magic, seeking how both witchcraft, supernatural beings, and aliens, population his world in all of the Marvel movies. It's so hard to believe that the only damage, the rich selfish guy would had from a car crash is nerve damage in his hand. Anyways, while the first part feels a bit formulaic, having seen similar comic book story arches both in 2008's 'Iron Man' and 2005's 'Batman Begins', my main gripe against the film was the out of place, force humor, poorly written female characters and underdeveloped villains. Don't get me wrong, Cumberbatch is perfect choice to play Strange, as his own mixture of gravitas, but he is far from being a great comedian. Leave the jokes to somebody else. Also, it was a bit disappointment to see Rachel McAdams having nothing much to do on screen, as Strange' former lover Christine Palmer. It's sad that she wouldn't get to be the hero 'Night Nurse', since the character Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson), who appears in Marvel's Netflix television series, will seem to portray her for a very long time. Yet, the worst has to be, the misused of Mads Mikkelsen as Kaecilius. The combination of several antagonists from the comics, Kaecilius was used in the film to drive the introduction and development of bigger villains for the future, including "certain individuals who live in other dimensions". In other words, Mikkelsen was just a tool that was greatly underused. He is a generic, forgettable henchmen for Dr. Strange to fist-fight with. I wish, he was Kaluu, instead. I also feel that his superior, Dormammu (also played by Benedict Cumberbatch) is just as forgettable. The generic all-powerful smoke monster villain attacking Earth remind me, too much of 2007's 'Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer' & 2011's 'Green Lantern' in a bad way. I felt that all the Dormammu stuff, could had cut off, seeing how it kinda ruins the oncoming 'Infinity War' movies, seeing how one man can outsmart an all-powerful being like him. How can a normal villain like Thanos (Josh Brolin), do any better? If anything, Karl Mondo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) should had turn to the villain, faster. While, the film lacks memorable villains. The film made up with great actors for the supporting heroes in the film. Both Tilda Swinton and Chiwetel Ejiofor were wonderful as Karl Mondo and the Ancient One, even if it's a bit whitewashing. I'm for one, wasn't too angry, by the filmmakers choices that they were trying to avoid the Asian Fu Manchu stereotype. Yet, I can understand, the backlash from some audiences, of not giving one of few significant Asian roles to an Asian actor. Still, it does almost comes off as a bit paternalistic to have the educated Western man save all the mystic foreigners from their own incompetence. 'It's a damn if you do, damn if you don't' decision. Still, the movie has a positive message about humility, and not being so arrogant. In the end, it was a fun trippy movie with a lot of potential for greater things in the future.