Make room Avengers...Stranger things are in town now

Rating: 8/10 (15 November 2016)

Let me give you some advice. Forget everything that you think you know. Doctor Strange is no typical Marvel movie. Despite the naturally awful yet hilarious jokes, the random Stan Lee Cameo and the surprise (well. Hardly surprising anymore) end credit scene this new Marvel Installment Is truly mind boggling. The film may take a side note to its bigger and more well-known compatriots, the Avengers, but Doctor Strange make its voice well heard through its wonderful style and spectacular cinematography.
The Doctors tale starts off in typical fashion, with Strange's origin story, but soon we are taken into unfamiliar territory upon Strange's quest to heal his hands. We are taken to a Himalayan temple in Kathmandu. It is here where the true mind distortion begins. After a moment of doubt, Strange starts to believe when he is taken into a literal out of body experience, and this is only where the madness commences. We are then gets taken into a world that I can only describe as a hallucination that is caused by use of Magic Mushrooms, which I believe must be the only way the writer and the cinematographers came up with the idea for the visuals in this crazy two-minute sequence. There is no simply no other way to put it. But the kaleidoscope-like void entices Strange as it does its audience. And it is from that moment that the arrogant Doctor learns the ways of the mysterious magical monk, played by the captivating Tilda Swinton. But also, Strange quickly learns that this magical world comes with its downsides. The threat of the malignant Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) a former student of the Kamar- Taj temple provides the films antagonist. And the introduction of a new alien being comes along to help shake up the marvel universe.
Gravity defining, time evolution helped with a dash of the effervescent and magical New York (which always seems to be in trouble in these Marvel films. I'd move) are tools at the films disposal. And they're used with great imagination. New York city becomes a folding book, dimensions are broadened and a particular highlight is the battle in New York, where the visual effects are used in enthralling style. Time becomes disoriented and a new instrument is welcome into the marvel film universe. Cumberbatch, like almost everyone cast in Marvels films, is an inspired choice. He adds cockiness and the playboy mannerisms, á la Robert Downey Jr, required for the character. Despite his character arc not making complete sense (he's an arrogant and selfish jerk who suddenly becomes selfless and good willed with no build-up) he adds some humour relief and undoubtedly steals the show becoming a welcome addition to the marvel superhero team. Rachel McAdams and Chiwetel Ejiofor are sacrilegiously underused but came good whenever used on screen without enough to shout about. Mikkelsen never seemed a big enough threat and hardly stood up with Cumberbatch's hero. Tilda Swinton provides her usual crafty and I- know-what's-best-and-you-don't tone to the film and is an efficient enough teacher for Mr Str.*ahem*. Doctor Strange (Is that the new "Its CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow?")
Doctor Strange provides a welcome break from the troubles within the Avengers world. Its stellar lead performance and its reality defining Oscar worthy visual effects *claps hands* alone make it one of Marvel's best. Scott Derrickson and crew do a magnificent job at displaying such a complex and fascinating world whilst giving Benedict Cumberbatch his moment to shine even if the others don't get such an opportunity. A risky move by Marvel but they have passed yet another test and in doing so they have changed the Marvel movie universe forever, and made its possibilities endless.