What an exciting and trips ride!!!

Rating: 8/10 (4 November 2016)

Plot Synopsis: Brilliant but arrogant surgeon Stephen Strange has his hands crippled in a car accident. His ego and pride see him refuse to accept his diagnosis and he spends everything he has on treatments to repair his ruined hands. When all western methods fail, he learns of a place in the far east called Kamor-Jar and heads there in desperation. But instead of finding a cure, he finds that his reality is only one of countless possible universes. And he then begins his journey to becoming the Sorcerer Supreme through mastery of the Mystic Arts.
"What an exciting and trippy ride" is what you will be saying after you have seen Doctor Strange. A movie that has been described as arguably Marvel's best film adaptation to date. Although I personally wouldn't go that far, as I feel Guardians of the Galaxy still holds that distinction. But this amazing piece of popcorn cinema does come very very close. Benedict Cumberbatch was simply the perfect choice to play Doctor Stephen Strange on every level.
Marvel Studios even went as far as to delay the making of the film so they could cast him in the role. Cumberbatch is a very in-demand actor in Film, TV and the stage. So initially he was forced to turn down the role. However, so sure were Marvel Studio heads that he was the right man for the job they put everything on hold in order for Cumberbatch to complete his other obligations. This is not a common occurrence in the film industry I might add! When it comes to making movies, time is indeed money. Normally when a studio's first choice of actor can't or won't commit, they move on and re-cast the role.
So the fact they were willing to wait over a year to ensure the perfect casting shows a great commitment to quality on Marvel's part. And it was definitely the right decision! Cumberbatch nails Strange to a tee. The other casting choices, however, were met with controversy and accusations of "whitewashing." And while I can certainly understand how some people may have felt, these claims are unjustified. The reason why Tilda Swanson was cast as the Ancient One (Doctor Strange's teacher in the mystic arts) is simpleAsian stereotypes suck!
People need to realize the comic was created in the 1960's where such practices were normal. But, you couldn't get away with that stuff todayand rightly so! That is also why the character of Wong (Played by the aptly named Benedict Wong) is not Doctor Strange's manservant (as originally portrayed in the comics) but is instead a formidable Master of Mystic Arts, tasked with protecting some of Kamor-Jar's most valuable relics and books. And as far as the gender swapping of the Ancient One character goes, the answer is pretty simple again.
The only other female character in the film is a Doctor Christine Palmer (Played charmingly by Rachel McAdams) who is Doctor Strange's love interest. But the character has a total screen time of about 6 minutes by my count. So really, it was a necessity to have a strong female character with depth get a decent amount of screen time in the movie! And the film is far better for it in my opinion. Tilda Swanson plays the role of the Sorcerers Supreme with a certain amount of glee. It is pretty clear that she had a lot of fun playing the Ancient One. And the chemistry between her and Cumberbatch is obvious.
But the movie isn't without its faults! Chiwetel Ejiofo's Karl Mondo (a skilled Master of the Mystic Arts who is a little too by the book for both Strange's and the Ancient One's tastes) adds little to the story. However, it's clear by the film's end (and post credit scene) that he will play a larger and hopefully more interesting part in Doctor Strange's future adventures.
The movies villain Kaecilluis (Played by Mads Mikkelsen) is proof that DC has always had the edge over Marvel as far as fully fleshed out villains go. Not that any of that is Mikkelsen's fault! He is a brilliant actor working with very little to go on. The fact is that Marvel comics (as amazing as they are) never could quite come up with truly great bad guys. At least none that could be considered on par with the likes of DC's infamous rogue's gallery.
Now as far as the special effects goAMAZING is a word that I quietly uttered to myself several times while watching this film. This is definitely one of those films you simply have to spring the extra few dollars for to see in 3D. A 2D viewing of this film simply wouldn't do it justice. Overall, Doctor Strange is definitely something movie goers will be impressed by. And comic book nerds like ourselves won't be disappointed either I don't think.