Occasionally exhilarating is much more than I expected

Rating: 9/10 (4 November 2016)

I remember reading Dr Strange comic books when I was a kid. They seemed unusually daring back then, and this entertaining movie brings up vivid memories of the experience. You would think after all these years it would have been exceeded many times, but it hasn't. The idea of the metaphysical is still one we don't deal with convincingly; it continues to be scary and unreachable. And that makes the creation of the Dr Strange character even more impressive as it imagines us actually working at the nexus of our world and the other with nothing more than sheer imagination to guide us.
Normally I'd bet no one had the imagination to do that well, but I'd be wrong. Apparently Steve Ditko, with the help of Stan Lee, did have the imagination in spades. The comic book and now this movie is a fun exploration of magical themes where a reluctant Dr Strange finds himself drafted into the fight. It takes him repeated efforts to learn how to excel in the dark arts but he proves a worthy student and it's an enjoyable journey.
Benedict Cumberbatch is an excellent choice for the lead. And the supporting cast does their jobs well. With the possible exception of the recurring circle of sparks (a little underwhelming) all the special effects are top notch. Tilda Swinton who I've seen in person, is notable as the impossibly good-looking Ancient One who just happens to be as bald as a cue ball. I really can't imagine any other woman looking as natural and attractive as her without a wisp of hair on her head.
All in all a good time at the movies. Oh and stay until the credits run out, there are a couple of last gasps you should see.