Time Again, Again, and Again.

Rating: 9/10 (7 November 2016)

Finally a Marvel movie that relies more on character and solid acting than what we have been overexposed to lately. I've enjoyed a lot of the other super heroes, but unlike the Indiana Jones movies, the special effects overpowered the spirit of these stories, the one that made reading those comic books so much fun. Story lines got too complex, heroes were always celebrities more than super stars. We didn't see Ironman; we saw Downey. Yes, the sets, effects, and costumes got more and more impressive, but something was beginning to fade. "Doctor Strange" rekindles some of it with the help of some very good talent.
Cumberbatch, who has done with wonders with "Sherlock" and Swinton, whose special look makes everything she takes, carry an extra dimension are both perfect as the heart and "mind" of the story. Here's a superhero who has plenty of ego to pursue his quest and conquer others. What's more, what happens when he realizes he has the means to manipulate space and time, and propel a very impressive mind to even more powerful levels. It would seem as if this is the one superhero that can solve just about any problem, but there are dangerous forces lurking both inside and outside his immediate surroundings.
Knowledge can be dangerous when coupled with a powerful ego or a misguided dream. Strange soon discovers that there is more to his ability to learn than his photographic mind. Apparently, he has the gift to connect with other mythical forces and at times, defeat them. His adversaries are strong, too, and like him, they have learned to manipulate powers in order to get what they need or want. One thing that is clear from the beginning of the story is that this superhero might not even know what he is supposed to be. His mind pulls him one way while his conscience dictates other paths.
There are key moments and lines in the film that foreshadow his being quite special. He attempts to learn the tools of his new "career", and he's told that the tools will choose him when the time is ready, and in one of the best scenes in the film, Strange discovers that he will develop a codependency with his cape. It's one magical moment as he makes it part of his outfit, his uniform, himself. It's Batman and his mask, Superman and that "S" on his chest. We're seeing a very strong personality arrive, and we want more and more of him in future films.
In order to captivate us is a pretty impressive display of visual effects. The visuals of cities turning themselves inside out is impressive, but underwhelming since we really don't see much of a purpose there, but there is potential in the ability to combine dimensions and worlds within worlds. There is of course, much pleasure and possibilities when trying to play with the natural laws of time. "Strange" doesn't quite miss any steps, playing with this angle. It's quite a moment when "Strange" takes the concept of time loops to bargain a deal near the end.
Of course, making use of the dark forces, or simply using it to become more and more powerful will have repercussions. These are not clear, barely hinted at, and at the end of the film, we get hints of what's coming. The rather nebulous exposition in another superhero movie becomes more fascinating, as we see a new alliance being forged, one that could turn the universe upside down if "Strange" eventually meets that other dark lord. There's also another preview of what would happen if "Strange" faces another of the masters in the future. Both possibilities are quite exciting and make us feel that the Marvel universe will be a more entertaining and imaginative one again. It's time to get away plots that fit more in other genres. We read comics because it's a matter of good versus evil. We're not here to ponder, philosophize or work on a dissertation on the time continuum.
"Strange" keeps it simple, though the visuals are mind blowing, and the possibilities hints that the game can become more and more challenging. Let is come, as long as its heart beats strong (even if it needs a little jump starting once in a while). "Strange" combines both the brain, the mind, and the imagination in magical ways. Just remember magic is not necessarily a good thing.