satisfactory, though a bit overrated

Rating: 7/10 (10 November 2016)

I would be plastered with guilt were I to give in to the common consensus that Doctor Strange is a masterpiece and bury my thought regarding this film. Simply because this is yet another motif that Marvel has overused to the extent that any interesting dynamics soon appear normalised. An overly egocentric protagonist diminishing his own egotism to serve a higher cause is certainly not unique in the Marvel universe: Tony Stark also shares this resemblance. Nevertheless, since the film is constructed largely based on the comic, it may not be so justifiable to attribute the humdrum motif to the screenplay.
Despite my keen disinterest in this repeatedly harnessed motif, the urge to be lavish in my praise for the essence of the plot prevails. To dull one's ego in order to obtain knowledge is a powerful message conveyed by the film, reflecting the ideal attitude towards learning: an insatiable thirst for wisdom with an mind open to novelty. The notion that the boundaries between black and white are sometimes blurred, that good and evil are not a binary concept but two extreme ends of a spectrum where everyone lies in-between, bears much weight, as it shatters the utopian image of an impeccable protagonist.
I shall not make any concealment of my fondness for the cast. Besides Benedict Cumberbatch for whom I leave an extravagant amount of avidity, the image of Hannibal Lector seen through Mads Mikkelsen beams me up the moment Kaecillius emerges. The elegance in a minimalist style evident in Tilda Swinton has never failed to make me flutter.
The visual effect is superb, as always expected from a world- acclaimed production. The visual, or more precisely aesthetic, aspect of the film also pleases me much. I can draw some similarities of the visual concept of multiverse from Inception, which appear enjoyably mesmerising. The concept art is enchanting, given the fair admixture of modern cityscape with serene Oriental scenery.
The sole unsatisfying thing that bugs me about this film is the character development of Kaecillius. The portrayal of other characters is complete; yet the image of Kaecillius appears obscure. Very little ground is devoted to illuminate this character, arguably due to his insignificant role, as he seems to cease to play in following films. Had this figured been painted more definitively (include his own story in the narrative), the contrast with Stephen Strange would be more pronounced, seemingly more persuasive when building the tension of clashing ideologies.