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Benedict Cumberbatch, Doctor Strange, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness review, Marvel, MCU, Sam Rami, Scarlet Witch, The Illuminati
Doctor Strange inThe Multiverse of Madness
Review by Paul Bowler
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness sends Phase Four of the MCU well and truly spiralling into the Multiverse with a plot that is sometimes as equally astonishing as it is bewildering. Benedict Cumberbatch returns as Marvel’s erstwhile Master of the Mystic Arts in this hotly anticipated first solo sequel to 2016’s Doctor Strange. Having dabbled with a forbidden spell in Spider-Man No Way Home (2021) Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness sees Stephen Strange pushing the boundaries of reality ever further, with mystical allies old and new at his side, as he embarks on a mind-bending voyage across the alternate realms of the Multiverse where he must confront a deadly new adversary!
Wracked by unsettling dreams of the Multiverse its a decidedly uncomfortable Doctor Strange that attends the wedding of his ex-girlfriend Christine (Rachel McAdams), where the lovelorn Sorcerer also gets berated by a melancholy guest with an axe to grind (played by Michal Stuhibarg). Fortunately Evil Dead director Sam Raimi doesn’t dwell on the reminiscing for long and he quickly up’s the anti with a giant one-eyed demonic cephalopod that’s running amok in NYC chasing a young teenage girl called America Chavez (Xochit Gormez) – who incidentally has the uncanny ability to travel between the dimensions of the Multiverse.
With help from the incumbent Sorcerer Supreme, Wong (Benedict Wong), Strange rescues America, and seeks out help from the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). However, Wander is still haunted by the idyllic life and children she created in Westview (Wanda Vision), and in her despair she’s become corrupted by a demonic spell book – the Darkhold.
Wanda wants America Chavez’s power to traverse the Multiverse and reunite with the life and children she’s lost. Strange and Chavez escape into the Multiverse, where even greater dangers await in the bizarre realms of these mysterious alternative realities. Benedict Cumberbatch is on fine form once again as Doctor Strange, who runs a gauntlet of emotions throughout the film as he struggles with heartbreak and the consequences of the choices and sacrifices he’s had to make. Cumberbatch also gets to play numerous alternate versions of Doctor Strange: including a defender Strange, a sinister corrupted Strange, and even a zombie Strange at one point!
Michale Waldron’s script makes great uses of the Multiverse concept, offering us fascinating glimpses into alternate words and radically different versions of some familiar characters. The introduction of Earth 838’s Illuminati to the MCU is a masterstroke in itself that gives us the Sorcerer Supreme Modo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Captain Carter (Peggy Atwell), Captain Marvel (Lashana Lynch), Black Bolt (Anson Mount), Reed Richards (John Krasinski) and the welcome return of Patrick Stewart as Professor X! It is their Doctor Strange who was the catalyst for the mystical incursions throughout reality, and his fate becomes on the many narrative threads that drive the plot. Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch gone bad is another revelation and almost steals the film out from under everyone with her towering performance, Olsen’s emotive portrayal as Wanda is central to the plot, and her characters journey comes full circle in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Sam Raimi brings a devilish sense of manic energy to the movie. Its perhaps not surprising then to see that nearly every character in the film is either dabbling in the black arts or wrestling with the consequence of their actions. Raimi of course was responsible for igniting our love of superhero movies with the hugely popular 2002 Spider-Man film, he brings the same flair for action and adventure to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as well, and a quite few nods to his Evil Dead horror roots as well – especially during the creepy Dreamwalking sequences. Raimi’s frequent collaborator Bruce Campbell even shows up as a pizza vendor for a couple of fun interludes too!
The visual effects are suitably impressive and bring a dynamic synergy to this otherworldly mystical adventure. From the titanic face-off at Karmar-Taj, along with Doctor Strange and America’s kaleidoscopic multidimensional journey between worlds, right through to Wanda’s scene stealing showdown with the Illuminati and Stephen Strange squaring off against a corrupt version of himself the pace of the film hardly gives you time for breath before the next big event crashes across the screen. The final act races to a thrilling collusion, delivering epic action, redemption and setting up momentous new developments for the future. It’s this same pace that is simultaneously the movies greatest strength and its greatest weakness. MCU and comic book fans are sure to get swept along with the sheer spectacle and be totally blown away by it all, however the uninitiated might be left completely baffled by the frenetic plot and onslaught of alternative versions of so many characters.
This current era of superhero films has become something of a roller coaster ride of crossover movies at the moment. They are hugely entertaining, especially when done as well as this, but the novelty could wear a bit thin if the MCU keeps returning to the well with the concept. Minor quibbles aside Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is still a spellbinding adventure and brilliant fun! With great performances all round, Raimi’s assured direction, impressive score and gorgeous cinema photography the films epic scale more than makes up for any slight inconsistencies in the plot. Needless to say, don’t forget to stick around for those post credit scenes as well!
Images Belong Marvel Studios/Disney
About The Author
Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook
Sci-Fi Jubilee 
This was an enjoyable and scary MCU romp that was pure classic Raimi. Some scenes were downright disturbing and the villain of the film arguably ranks as one of the MCU’s best. I understand the complaints about the film but it delivers!
I throughly enjoyed the film as well. It was everything I could’ve hoped for from a Doctor Strange sequel, and then some! Raimi brought a terrific horror vibe to the movie, and some scenes were down right creepy! I loved it. Sure, the film isn’t without some minor flaws, but on the whole Multiverse of Madness shakes up the MCU and delivers on every level!
Oh, man! Am I looking forward to seeing it! Sounds super action-packed!
Its a super exciting and action packed movie. Amazing special effects as well, enjoy!
I just saw it. Wow! What a trip!
Awesome! I really enjoyed Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as well, such an amazing movie! Glad you enjoyed it.
I enjoyed reading your review, which was spot on. I loved the film as well, especially Sam Raimi’s direction, which managed to break through the MCU “house” style that permeates many of the franchise films. And I’m grateful that the movie was just 2 hours! I’m getting tired of these nearly 3 hour superhero films. Sometimes less is more!
I really enjoyed this film as well and Sam Raimi’s directorial style really shook up the tried-and-tested format of the MCU – something Phase 4 has been crying out for really. I’m really hoping we see the MCU being just as bold moving forward. I’m also glad the movies run time was around the 2 hour mark, 3 hour plus movies can really drag – whatever genre really. Thanks for commenting and glad you enjoyed the review 🙂
I definitely had a blast with this one too. So much great action and story going on here. I’ve already seen it twice and have been listening to the soundtrack a bunch. I admit I felt a bit validated at how Wanda’s character arc was handled because I felt like it made sense after Wandavision but I was heavily outnumbered with the group I saw it with.
Granted, a lot of them grew up with the classic comics and have really just known her as a hero through and through so I totally get it. One of the best scenes for me was when “that group” showed up midway through the film. It was so cool to see them all on the big screen and the costumes were perfect.
If this is all leading up to a Secret Wars adaption in the next few years I’m definitely ready. I feel like it’s going to have to be a 2 part film like Infinity War to really capture everything. In the meantime I’m ready for whatever films come out next, I think Thor 4? Should be exciting for sure
I totally agree. I’ve seen Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness twice now as well and enjoyed it even more the second time around. I think it was a natural progression for Wanda’s character and I’m sure she’ll be back at some point as she found a kind of redemption as well in this film as she battled her inner demons. I loved all the alternate dimensions and the introduction of the Illumaniti was brilliant. The horror vibe Ramimi brought to the MCU fitted really well., I hope we see more bold filmmaking like this in the MCU going forward. Indeed, its strongly pointing towards there being a build up to a Secret Wars movie – especially Hickman’s (2015) storyline. Personally I’d prefer more a a Secret Wars along the lines of the original 1984 mini series which I think was far better. That said either would still be an awesome way to unite the Avengers, Fantastic Four, and X-Men all in one epic movie – which I strongly suspect will indeed be across two movies like the Infinity Saga was.
Agreed, doing it more like the 84 series would be ideal. That was the first Marvel event I ever got to read and seeing that on the big screen would be amazing! Would be a great way to introduce the main symbiote over to the MCU-verse too and the Beyonder would be such a great cosmic threat
Oh for sure, I’d love to see the original Secret Wars adapted for the big screen,. That was the first Marvel comic even that I remember reading back in the day as well. That story was epic and it would be a great way to introduce Spider-Man’s black costume into the MCU as well.
I wasn’t a big fan of Chang-Chi or the Black Widow movie, and straight up fell asleep twice watching the Eternals, but this one looks fun. The first Doctor Strange movie is pretty good if a bit formulaic, but exploring the multiverse is anything but formulaic in concept for a movie.
Not sure when I’ll get around to seeing Multiverse of Madness, but I look forward to it.
Also, recently saw Spider-Man: No Way Home, and very much enjoyed it.
Yeah, Phase Four has been a little hit & miss. I thought Black Widow was so-so, Chang-Chi was ok, and I found Eternals to be terribly dull as well. I really liked the first Doctor Strange movie and was totally blown away by Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. I think the Multiverse is an awesome concept to bring into the MCU, sure you’ll enjoy it when you get a chance to see it and I’m sure it’ll be available on streaming services in a couple of months – well worth seeing on the big screen if you get a chance though. I thought Spider-Man No Way Home was fun too, awesome to see all the cinematic Spidey’s team-up!
I so regret not seeing this in the theatre! Now I have to wait until it’s out on Disney+ or dvd.
It was a great movie, it looked amazing on the big screen as well. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness with be available to stream on Disney + 22nd June 2022, and be available on DVD and Blu Ray shorty afterwards.