Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange

Rating 8.5 out of 10

Since my comic book reading stopped at about age ten (unlike my comic book nerd Brother inlaw) I was not really familiar with the Doctor Strange character.  I think after the release of this movie most all of us will be very familiar with Doctor Strange.

I think casting on this movie is spot on.  Benedict Cumberbatch is perfect at Dr. Steven Strange.  He is a pompous surgeon that thinks he is a god that can do no wrong.  Talks down to everyone and is not beloved.  When a bad car wreck leaves him unable to operate he goes into a deep depression refusing to believe his medical career is over.  When all else fails Strange travels to an Eastern monastery where a bald woman with a cool version of kung fu begrudgingly takes him in.  Here he gets his version of Neo choosing the red pill or the blue pill.  Doctor Strange learns of a whole hidden world that blows his mind and will blow yours too.

As I said casting is perfect.  Tilda Swinton is good as the kinda creepy bald woman.  Chiwetel Ejiofor  is probably the best actor with the strangest name.  He plays sidekick Baron Mordo.  Rachel McAdams takes a smaller role as a doctor that somehow loves the cranky Dr Strange and helps him later on.

The effects are nothing short of spectacular.  They make the crazy effects in 2010's Inception look like a Saturday morning cartoon.  This is not a storyline like Avengers or Guardians of the Galaxy where you can sit back and enjoy.  You need to pay attention to follow what is going on.  At times I found it a little confusing, yet felt it paid off in the end.

I was highly entertained and would recommend it.