First, the Recap:
When you’re on top, it’s incredibly hard to be knocked down. But how you choose to come back from the hit, well, that is the dilemma. Brilliant neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) has the immense skills to go with his immense ego. Thinking he is far above all others, a severely humbling event occurs which takes away the use of his most prized tools of the trade. Bemoaning his condition, the solution presents itself in a most peculiar, fantastical way in meeting The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) who shows him the unlocked potential of the mystic arts he can tap into. Still fighting his sense of self-worth, Strange soon comes to realize there are greater threats to help battle, especially in the form of The Ancient One’s former student turned malicious villain, Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), who’s bent on bringing a dark realm to reality on Earth.
Worth Seeing: YES
Thanks to the ongoing genius of Marvel Studios and the excellent directing of Scott Derrickson, the wondrous, magical world of the Marvel universe’s Sorcerer Supreme comes to vibrant, visually stunning, reality warping life. As an origin story and an action film, the narrative actually carries itself well, tapping into both the intellectual world of Strange’s affluent mind as well as the mystic arts he encounters and so deftly learns to utilize. Cumberbatch is simply awesome, yet again, in another fantasy-based role, Swinton is convincing as his teacher, Mikkelsen oozes evil as the venomous antagonist/rogue sorcerer Kaecilius, plus add necessary and entertaining characters played by Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, and Benjamin Bratt to the mix–what’s not to like? The visuals are mind-blowing and Marvel Studios once again proves why they currently rule the superhero roost!
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
