THE STRANGE: The Verdict Is In On Marvels ‘Doctor Strange’ And We’re Excited
It’s hard not to be excited by the trailer for Marvel and Disney’s forthcoming Doctor Strange. In just over 2 minutes of footage, it’s clear the film is packed with mind blowing CGI and acid-trip visuals that are somewhere between Inception, Iron Man and Jumper. Honestly, this thing looks fucking EPIC.
But unfortunately trailers are designed to get bums on seats, but the films themselves don’t live up to the hype. All too often superhero movies become a bit of a lame CGI fest that lack substance and creativity (*cough: Batman Vs Superman*). So, for me, there’s been a looming threat that despite the kick-ass trailer, the film might fall flat on its face.
If you haven’t seen it yet, please get yourself acquainted with the trailer below:
As Disney and Marvel’s embargo lifted late on the weekend, we got the first response from critics at leading US publications.
These dudes often prefer to shoot down hyped films because other industry folk respect them sifting through the BS to fire an honest opinion – as a result, they’re often overly harsh.
Further controversy about Tilda Swinton being cast as the supreme custodian of knowledge at a Himalayan retreat, has also cast a cloud of controversy over the movie that was likely to add to the negativity in reviews.
Well, as it turns out, our excitement and anticipation is definitely justified because the critics are all agreeing that Doctor Strange is a must see. Preferably in 3D.
“I will rarely say this: but the 3D is worth it this time”
– Mike Ryan, Uproxx
Here’s a collection collated by Mashable showing what the pros at Variety, USA Today, The Hollywood Reporter and more had to say about Doctor Strange. If this doesn’t get you excited to see it, I don’t know what will.
Alonso Duralde,The Wrap
In a year where bloated, empty spectacles have induced a crushing level of CG fatigue — Now Showing: “Alice Through the Warcraft Suicide Apocalypse Justice” — this funny, freaky adventure reminds us of how effective VFX can be when they’ve got some imagination behind them. … Yes, there are big battles in city streets, but they appear to have been designed by M.C. Escher and not a colorblind four-year-old.
Brian Truitt, USA Today
Saying the battles are out of this world would be technically accurate and also an understatement. Kaecilius chases Strange and colleague Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) through New York, folding buildings onto each other and bending skyscrapers to create an M.C. Escher-style Big Apple.
Diny-Ray Ramos, The Tracking Board
Visually, the movie is a stunning marvel of WTF moments of kaleidoscopic eye candy and action scenes that are an acid trip that merges an M.C. Escher drawing and the best parts of Inception.
Peter Debruge, Variety
The latter trick, which turncoat ex-disciple Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) uses for more nefarious purposes, lends the film a staggering visual effects innovation, in which the building bending seen in Christopher Nolan’s Inception is taken to an extreme that would blow even M.C. Escher’s mind.
Mike Ryan, Uproxx
Yes, we can talk about the visuals, which are dazzling. (I will rarely say this: but the 3D is worth it this time.) They’re so dazzling that it’s easy to forget we’re watching another origin story.
Eric Goldman, IGN
Some have noted that a couple of shots in the trailer are reminiscent of Inception, but Doctor Strange’s visuals have a much broader swath than that that allows it to feel very fresh and inspired in this regard. There are some incredibly outrageous, surreal moments here that are true standouts, whether they involve buildings folding into themselves or mystical windows that can be changed, like TV channels, to reach different parts of the world.
Brian Truitt, USA Today
Benedict Cumberbatch plays Stephen Strange with enchanting spirit and a clever wit, giving comic-book movies another goateed icon who can hang alongside Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark.
Diny-Ray Ramos, The Tracking Board
Essentially, this movie is Iron Man, but instead of Tony Stark, it’s Stephen Strange. Instead of Pepper Potts, it’s Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) who keeps the hero’s ego in check. Instead of technology taking front and center, it’s the mystic arts that are being used as a tool against the bad guys. And because of all the similarities, Doctor Strange is formulaic — but its recognizable story arc makes it easy to digest for Strange newcomers.
Mike Ryan, Uproxx
It’s obvious why they hired a big time star like Cumberbatch, because Doctor Strange is here to guide us through the next decade of Marvel movies, just like Downey did in the last decade. Doctor Strange is basically a reboot of Iron Man, only with a lot more prettier things to look at while you’re stoned. It’s a good strategy. And it works.
Eric Goldman, IGN
Cumberbatch is great as Strange, whether he’s playing him as a know it all or someone in awe of what he’s seeing.
Brian Truitt, USA Today
As the Ancient One, Swinton adds sass, emotional depth and a little frailty to the wise-warrior archetype. Her performance will wipe away any remaining concerns about the character not being the Asian man of the comics.
Diny-Ray Ramos, The Tracking Board
As for the controversial casting of Swinton as The Ancient One, which is written as an Asian man in the comics, she did her job well in the key Yoda-like role. One wouldn’t expect anything less considering she is the Tilda Swinton.
Eric Goldman, IGN
Controversies around changing the Ancient One from the comics aside, Swinton’s ethereal, unique presence feels right at home here, playing this serene yet oh-so powerful character.
Peter Debruge, Variety
Much has already been written about the casting of Swinton in a role originally conceived as an old Asian man (as if the world needs yet another Mister Miyagi/Pai Mei stereotype), when the only real disappointment there is that the practically extraterrestrial star wasn’t asked to play the title role — because who is stranger? Swinton already walks this earth in some sort of enlightened state, and it’s no far leap to accept her as an ageless oracle with the power to bend matter and slow time.
Todd McCarthy, The Hollywood Reporter
Politically correct casting alarmists may stamp their feet about a white woman being cast as the supreme custodian of knowledge at a Himalayan retreat, which is, in fact, a thoroughly interracial establishment. But this is obviously nothing like Sam Jaffe playing the High Lama in the 1937 Lost Horizon, and there’s little doubt Swinton can speak perfectly well on her own behalf if any issues come up.
Diny-Ray Ramos, The Tracking Board
[Marvel] steps into ambitious territory, opening a portal into a whole new world of magic, sorcery, and mysticism that would be elevated to levels of psychedelic proportions with the aid of hallucinogenics. Despite being a visual marvel for stoners and shroom heads, the trippy effects and mind-bending fight scenes are merely window dressing for a refreshing, yet recognizable journey of a superhero that isn’t a household name for non-comic geeks.
Alonso Duralde, The Wrap
The action climaxes with a truly impressive finale, one that employs time going in multiple directions that’s like nothing I’ve ever seen in a movie before. The effects shots here aren’t just visually impressive; they actually let the narrative go to places it couldn’t without this level of, you’ll pardon the expression, wizardry.
Doctor Strange hits Aussie cinemas on 27 October.