Who could have imagined that Doctor Strange would eventually be the elder statesman of the Marvel Cinematic Universe? His first film was really good, but hardly star-making material. But then he’s been a major player in Avengers: Infinity War and Spider-Man: No Way Home. So here comes his official sequel, ready to make big bank as another Marvel hit!

Movie Rating: 9/10 – Great.

I really enjoyed this film, especially by the end. I’ll admit to being a bit hazy in the first half. But the madness and the creativity of the second half really won me over and I had a great time overall. Granted, I’m a sucker for all these Marvel projects. I fully admit that and have no shame in it. It’ll be a cold day in the world when I dislike a Marvel movie or TV show. Thankfully, that day has not yet arrived!

Join me after the jump for my full thoughts on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Expect FULL SPOILERS for the movie! And feel free to share your own thoughts in the comments below!

6. Really great action adventure movie

More than anything else, I think Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is just a big, fun action adventure movie. There are definitely some horror elements and some gore, but I think those are just set dressing to push the adventure. Our hero, his awesome magic powers and his allies go on this big, multiverse-spanning adventure and fight bad guys, overcome obstacles, struggle against their lowest point and learn lessons along the way. And it all worked for me. I liked the characters, I liked Benedict Cumberbatch feeling comfortable in his character. I liked the fun multiverse strangeness. I liked XoChitl Gomez making her debut as America Chavez (she was great in Babysitter’s Club). And Wanda as the villain worked for me, especially her seeing the error of her ways in the end.

I even liked the use of Christine Palmer and all variants of her. I always thought she was pretty disposable as the love interest in the first Doctor Strange film. And I still don’t really buy them as an iconic couple to any degree. But she had a lot of fun roles this time around.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was a lot of fun to watch and a fine addition to the MCU. It’s not an emotionally charged movie, but it didn’t need to be. I enjoy a big, fun action adventure film as much as any other type of film, and this one definitely delivered in that regard.

5. Maybe a skosh too rushed and too lore-heavy

As I mentioned above, the first half of the film left me feeling a certain amount of concern. I was still enjoying it and following the story just fine, but I would have to say that the movie did feel a bit rushed and a bit too dependent on exposition and wild Marvel stuff. That wasn’t a problem for me, but I got the feeling it might be the sort of thing people who complain about superhero fatigue are complaining about. It all felt a bit much. I’ve heard the movie described as less of a movie and more like just another jam-packed episode of MCU content. I’d say that’s a pretty solid description. And for me, it’s absolutely not a problem. I’ve long since felt like a lot of MCU projects are just the latest episode of the biggest, most expensive television show of all time.

4. Loved the cameos

I’m also a sucker for fun character cameos. So seeing the likes of Professor X and Clea and then Mr. Fantastic show up, I was very excited. Sadly, both the Professor X and Captain Carter cameos were spoiled, but they were still fun. Thankfully, I didn’t know about Anson Mount returning as Black Bolt. I love little casting decisions like that. I never even saw the Inhumans TV show. John Krasinski as Reed Richards was a welcome surprise. I’m fully in favor of his eventual legit casting, and having him suddenly show up was a boss move. And then Charlize Theron as Clea in the very end was a wild choice. I’m all for her being part of the threequel when it comes out in a couple years.

3. Loved the Sam Raimi style

I like Sam Raimi as a director as much as the next guy — but I’m no film buff who can tell you everything there is to know about Raimi’s “style”. Obviously he’s got one, and it was on full display in Multiverse. But I can’t get academic about it. I just know that his fingerprint was definitely on this movie and I enjoyed his flair. I liked the stylistic cinematography. I loved the gruesome, Evil Dead-esque nature of some of the parts of the movie, like Doctor Strange inhabiting the zombie-esque corpse of his variant and then turning the spirits of the dead into a super cloak. It was metal as hell and definitely added to the wild, adventurous nature of the movie. So I was all for all the weird touches Raimi added to this movie and I hope it leads to more success for him.

2. I was surprised how much WandaVision mattered

I’ve wondered for a long time now how much the Disney+ TV shows are going to impact the movies, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness answered my curiosity: a bunch! This is the first film made with the shows in mind, and a whole heck of a lot of the movie is pretty dependent on WandaVision. Scarlet Witch’s entire existence and villainous motivation are all about the events of WandaVision. I think one can still understand her role if they never saw WandaVision…maybe?…but knowing WandaVision definitely added to the whole experience. And, again, I am fully in favor of this turn of events. I’m watching and loving all the shows. So any future show/movie crossovers is 100% OK with me! I’m just surprised at how closely the two connect is all.

1. Bring on all the things!

Bring it all on! Bring on a Doctor Strange 3 where he and Clea explore the Dark Dimension! Bring on Secret Wars as the next big event! Bring on the Fantastic Four already, announcing Krasinski as Reed and the rest of the cast! I don’t think this movie went overboard in teasing future projects, not to the same degree as, say, Age of Ultron. But there was a lot to look forward to based on what we saw here. And I’m in favor of all of it!

Long live the Marvel Cinematic Universe! Long live Doctor Strange! Long live all this fun stuff!

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