RECENT WATCHES: Doctor Strange (2016)

By 2016, it was apparent that Marvel could take absolutely any of their comic characters and turn them into a successful blockbuster. Oddball characters like “Guardians of the Galaxy” or perpetual B-listers like “Ant-Man” had all been turned into popular movies by this point. Mass audiences were finally ready for “Doctor Strange.” The psychedelic adventures of Steve Ditko's Sorcerer Supreme – tinged in mysticism, far-out visuals, and cosmic horror – had inspired a number of filmmakers previously. Established names like Bob Gale, Alex Cox, Wes Craven, David S. Goyer, Chuck Russell, Neil Gaiman and Guillermo del Toro had all tried before without success. It took the unstoppable Marvel Studios machine – and Scott Derrickson, a director who had made a few horror films of mild acclaim – to finally get Stephen Strange into cinemas.

Stephen Strange is maybe the greatest neurosurgeon in the world. It's a fact he is well aware of and the doctor is motivated more by ego than the desire to save lives. That is before a horrific car accident leaves his hands almost completely paralyzed. He begins a search for anything that will give him back that world-famous dexterity. His journey brings him to Kamar-Taj, the home of powerful mystic the Ancient One. At first skeptical, Strange's eyes are soon opened to a world of magic and mysticism he couldn't previously imagine. Strange soon finds himself part of an eons-old order destined to protect the multiverse from the forces of darkness. With his friend Mordo by his side, he is soon facing off against a dangerous zealot named Kaecilius.

“Doctor Strange” revolves around a well-known character arc. That of a rake, a self-centered asshole, going through a life-changing event that not only makes him a better person but sees him becoming a hero. It's a story line Marvel is well-acquainted with. It's almost the exact same arc as in the original “Iron Man.” Except “Doctor Strange” does “Iron Man” one better, because Stephen Strange isn't a war profiteer who never fucking learns his lesson. In fact, he remains devoted to the Hippocratic Oath of not taking a life even after becoming a superhero. It's incredibly satisfying  to watch this transformation, as Strange goes from being motivated by glory, to learning more about the world and himself, before he becomes utterly selfless at the end. Making this evolution all the more captivating is Benedict Cumberbatch, who strikes the perfect balance between honor, knowledge, and a sarcastic sense of humor.

The original “Doctor Strange” comics are perhaps most famous for their trippy artwork. No wonder so many directors were so eager to bring those wild images to life. Though Scott Derrickson's previous credits didn't show an especially memorable visual sense, he was obviously a fan of Ditko's iconic art. “Doctor Strange” utilizes its Disney budget to create some fantastic visuals. A tap from the Ancient One's thumb sends Stephen Strange hurling through the multiverse, a burst of colors, shapes, and crawling baby hands flashing on screen. Cityscapes, on more than one occasion, roll into kaleidoscopic waterfalls of tumbling buildings and structures. The fabrics of reality crack like glass, shift and reshape, and rewind backwards through time. This makes the action scenes especially colorful and innovative. Doorways to other worlds and realms are used as weapons, to toss away baddies. Weapons are forged from pulsating energy. It's all extremely cool.

For everything I like about “Doctor Strange,” the Marvel formula is in full effect here. That is to say a snarky leading man is aided by a wonderful supporting cast, against a villain that makes no impression at all. The casting of Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One attracted controversy. (It was a no-win situation for Marvel. Keep the character as Asian and you're playing into harmful stereotypes. Change the race and you're accused of whitewashing.) Swinton is fantastic at conveying a graceful sense of serenity and humor, ideal elements for this role. Chiwetel Ejiofor makes Mordo a complicated man, principled to the point of unwavering. Benedict Wong is one of the movie's secret weapons, as an excellent comedic straight man. Rachel McAdams doesn't have much to do as Christine Palmer – that's Night Nurse to you nerds – but she's a likable presence nonetheless.

Which brings us to Kaecilius. Mads Mikkelsen is a wonderful actor. His accent and appearance could've doomed him to a life of indistinct, creepy European villain roles. Yet he's always found a way to add depth to those parts before. Kaecilius, sadly, is nothing more than a plot device. He's a bad guy with nebulous goals, an obstacle on Doctor Strange's path to becoming the Sorcerer Supreme. Mikkelsen can only hint at the villain's tragic past, the (otherwise excellent) rocket sled pacing not leaving room for any more development. As if wasting Mads Mikkelsen wasn't bad enough, “Doctor Strange” sticks Scott Adkins into a henchman role so unimportant, his name is barely mentioned. (Though Adkins does get to perform one of his trademark acrobatic spin-kicks.)

For its flaws, “Doctor Strange” is forgiven for a lot because of its fantastic climax. After a succession of more impressive action scenes, including a wonderful fun rumble through the Sanctum Sanatorium and a time reversed fight through the crumbling streets of Hong Kong, the film goes more low-key for the final fight. More wonderfully colorful visuals greet the viewer as Strange goes face-to-face with Dormammu. While it would've been a treat to see the flame-headed dark god in his traditional guise, the movie cooks up a presentation that emphasizes his cosmic vastness. Strange defeats the villain not through brute force or clever outmaneuvering but by out-planning and out-thinking him. It's a truly unexpected and beautifully executed way to cap things off.

As far as most people's Marvel Cinematic Universe rankings go, “Doctor Strange” doesn't seem to usually rank too high or too low. Yet, the more I watch this movie, the more I love it. A wonderfully winning cast, some fantastic images and visuals, and a script that smartly mixes the familiar with the surprising hits all the right spots for me. It probably could've been better, with a better developed villain, but I get so much enjoyment out of “Doctor Strange,” I can't give it too much shit for that. This has, slowly and surprisingly, become one of my favorite of Marvel's films. [8/10]