Following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home and Loki, Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), with the help of both old and new mystical allies, travels into the multiverse to face a mysterious new adversary.

Climbing into the director’s chair and taking the reigns of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is noted filmmaker Sam Raimi. An artist whose career has spanned decades across multiple genres and who approaches every film with a fresh eye and unmatched creativity, Raimi makes Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness his own. And long time fans will be thrilled with how he goes to work with this one. Some filmmakers, including the likes of James Gunn and Taika Waititi, have their unique style that blends itself into the MCU seamlessly and that is exactly what we see here in Raimi’s work. Fans who are familiar with his work will note his kinetic action style and seamless mix of good old-fashioned action and quippy dialogue, along with his use of classic crash zooms and whip pans, marks this film as uniquely his.

Raimi’s stance as a horror filmmaker also comes into play in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in a big way, and audiences are up for a serious fright in this latest chapter of the MCU. While I don’t want to jump too directly into the realm of spoilers, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a serious horror film and crosses its dimension-hopping science-fiction elements with utter dark magic, and the horror elements are off the chart. With classic callbacks to the likes of Carrie, The Exorcist, and his classic Evil Dead films, Raimi goes to work on bringing out the horror of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and there are some jump scares that will make you leap out of your seat. This presence of the horror genre in a Marvel Studios film is something completely new and different, and this exploration of an underlying dark supernatural edge is a key component of the film’s intriguing narrative.

The presence of the Multiverse itself also brings about a wonderful place for exploration on Raimi’s behalf and the sheer visual presence of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is striking to look upon. Raimi, along with cinematographer John Mathieson and production designer Charles Wood use up every piece of the screen’s canvas to bring this story to life and the possibility of a seemingly unending series of universes is rife for creative expression. The laws of physics and reality are pulled to extremes in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and it’s a very wild show. One of my favourite moments of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a presentation of these different universes and it’s an utterly visual marvel to look upon, your eyes will be wide with excitement and the visuals that we see on the big screen are a key part to the excitement of this epic film.

Benedict Cumberbatch once again returns to wear the cloak and command the vast magic of the Multiverse as Dr. Stephen Strange and we find him in a brand new place in his life. Having saved the world at great cost due to the events of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, he’s now a man who is looking for a new path to travel in his life. Until he is pulled directly into the fight for the very existence of the Multiverse itself. As always, Cumberbatch is completely at ease with the action and heroics of Doctor Strange and Raimi’s presence as a director allows the actor to bring out more of his comedic side and there’s a great witty sense of banter that is infused with his performance this time around. The presence of the Multiverse also allows for different sides of Cumberbatch’s Dr. Stephan Strange to be seen on screen and the actor has a grand time getting to portray these different versions of himself which include the heroic ‘Defender Strange’ and the corrupted ‘Sinister Strange’. And audiences had better watch out for these new Strange entities.

Also playing a key role inside the events of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch. And she’s in a very dark place this time around. Following on from the tragic events of WandaVision and the loss of her children, Olsen’s Wanda is now overcome by grief, loss and obsession. And it’s these emotions that compel her actions throughout the film’s narrative. Not wanting to run into spoilers, the best way to describe Wanda’s presence within the film is that of a literal ‘force’ and Raimi gives Olsen room to move in a brand new direction. And she utterly excels in it. Olsen’s performance in the film was one of my most enjoyable parts of watching this film, and I liked how dynamic and intriguing her character was. She did something completely and utterly different with the role and this makes a big impression on-screen.

Those audience members seeking a rush of action with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will be well rewarded for their presence with this film and Raimi fills the screen with full-on magical combat. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is an utter fight as the forces of evil battle the balance of light, and aspects of dark magic and sorcery are brought forth and Raimi’s unique cinematic style aids in bringing his own certain blockbuster feeling to the big screen. The film’s drive towards the horror genre also has a big impact on the storytelling that we see here in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and it’s edgy at times to watch. And while I can’t dive into it, the introduction of the Illuminati is a pure WOW factor moment and audiences will be spellbound.

As a long time fan and viewer of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I have found that my tastes for its stories lend more toward the fantastical. Films such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vo. 2, Ant-Man, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Thor: Ragnarok and the original Doctor Strange are films that have made the biggest impact on me and I love the mixture of fantasy, science fiction and just the pure escapism that is a central core of these films. This is exactly what Sam Raimi gives us in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness a film of utter grand wonder and visual splendour and there’s so much to be excited by with this film. And in a post-script, make sure you stay till the end credits, as some terrific post-credit scenes tease at the possibilities to come.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is an utter rush from beginning to end, and long time MCU fans who are looking for excitement and some solid and edgy thrills will be rewarded greatly by this experience. With its scope and vision, this is a film that needs to be viewed on the biggest screen possible and you’ll truly feel the marvel with this genuine blockbuster.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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10. The Legend of Tarzan

The sheer epic-ness of the world’s original pulp hero was brought back to the big screen with immense scope and scale thanks to the grand vision of director David Yates. The Legend of Tarzan was fierce and uncompromising, and took audiences back to a long forgotten time and a mythical jungle landscape. Alexander Skarsgard was in full hero mode as the legendary Tarzan, and carried a physique of god-like proportions, while Margot Robbie was no damsel as his beloved wife Jane. The chemistry between these two was sizzling and not for one moment did my adrenaline stop pumping in this all-action adventure.

9. The Magnificent Seven

The west sure got wild thanks to this high-octane gunslinging adventure from director Antoine Fuqua that took one of cinema’s greatest ever films and re-imagined it for a whole new generation. Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke and Chris Pratt were all quick on the draw and steadfast in their actions, while Haley Bennett proved that she could wrangle the bad guys just as much as the boys, and was a crack shot with a long rifle. The Magnificent Seven was a thumping ride from beginning to end and was a terrific ode to the grand old westerns of the past.

8. Allied

Heart-wrenching love and terrible secrets kept me guessing every second in this ticking time bomb of a movie that delivered big bangs and even bigger shocks. The tension never eased for a moment in Allied, and director Robert Zemeckis sure knows how to keep his audience on edge. Stars Brad Pitt and Marion Cotillard had undeniable chemistry together and brought incredible focus to this tightly wound thriller. Allied’s production design and costuming also brought back memories of Hollywood’s golden era, and I certainly did not anticipate that shocking ending.

7. The Light Between Oceans

Love is the most powerful force of all, and director Derek Cianfrance explored its ecstatic highs and heartbreaking lows in this emotionally evocative piece of drama. Michael Fassbender was at the top of his game, but it was Alicia Vikander who stole every scene as a woman and a mother who could not bear to let her child go. The tears certainly flowed while watching The Light Between Oceans, and Cianfrance also gifted us with the beautiful cinematography of Adam Arkapew, which made this film even more emotionally heartfelt.

6. Doctor Strange

The Marvel Universe’s greatest ever magician finally found his way to the big screen this year thanks to Benedict Cumberbatch, and man-o-man was Doctor Strange a mind trip! Director Scott Derrickson brought the hallucinogenic images of Steve Ditko’s art to life in all their vivid detail, and threw his audience head first into the astral plain. And as for Cumberbatch, the British thespian was all we could have wanted and more as the snarky, pretentious know-it-all who falls to historic lows before finally rising up and becoming the Master of the Mystic Arts. Wild, entertaining and very, very cool, Doctor Strange proved that Marvel certainly has plenty more surprises in store for its legions of fans.

5. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

The force was indeed strong with Gareth Edwards’ standalone galactic adventure Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which told the hard-won battle of the Rebel Alliance’s fight to steal the Death Star plans, and turn the tide of the war against The Empire. A stunning ensemble cast lead by Felicity Jones provided plenty of terrific new characters, along with lots of heroic actions. But the real power of Rogue One came from Edwards’ ability to put his audience deep into the heart of the film’s climatic battle scenes, as the Rebel Alliance stormed the beaches of Scariff to put an end to The Empire’s super weapon in a desperate do-or-die mission.

4. Hunt for the Wilderpeople

This instant Kiwi classic was sheer laugh-out-loud hilarity thanks to the combined talents of Hollywood veteran Sam Neill and the charm of hell raising teenager and ‘bad egg’ Ricky Baker, who was played to perfection by newcomer Julian Dennison. This good’ol tramping movie struck out deep into the untamed bush of New Zealand, and followed the misadventures of these totally unique characters as they rebelled against a society that had given up on them, before eventually finding strength and a sense of family with one another. Once again director Taika Waititi’s comedic timing was incredible, and his surprise cameo appearance had me in stitches. You simply couldn’t find a better comedy this year.

3. The Nice Guys

There was no better team up this year than Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling as mismatched hoodlum Jackson Healy and inept private investigator Holland March, who find themselves way over their heads in this laugh-out-loud black comedy from Shane Black. Packed with cracking dialogue, and tough guy swagger, The Nice Guys was a classic noir tale that sucked you into Hollywood’s seedy underbelly of the 1970s as these two ‘amateurs’ did everything they could to right a terrible wrong, along with turning a tidy profit in the process. The Nice Guys was a thoroughly entertaining watch and one of the best films I saw all year.

2. La La Land

The cinematic experience didn’t get more magnificent than Damien Chazelle’s lavish musical sensation La La Land. This throwback to the grand musicals of Hollywood’s golden era was packed with a terrific jazz-infused score and was bursting at the edges with pop energy. While Ryan Gosling channelled Fred Astaire’s dance moves and Frank Sinatra’s laid back cool, Emma Stone brought a great deal of heart and soul to this thumping movie. If ever there was a film to champion the magic of those who dream then it most definitely was La La Land. 

1. Deadpool

But it all it comes down to this. My favourite film of the year was undoubtedly the ultra-violent and incredibly crazy superhero action adventure love tale that was Deadpool. Ryan Reynolds knocked it out of the park as the Merc with a Mouth and proved that his snazzy one-liners were just as lethal as his sword skills. Reynolds, along with director Tim Miller held nothing back in this love letter to the cult comic book character, and it really showed on screen. Deadpool was pure, crazy, cinematic fun at its best.

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Doctor Strange is certainly no different.

This origin story introduces us to the exceptionally talented and ruthlessly arrogant neurosurgeon, Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), whose life changes when a devastating car crash cripples his hands. When Western medicine fails him, his search for healing leads him to the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) who reveals a secret world of sorcery and the constant battle against those who subscribe to the dark arts. Strange is faced with the choice of his old life of success and fortune or leaving it all to defend the planet against inter-dimensional threats.

Cumberbatch creates a memorable, charismatic character that’s reminiscent of the ever-popular Tony Stark played by Robert Downey Jr. while keeping his own unique brand of wit, charm and ego. His exchanges with the enclave librarian, Wong (Benedict Wong) are spliced beautifully between the intense mystical training and philosophical pondering. Chiwetel Ejiofor gives a brilliant performance as Strange’s headstrong mentor, Mordo while Swinton brings a fresh take and new personality to the Ancient One, typically portrayed as an old, Nepalese man.

I particularly felt they really got the villain right with Mads Mikkelsen who plays Kaecilius, a former student of the Ancient One gone bad. There’s more depth to his character than the usual mindless hunger for destruction; he was the product of conflicting ideologies when he questioned the teachings of his former master. He certainly wasn’t boring to watch.

I need to take a moment to try and emphasise how mind-bogglingly incredible the visual effects are in this film. Watching a speck-like Strange fall through vast dimensions or a kaleidoscopical Manhattan that would make Christopher Nolan jealous is an experience in itself. I personally recommend seeing this movie in 3D.

As the newest addition to the MCU, Doctor Strange is most definitely welcome and intensely fun to watch. The trademark mid-credit and end-credit scenes leave plenty to speculate on regarding the wider plot as we inevitably lead to the Infinity War.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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When eminent but vain neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) loses the loss of his hands in a severe car accident he is left broken and in despair. Desperate for a miracle he travels the world, making his way to the Far East where he comes under the tutelage of the mystical Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) who instructs him in the power of magic and the divine. Taking the mantle of the ‘Sorcerer Supreme’ Strange must use his new found power to battle a renegade follower of the Ancient One whose plans for chaos could impact the entire world.

The new trailer showcases a spot on Cumberbatch as Strange, as he is thrown into a world of Escher-like mystery. The trailer also strikes a good balance between Cumberbatch’s Strange and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Baron Mordo. While their relationship will take a different turn from the comics, it is sure to produce plenty of heated exchanges between these cinematic heavy hitters. Mads Mikkelsen also steps out of the shadows and appears to be channeling his unique villain skills as the ferocious and vengeful sorcerer Kaecilius.

Doctor Strange has major importance to Marvel’s Phase Three, not just because it is the launch pad for a brand new hero, but because it’s introducing the concept of magic into the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe. Doctor Strange also ties into the greater cosmos setting that Marvel are pushing towards with Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2, and the impending showdown between the heroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Josh Brolin’s celestial titan Thanos.

Marvel fans will have a lot to look forward to when Doctor Strange is released in cinemas on October 27 in New Zealand and Australia, on October 28 the UK and in the US on November 4.

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