MOVIE REPORT CARD: DOCTOR STRANGE

DATE: 11/4/16
TITLE: DOCTOR STRANGE
DIRECTOR: SCOTT DERRICKSON
STARRING: BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH, CHIWETEL EJIOFOR, MADS MIKKELSEN, RACHEL MCADAMS, TILDA SWINTON

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GRADES

ACTING: 90
DIRECTING: 85
SCREENPLAY: 75
EDITING: 80
CINEMATOGRAPHY: 95

​FINAL: 85/B

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COMMENTS

While Doctor Strange offers up enough fun to breathe, the dull story and once again, weak villain hurt it. The film is gracefully injected with life, by Benedict Cumberbatch, who makes Stephen Strange, one of the best characters in the MCU. The other main leads, most notably Tilda Swinton, anchor the film with gravitas. Also not to be upstaged, are the film's fantastic visuals, which bring the trippy world of Doctor Strange to life. Where the film suffers, is in its paint-by-numbers origin tale, as well as the incredibly weak villain, played by Mads Mikkelsen. Not even the talents of Mikkelsen, can save the villain this time around. The first act of Doctor Strange, is so rushed, it feels like whiplash, as it tries to cram as much explanation as possible, in such a short amount of time. Despite this, the film makes a wise choice, in focusing as much as it can, on Strange. And opening up the MCU to his mystical world. This, and the visuals, are where the film thrives. Not the best in the MCU, but still a mostly fun ride.