About the film (courtesy of Marvel Studios):
The MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. Journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), who, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.
I’m personally keeping this review on the slightly shorter side with more vagueness than usual. The less you actually know, the more immersive and exciting Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is going to feel. While this is a sequel to Doctor Strange (2016), being that this is the second Marvel Cinematic Universe movie that focuses on Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) in the spotlight, it should be more so considered as a continuation.
In the six years between these two features, Strange has also appeared in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), the Disney+ exclusive, What If…? and lastly, Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). The last two titles mentioned, along with another Disney+ exclusive, WandaVision. which followed the further exploits of Wanda Maximoff / The Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), fully sets up the foundation as the jumping point for the MCU to become fully committed with the effects of bringing the multiverse into play.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits the ground running from the opening sequence, making audiences feel as though they’ve missed a portion of the movie. Fear not, all will be covered as the two hour and six minute assault on your known reality takes place. We’re immediately introduced to a new character, America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) who, like you’ll be at some point, seems to be struggling to keep up with every hectic moment.
In addition to the three actors I have already spoken of, also returning to reprise roles that audiences have come to know are Benedict Wong, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Rachel McAdams. These three, in addition to an inspired story, will keep you busy attempting to unravel the mysteries of this new journey’s trajectory. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will give you much to chew on and mentally digest.
With all of the special effects being thrown around along with camera trickery, be prepared feel like you’re on some type of illicit drug trip that is not unlike the first film. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is relatively compact with all that it throws the audience’s way. That is not an easy feat to achieve.
Sam Raimi delivers on an early promise to make this experience feel “darker” than previous MCU entries to-date. Raimi definitely brings some Evil Dead and Darkman (1990) vibes to his vision of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. It’ll probably feel a bit foreign and maybe a little uncomfortable to seasoned fans of the Marvel franchise, but one they regain their footing, all should be well to move forward.
It’s hard to tell the direction that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is leading the MCU to as well as what might be in store, but wherever it may be heading, I think it’s pretty clear that this isn’t the same feel we’ve had with the first three phases of these movies. Phase IV seems adamant on reshaping the MCU image into something a bit edgier and less predictable. There’s a lot to like about this latest entry, including a few surprises along the way. That being said, there are definitely aspects that could have been improved upon.
You can see Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness only in theaters starting with early showings on Thursday late afternoon and opening wide on Friday, May 6. Check it out.
