FilmSnobReviews

Title: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Xochitl Gomez
Runtime: 2 hrs 6 mins

What It Is: There’s been a breach in the multiverse. Young America Chavez (Gomez) has the ability to leap between the different multiverses. The problem is she can’t control it. This ability to travel has led many to chase her through space and time to try and possess it themselves. So when she arrives in the universe we’re used to our Doctor Strange (Cumberbatch) must now hide America from the powerful and determined Scarlet Witch (Olsen) whose only goal is to find a universe where she can forever be with her sons.

What We Think: Man. This movie is a complete and utter mess. I like the risk-taking by Marvel. I’ll give them their flowers for letting Raimi KINDA do stuff. I really feel like had they allowed him more script control this could’ve been a top-flight experience. As it stands it is just sort of there. I’m all for trying something but this film stays in the formula while trying to push against it and also being a catastrophe in storytelling. I can’t put that on Raimi he shot what he was given as is the Marvel way. I can’t help but think about, to steal a phrase from Marvel themselves, the What If?

Our Grade: C-, I am only barely passing this film out of spite for Marvel not allowing a talented director to show all his talent. Handcuffing Raimi is like blinding Picasso (to some extent). You neuter any potential that was there. We’re probably going to get a third film, I don’t know that I want one. Marvel’s redeemed characters before (Thor for example) but I don’t think a change in directors makes sense if you don’t take the training wheels off.