A Reel Review: DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

One of the many reasons why the mighty Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has been so successful for the last 15 years is they have always acquired (and maintained), the right talent for the right jobs. This applies mostly for the casting, and in some cases, especially with DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS, the director. 

 

Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), travels through the multiverse in an effort to protect America Chavez (Xochiti Gomez), a teenager with the power to travel between universes, while Wanda/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), may have other ideas for use of such a power. 

 

Twenty years ago this month, director Sam Raimi, who had made a bloody splash with the hit horror franchise THE EVIL DEAD, kickstarted the superhero genre with SPIDER-MAN and its two sequels. Here with MADNESS, Raimi brings his experience in superhero work and horror films together in an exciting and sometimes horrifying mashup. In true superhero fashion, Strange’s first order of business is to protect; to keep young America from having her power stripped by an evil entity who could do unimaginable terrors with multiverse-travelling ability; it’s a movie of protecting one to save many, and it is an earnest superhero core that drives the film. 

 

Strange also has to deal with a traumatized Wanda, who is still reeling from events of her past and has other ideas of what to do with America’s powers. Wanda is a full-blown witch now, which gives Raimi the chance to play in his old (haunted) treehouse. Wanda puts Strange and America through all sorts of terrors including the walking dead, bodies being shredded, jump-scares, doppelgangers, and horrifying imagery. The MCU has made some classic superhero films in the past by crossbreeding superheroes with other genres, and this time we get Marvel’s first true horror film. 

 

The ability to travel through different universes introduces us to super-characters from the past that are stand-up-and-cheer worthy, and Raimi gives them all their due. Raimi puts his stamp all over the film with his horror roots, but also with his trademark non-traditional camera angles, zooms, and editing. There is an energy to the film that is electrifying, and there are no dull moments. Pacing is brisk, the visuals stunning, and the set-pieces breathtaking. Danny Elfman’s score is somewhat generic and lacks the international vibe that the previous DOCTOR STRANGE film score carried. And it is fair to say that MADNESS does require a fair amount of homework, as the film harks back to several past MCU films and the TV shows.

 

Acting is excellent. Benedict Cumberbatch has a full hold on his character and elevates him even after five appearances. Elizabeth Olsen steals the show and is a powerhouse. Xochiti Gomez is a delight. The rest of the cast, including Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, and Chiwetel Ejiofor are perfect. 

 

As with all MCU films, despite the spectacle and heavy lights and sounds in front of us, MADNESS still winds up as a character-driven piece, as every major action taken to launch the problems and resolve them are done as the characters need to do for their own personal stories and journeys. It’s perfectly balanced, just like Sam Raimi’s ideas for horror films and superheroes. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: See it