Doctor Strange Synopsis:
Marvel Studios presents “Doctor Strange,” the story of Doctor Stephen Strange, the Master of the Mystic Arts, who made his first appearance in Marvel comics in 1963.
The story follows world-famous neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange, whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he is forced to look for healing, and hope, in an unlikely place—a mysterious enclave known as Kamar-Taj. He quickly learns that this is not just a center for healing but also the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying our reality. Before long Strange—armed with newly acquired magical powers—is forced to choose whether to return to his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.
Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange” stars Benedict Cumberbatch (“The Imitation Game,” “Black Mass”), Chiwetel Ejiofor (“12 Years a Slave,” “Triple 9”), Rachel McAdams(“Spotlight,” “Southpaw”), Benedict Wong (“The Martian,” “Prometheus”), Michael Stuhlbarg (“A Serious Man,” “Jobs”), Benjamin Bratt (“Traffic,” “Piñero”) and Scott Adkins (“El Gringo,” “Expendables 2”), with Mads Mikkelsen (“The Hunt,” “Casino Royale”) and Academy Award® winner Tilda Swinton (“Michael Clayton,” “Julia”).
Hawaii Dad Blog's Review:
Doctor Strange is an origin tale, which is good because I had no idea about the character's back story. Stephen Strange is a brilliant, but arrogant neurosurgeon who gets into a horrific car accident in which he mangles his hands and loses his ability to do his work. In self-pity mode, he lashes out at those who try to help him, including fellow doctor and former girlfriend, Christine Palmer, who seems to still care for Strange. Doctor Strange soon learns of a man who was able to heal himself after breaking his back. This promise leads Strange to Kathmandu where he meets Mordo and his master, the Ancient One. Despite Mordo's advice to "forget everything you know," Doctor Strange is skeptical. That is until the Ancient One takes him on a psychedelic mind trip through time and space that leaves the Doctor begging to learn.
Doctor Strange's brilliance and competitive nature combine to make him a fast learner. Combine that with the feeling that he was somehow destined to be a master sorcerer and it's easier to buy his rapidly advancing ability. He needs to be a quick learner because he soon has to match up with the Ancient One's traitorous former student, Kaecilius, who has stolen pages from her ancient, mystical book. He uses the rituals in these pages to summon the powerful Dormammu of the Dark Dimension where the laws of time and nature do not exist.
The visual effects in this movie are stunning. During fight scenes, buildings are turned and manipulated to create an avalanche of bricks and mortar. Traveling through time and space is visualized as a kaleidoscope of hallucinogenic shapes and color patterns. All of these special effects are even more enhanced with the use of 3D. I don't think I've ever seen a movie where the use of 3D technology was better used or more vital to the visual feel than with Doctor Strange. I strongly recommend paying the extra money to get the full experience!
My 7-year old son enjoyed the movie, often referring back to how Doctor Strange would "teleport" and fight a "big alien face." However, the concepts and dialogue were definitely over his head when the movie delved into the mysticism and mythology that only a true comic geek could love. There is also quite a bit of cursing in the movie.
I think the Doctor Strange story will be an interesting one to watch over future, inevitable sequels. I am also curious to see how Doctor Strange will be integrated into the Avengers world, as a mid-credits scene hints at.
Doctor Strange is in theaters now.
Of course you know, I'm going to see this. Haha.
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