[FILM REVIEW] DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS Review (2022)

June 22, 2022June 25, 2022 Dave Adam Hugill, Ako Mitchell, Alex First, Aliyah Camacho, Anson Mount, Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, Bruce Campbell, Charlie Norton, Charlize Theron, Chess Lopez, Chiwetel Eliofor, David Griffiths, Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness, Eden Nathenson, Elizabeth Olsen, Hayley Atwell, Jett Klyne, John Krasinski, Julian Hilliard, Lashana Lynch, Michael Stuhlbarg, Michael Waldron, Patrick Stewart, Peter Krausz, Rachel McAdams, Ross Marquand, Ruth Livier, Sam Raimi, Shelia Atim, Topo Wresniwirio, Vinny Moli, Xochiti Gomez

Summary: Doctor Strange teams up with a mysterious teenage girl from his dreams who can travel across multiverses, to battle multiple threats, including other-universe versions of himself, which threaten to wipe out millions across the multiverse. They seek help from Wanda the Scarlet Witch, Wong and others.

Year: 2022

Cinema Release Dates: 5th May 2022 (Australia), 4th May 2022 (Thailand), 5th May 2022 (UK), 6th May 2022 (USA)

VOD Release Dates: TBA

Country: USA

Director: Sam Raimi

Screenwriter: Michael Waldron

Cast: Shelia Atim (Sara), Hayley Atwell (Captain Carter), Aliyah Camacho (Young America Chavez), Bruce Campbell (Pizza Poppa), Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Stephen Strange), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Baron Mardo), Xochiti Gomez (America Chavez), Julian Hilliard (Billy Maximoff), Adam Hugill (Rintrah), Jett Klyne (Tommy Maximoff), John Krasinski (Reed Richards), Ruth Livier (Elena Chavez), Chess Lopez (Amalia Chavaz), Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel), Ross Marquand (Ultron (voice)), Rachel McAdams (Dr. Christine Palmer), Ako Mitchell (Charlie), Vinny Moli (Vinny), Anson Mount (Black Bolt), Eden Nathenson (Ariann), Charlie Norton (The Weasel), Elizabeth Olsen (Wanda Maximoff/The Scarlet Witch), Patrick Stewart (Professor Charles Xavier), Michael Stuhlbarg (Dr. Nic West), Charlize Theron (Clea), Benedict Wong (Wong), Topo Wresniwiro (Master Hamir)

Running Time: 126 mins

Classification: M (Australia), 13 (Thailand), 12 (UK), PG-13 (USA)

OUR DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS REVIEWS

David Griffiths’ Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Review:

As a studio Marvel finds them in a strange position at the moment. They should be celebrating in the afterglow of Spider-Man: No Way Home which became one of the highest grossing and best received Marvel movies of all time. But since then they have released the poorly received Morbius while their latest streaming series Moon Knight which seems to have left audiences saying “it’s a bit dark.”

Now comes their latest cinema release Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness which to be honest probably isn’t the most ideal film for Marvel to be releasing off the back of their last two releases. Firstly because the first Doctor Strange movie seemed to polarise fans – they either loved it or hated it – and secondly if people think Moon Knight is dark well wait until they realise that director Sam Raimi’s (Drag Me To Hell) influence on this film has seen it released it most markets with a ‘horror’ tag on it.

Plot-wise it begins with a nightmare experienced by Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch – Star Trek: Into Darkness) in which he is willing to kill a teenager named America Chavez (Xochiti Gomez – The Baby-Sitters Club) in order to save himself.

The next day while attending the wedding of the woman he loves, Dr. Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams – The Notebook), the city is suddenly attacked by a creature by the multiverse. While fighting off the creature Strange realises that it is there after America Chavez whom he immediately recognises.She then tells him that his nightmare wasn’t a dream but actually happened in another dimension and that the Strange from that dimension is now dead.

Keen for answers Strange turns to Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen – Wind River) for answers but soon himself and Wong (Benedict Wong – The Martian) find themselves in danger as they try to protect Chavez. Soon Strange and Chavez find themselves going into the multiverse and fighting for their lives.

One of the biggest issues that the Marvel universe have had with the character of Doctor Strange over the years is that he is a hard to like character. They may try to deny it but let’s be honest you see fans warning to Captain America, Thor, Spider-Man and Iron-Man, you don’t exactly see people rushing out for Doctor Strange merchandise or to dress up like him unless they are a hardcore fan.

Some of that stigma was eroded though in Spider-Man: No Way Home where the studio allowed Benedict Cumberbatch to play a more likable Strange. There we saw a Strange that cracked jokes and had a caring attitude. It is that Strange that we find here in Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness and that instantly gets more fans onside.

To the credit of the team behind this film – director Sam Raimi and screenwriter Michael Waldron (Loki) – they also overcome that mystical-means-boring vibe that also hung over the original Doctor Strange film by mixing up the genres and giving a more human touch to the feel with characters such as Chavez. Genre wise you are in for a real treat – other than the obvious sci-fi fantasy that you were always going to get with this film Raimi allows the film to touch on some horror elements with a sprinkling of comedy and heart along the way as well.

What really wins you over with this film though are the surprises. First there is a major surprise with Wanda, which we can’t tell you because it is a spoiler, and then there are some truly amazing and creative cameos throughout this film that are guaranteed to have true Marvel fans gasping. At this point though we should warn you that you will get a lot more out of this film if you have watched all previous Marvel films and the Marvel series What If… and Wandavision.

Acting wise the film also produces some strong performances. Cumberbatch and Olsen carry much of this film and they do a wonderful job as their characters go through some pretty dramatic character journeys. Xochiti Gomez does a passable job as America Chavez but believe us it is the cameo performances that you are going to enjoy the most from this film

.Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness is a lot better than the original Doctor Strange movie but once again if you are expecting epic battle sequences and the magic feeling of some of the other Marvel movies you aren’t going to find it here. This is one for the hardcore Marvel fans.

Dave’s rating Out Of 5

Alex First and Peter Krausz’s Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Review:

Alex’s rating Out Of 5

Peter’s rating Out Of 5

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You can read our review of Doctor Strange In The Multiverse OF Madness that appeared in The Phuket News right here – https://www.thephuketnews.com/doctor-strange-a-spellbinding-experience-84059.php

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