Doctor Strange: A Non-Spoiler Review

Yes ladies and gentlemen...the Doctor is IN...and is the #1 movie in the world (as of this blog date). Marvel Studios adds the Sorcerer Supreme to its cast of cinematic crusaders. This is a non-spoiler review, but at least I can give some plot lines. For those not familiar with arguably one of the most powerful characters in the Marvel Universe, here's a primer. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a neurosurgeon, one of the best in his field. He takes the high medical cases, you know, those cases that medical journals would love to publish and awards would love to showcase. Unfortunately, this makes Stephen a complete ass-hat as far as personality and ego are concerned. After about an eight second scene as to why one shouldn't text and drive, Stephen loses his ability to perform surgery, thus knocking him off his lofty tower. After some karma and tantrums, Strange drains the last of his savings into a one way ticket to the East and searches for a person known as the Ancient One who can provide a cure for his hands...only this isn't the cure he initially seeks. Unknown to Strange is the war of magic brewing on Earth by a former disciple of the Ancient One and our heroes. Stephen, in the process of healing his hands, must now master the mystic arts and battle the forces of evil.

OK, so that's about as cliche' as I can get without ruining the movie. Although the plot is pretty cut and dry, the special effects are worth it. You may actually want to see this movie in 3D or IMAX...it's worth the extra bit of funds. The special effects nod to the 1960s psychedelic comic panels of Doctor Strange (Despair not nerds, Marvel has come to bargain). In trading for the awesome special effects, Marvel makes the decision to cast Tilda Swinton (Gabriel from Constantine) as the Ancient One. Now, I know what you're thinking, and yes...Tilda is bald for this role. This causes quite a bit of stir from those who have viewed the Ancient One as...well...Ancient (and Asian...there, I said it). The director stated that he didn't want a "Fu Manchu" type of Ancient One in the movie, and while the cast explains Tilda as a "Celtic" Ancient One, some folks just aren't buying it. Her acting, nevertheless is spot on as she can pull-off just about anything (think of a B team Meryl Streep). All in all, the movie is extremely good, and fits in well with the Marvel Universe. Stay for the credits of course. Doctor Strange is a wild ride that is worth a couple of viewings. Rank: B+