Dr. Strange by SHINYGOODGUY

CINEMA

Dr. Strange

POSTED BY: SHINYGOODGUY
UPDATED: Monday, March 27, 2017 18:32
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VIEWED: 4531
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Saturday, November 5, 2016 2:49 AM

The Marvel Universe has another winner on it's hands, Dr. Strange. It is a really good origin story about life and death - you know, the meaning of life, but it never felt like you were being preached to or lectured. No it was more like a travel guide to the universe and the preciousness of life.

What I liked most is how the film brought you along for the ride. We learned as Strange learned, at a fluid pace and all was understood as the rules of the game were quietly explained. The story - Strange seeks a cure to his ailment after a near fatal car accident after, wait for it, texting while driving a Lambourghini on a narrow stretch of road. So it is contemporary, and it was, to my surprise, funny.

I remember reading this comic book title as a kid, and they pretty much followed the original almost to a T. It followed the journey of a gifted surgeon with all the arrogance that comes with a man born to a profession.
But all is lost after the accident and Strange (played perfectly by Cumberbatch) is obsessed in finding a cure to his gift. He travels to the
far east and comes upon an ancient teacher who shows him a different world and realms of possibilities. I saw it in 3D and it felt so real, although it did take a few moments to get used to. The FX reminded me greatly of Inception with the folding cities and gravity-defying motion, but it fit
the concept of a magical world just outside of "our" field of vision.

I felt as though I was being guided through this maze as a student rather than a spectator. I never heard of Scott Derrickson, but he did a marvelous job in directing this movie. The action sequences flowed smoothly and the more quiet moments never slowed the overall fluid pace of the movie. There were other solid performances Mads Mikkelson as the bad guy, Kaecilius - a sorcerer who develops his own sect and wants to change the world and become immortal. Chiwetel Ejiofor, yes our own Operative, is Baron Mordo, a warrior sorcerer who battles alongside Dr. Strange, who often questions Strange's motives. Tilda Swinton, as the Ancient One is perfectly cast
as Strange's wise master teacher. All stand out in filling the world of mystic magic with Marvel-style action. If there were flaws in this movie, they were hardly noticeable, that is to say I didn't see them and I didn't care.

Dr. Strange was an entertaining journey into my early comic-book reading past, that was efficiently presented and neatly portrayed. But for me the key was Cumberbatch and the relationships he develops with Mordo and the Ancient One.

3.5 Stars out of 5, in other words go see, even in 3D (it's not annoying).

SGG

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Saturday, November 5, 2016 8:47 AM

THGRRI

Yeah I want to see this movie

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Saturday, November 5, 2016 10:25 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.

I may see it eventually, but it won't be in the theater. I'm burned out on comic-based movies, especially those for characters I've never read and barely heard of. This week I'd rather go see Hacksaw Ridge, and then next week, Arrival.

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Saturday, November 5, 2016 7:51 PM

SHINYGOODGUY

I could understand your hesitation EC, lately I have been disappointed in the comic book movies as well with the exception of Deadpool, which was totally entertaining (as these things go) and Thor (which I loved as a teen and the first one was not only entertaining, but it followed the tradition
of the Marvel Thor mythology - the whole Asgard thing had me whooping it up). I must include the first Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy.

Strange was well made, Cumberbatch, Swinton and Chiwetel gave it some good flavor that you wouldn't ordinarily get from the comic book. It reminded me of the first X-Men in tone and pacing, but yeah I get it, it has gotten too much. I'm going to see Arrival next week for sure and Hacksaw Ridge looks interesting.

As an aside, I read Dr. Strange as a kid because I had a more than general interest in magic and sorcery on film, which translated to my comic book reading. It is not your average comic book, nor is he your average super hero. Well, enjoy whenever you get to see it.

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
I may see it eventually, but it won't be in the theater. I'm burned out on comic-based movies, especially those for characters I've never read and barely heard of. This week I'd rather go see Hacksaw Ridge, and then next week, Arrival.

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Monday, November 7, 2016 2:36 PM

ZEEK

I liked it. However, I am a fan of the marvel cinematic universe. The ways the movie opened up that universe to way more characters and stories from the comics was exciting to me. I'm guessing most of that would be lost on a casual viewer. The acting was still good and I was surprised at how well the comic relief worked. I still don't know if I'd recommend it to a general audience though.

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Tuesday, November 8, 2016 4:53 AM

SHINYGOODGUY

For the most part, I agree with you Zeek. I liked how they interjected the comic relief (I remember, as an avid comic book reader - from about 10-21 years old - how "serious" or dark Dr. Strange was), but they did a good job with that aspect.

I'm not sure about the general audience part though. The theater I was in was packed (a 7:00 p.m. Friday night showing in 3D) and the overall mood was active and good. People laughed in all the right parts and generally loved the action. I attribute that to the pace of the movie, which never really lingered too much in any one area, even the love interest, played competently by Rachel McAdams. What I found particularly good was how they went about revealing the world of the mystic arts. They explained the rules of engagement pretty well throughout, which could have easily been a disaster. It did gross $90 million overseas, and $75 million over the opening weekend domestically.

Now, I don't know how much of that was due to Cumberbatch (I would venture to say, a lot) or how much was due to Marvel's overall track record, because Dr. Strange is not your typical superhero, but I would say that a general audience helped drive those numbers. Still though, it was fun to see one of my comic book heroes come to life. Cumberbatch was genius casting, so were
Chiwetel, Mads and Tilda Swinton.

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by Zeek:
I liked it. However, I am a fan of the marvel cinematic universe. The ways the movie opened up that universe to way more characters and stories from the comics was exciting to me. I'm guessing most of that would be lost on a casual viewer. The acting was still good and I was surprised at how well the comic relief worked. I still don't know if I'd recommend it to a general audience though.

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Tuesday, November 8, 2016 3:07 PM

MUDD

I'd place this in MCU's midrange. I wasn't as blown away by it as I have been by Marvel's best movies, but I found it still solidly enjoyable.

Pros:
- Chiwetel Ejiofor. I'd see him in anything. I'm not a huge fan of Tilda Swinton, but I liked her here more than I usually do.
- The action is fun and unique. Portals, changing gravity, and folds in reality made for some really different action sequences. And The Ancient One's magic fan is perhaps the coolest weapon I've ever seen.
- Unexpected moments of humor. The cloak seemed to be a crowd favorite.

Cons:
-The actual story (imho). I think this was supposed to be the familiar arc of "selfish guy become nicer guy after expanding his world view." Similar to Iron Man or Thor. But nothing happens to make Strange a good guy. He's just on the side of the world not ending. The time loop with Dormammu didn't make sense to me. The romantic relationship wasn't anything particularly interesting.

Basically nothing made me feel particularly hooked or invested, but it was still a fun ride. I'd see it again.

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Sunday, November 13, 2016 8:40 AM

JO753

rezident owtsidr

Saw it last nite. I rate it pretty good. I think the sequel will probably be even better, given the great karakterz and being relieved uv the nesesityz uv the orijin story.

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DUZ XaT SEM RiT TQ YQ? - Jubal Early

http://www.nooalf.com

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Monday, March 27, 2017 6:32 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

I also waited to see it. "Pretty Good" seems a just rating. Probably on par with Ant Man ?

I was a fan of Benedict Cumberbactch before, and am more so now. He's got a good thing goin'. Hope it continues ( not just this character )

Post credit scene was nicely done.

Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they are insured... but not everyone must prove they are a citizen

I'm just a red pill guy in a room full of blue pill addicts.

" AU, that was great, LOL!! " - Chrisisall

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