First Wave Of ‘Doctor Strange’ Reviews Hit

The Marvel Cinematic Universe seems to be an unstoppable force in the film industry, but is their latest film as great as the rest? Short answer, yes. The Benedict Cumberbatch-starring, Doctor Strange, will officially hit cinemas in the US on November 4, while the film drops internationally on October 27. Ahead of this, the review embargo has finally been lifted and we now know what the major outlets are saying about  Marvel’s latest flick.

While Rotten Tomatoes is not the most reliable of cinema scores, the film currently holds 100% with 5 reviews, as I said, not extremely reliable. The early reviews call Cumberbatch a star, as well as continuously praise the film’s special effects and psychedelic-tones. However, one of the major problems evident in these early reviews comes back to the infamous “Marvel formula,” in which a film set within the MCU will feature a bland villain, as well as a wasted supporting cast. Apparently, Doctor Strange ticks those boxes. Interestingly, the film has been compared to Marvel Studios’ freshman film, Iron Man.

You can read some excerpts below:

The Playlist’s Gregory Ellwood:

Like most Marvel movies, “Doctor Strange” would be pure escapist fare except for two important elements: the film’s often stunning depiction of the multiverse and a cast that simply insist their characters are grounded even with all the fantastical drama surrounding them (something audiences have not seen since the first “Iron Man” or portions of “The Avengers”).

[B-]

The Wrap’s Alfonso Duralde:

The performances are consistently engaging: Cumberbatch remains charming and quippy whether he’s full of himself or learning to let go and to face his fear, Swinton puts her otherworldly qualities to great use, and Rachel McAdams (as Strange’s former and maybe future girlfriend) provides a much-needed degree of groundedness to the bizarre goings-on. Mikkelsen is sadly underutilized, but his conflicts with Strange allow TV fans a long-awaited Hannibal vs. Sherlock match-up.

The Daily Beast‘s Jen Yamato:

If assholes like Stephen Strange can learn that serving the greater good is the ultimate best use of his talents, we might dare to hope the jerkwads of the real world can get a little bit more enlightened when asked to contemplate life, death, and their place in the universe—even if they have to be tricked into it by buying a ticket to the latest superhero movie with the promise of a psychedelic trip through the Marvel universe.

Uproxx’s Mike Ryan:

I enjoyed Doctor Strange a lot more than I thought I would. Not that I didn’t think director Scott Derrickson (Sinister) could produce a good Doctor Strangemovie, but more because introducing a new superher seems like such a thankless task nowadays. Moviegoers don’t love origin stories anymore, but Strange’s world is so strange bizarre, there’s really no way to just have this guy show up with his interdimensional thought-beam weapons, and sling rings, and magic cloak (which, here, has a personality of its own) and not offer some sort of two-hour explanation. This movie is your two-hour explanation. And Derrickson and crew offer enough dazzling visual eye candy that it almosthides what we are actually watching. Again, it’s almost a thankless task these days but Doctor Strange finds a way to make even the mundane seem unique.

Screencrush’s Matt Singer:

This is really the only way Doctor Strange deviates from the established Marvel formula: Typically Marvel movies have terrific characters and so-so visuals and action. Strange is the opposite; it’s glorious to look at (and the rare blockbuster where the 3D genuinely adds something to the experience) but the people are kind of dull. It’s to Derrickson’s credit that he managed to conjure up images to match his protagonist’s adventurous spirit. But you can see right through his characters, even when their souls aren’t floating outside of their bodies.

Variety’s Peter Debruge:

Such scenes may be good for spectacle, but Doctor Strange’s most fascinating battle is within himself, as he fights first to regain the use of his hands and later to overcome everything he has learned — not only about the laws of physics, but also the social conditioning that taught this workaholic that his self-worth was tied to a job he can no longer perform. The character is literally fighting for his life in this film, and Cumberbatch captures both his humbling and the subsequent recovery of confidence. Here is a man who cockily swore off being an emergency room surgeon because he wasn’t interested in saving one life at a time, only to be rendered useless by his injuries. So, while we might yawn at yet another threat to all mankind, “Doctor Strange” has been presented in such a way that this higher calling restores his ability to help the world entire. We understand that this calling matters to him, even if his motives remain a mystery.

IGN’s Eric Goldman:

14 movies into the MCU — and with many other comic book movies constantly opening these days — Doctor Strange’s basic origin story structure is a bit overly familiar, including a lot of the strengths (the charismatic lead; the exciting and fun moments where he discovers new abilities) and weaknesses (a villain that feels underwritten) we’ve come to expect. But the other realms and accompanying visuals it brings into the MCU are fascinating and thrilling, with a lot of potential for the future. Now that his origin story is out of the way, I look forward to seeing what’s next for the good Doctor.

[7.7/10]

The Hollywood Reporter‘s Todd McCarthy:

A ’60s cult figure stuck on the periphery of the Marvel Comics universe for 50 years finally spins into orbit to command the world’s attention in Doctor Strange, an engaging, smartly cast and sporadically eye-popping addition to the studio’s bulging portfolio. Determined, among other things, to top Christopher Nolan at his own game when it comes to folding, bending and upending famous cityscapes to eye-popping effect, this action movie ostensibly rooted in the mind-expanding tenets of Eastern mysticism is different enough to establish a solid niche alongside the blockbuster combine’s established money machines.

So, what do you guys make of all these reviews? The film does sound quite good, and I am fond of the comments regarding the movie’s style and tone. However, I am a little worried by the repeated mentions of Iron Man.

Doctor Strange hits theatres on November 4.

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