Can you believe that the MCU kicked off in 2008 Iron Man as part of Phase One of the movies that we now can’t wait to see! Now we’ve entered Phase Three of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) which started with Captain America: Civil War and is now continuing with the latest movie, Doctor Strange.
After Stephen Strange (played by Benedict Cumberbatch), the world’s top neurosurgeon is involved in a car accident that ruins his career, he sets out on a journey of healing, where he encounters the Ancient One.
Doctor Strange – 3D, No Wait, It’s 2D!
I’d been waiting for ages for the release of Doctor Strange and the excitement was building, even more, knowing that I would finally get to see the movie in all its 3D glory, or so I thought!
I arrived at Cineworld in Llandudno, showed my e-ticket to the member of staff and made my way to the screen 5, put my phone in aeroplane mode, removed my Polaroid RealD 3D glasses from their protective case and waiting for that moment when the screen lit up with those 3D inspiring words “Please put on your 3D glasses now“.
The lights lowered down, the classification screen for Doctor Strange came on, this was it, finally Doctor Strange in 3D! Well, no! The 3D version of the movie just wasn’t working at first I thought it was me, but it appeared that something was wrong with the projector!
So 10 minutes into the film, a member of staff came into the room and apologised for the problem and that the 3D could not be resolved and that the 2D version would be shown instead, but there would be a wait. Meanwhile, complimentary tickets were given out to people and those of us with unlimited cards were given a voucher for a regular drink and food, so 20-30 minutes later the film restarted in 2D.
So what would have been a 3D review has now become your standard film review, but I can only imagine what the 3D would have been like, so it looks like another visit to the cinema to bring you an update on that one!
Doctor Strange Continuing Phase Three
OK enough of that, onto the movie itself, so as I mentioned earlier I’ve really been looking forward to this one, the teasers of Benedict Cumberbatch as Strange have looked really good and although the screening did falter to start with, the movie is pure fun to watch. Cumberbatch was brilliant as Strange, he seemed perfectly suited for the part and even looks the part.
The special effects, even in 2D, is pretty mind-blowing with the cities bending and twisting to produce impossible city-scapes, remember those scenes in the movie Inception with the city folding in on itself, well that’s nothing compared to these twisting, bending and melding scenes.
Right from the start of Doctor Strange you have a feeling that this is going to be another of the Marvel movies that are going to pull people in and want more from Strange and his fellow sorcerers, it’s full of action, great special effects and few witty moments where the audience in the cinema erupt in laughter at Strange’s one-liners.
The film not only looks good, it also sounds good, with a soundtrack by Michael Giacchino (The Incredibles, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Star Trek Beyond) the soundscape matches the city-scapes, Giacchino has certainly brought is touch to the soundtrack, it is a “magical” soundtrack that certainly adds to the overall feel of the movie.
Doctor Strange v Kaecilius
You have to love to hate the villains in an MCU movie and Kaecilius (played by Mads Mikkelsen) is no exception, as soon as Mikkelsen comes on to the screen you can feel is presence, you just know that he is certainly going to give Strange a run for his money and attempt to seriously kick some sorcerer’s backside. His almost lifeless stare in each scene that he is in, give you the foreboding insight to the evil that lies beneath his character’s face.
Tilda Swinton is also very good as “The Ancient One”, although Swinton’s take is as a Celtic-version of the character, rather than a male one born over five hundred years ago in Kamar-Taj, a village in a hidden land in the Himalaya Mountains. But I have to say in roles like these, she still reminds me of Gabriel in Constantine, but maybe that’s just me.
Doctor Strange is a movie that you have to see and you will enjoy, don’t forget to look out for Stan Lee during your visit to see the movie, he is in there with one of his more comical cameos, also as I always say to anyone going to see a Marvel movie, do not leave before the credits end! Doctor Strange is no exception to the rule, the film as a mid-credits scene as well as an end credits scene.
What Next for Doctor Strange and the MCU
So now the movie is out and Doctor Strange has now taken us well into Phase Three of the MCU, plus the teaser we get from the end credits, there is so much more to come. Let’s not forget we can now also look forward to the releases of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), Thor: Ragnarok (2017), Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018), Captain Marvel (2019), an untitled Avengers sequel (2019) and three untitled films in 2020 planned, so buckle up and get ready for more excitement over the next four years.
Doctor Strange 3D Update
So the other night, I got the time to check out the movie in 3D, wow was that worth waiting to see. The 3D doesn’t so much jump out at you during the movie, but it certainly adds to the depth of the scenes that deserve to be seen in 3D. The mirror dimension with its many moving building etc works brilliantly in 3D, giving you a real feeling that you are there, also the magical spells being cast, float deliciously in the foreground.
So if you get the chance, opt for the 3D for Doctor Strange, it’s well worth it.
Movie title: Doctor Strange
Movie description: While on a journey of physical and spiritual healing, a brilliant neurosurgeon is drawn into the world of the mystic arts.
Date published: October 25, 2016
Country: UK
Duration: 1h 55m
Director(s): Scott Derrickson
Actor(s): Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
