Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Rachel McAdams
Directed By: Sam Raimi
Written By: Michael Waldron
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness blows doors wide open for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, correction, Multiverse in this case.
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There’s no need to walk through a portal or create a dimensional rift, just find your way to see Doctor Strange In The Madness and allow the master of the mystic arts to guide you through the deepest, darkest, and strangest corners of the Multiverse.
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness Synopsis
Following the events of Wandavision and Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness follows Doctor Strange in his attempts to protect America Chavez, an interdimensional teenage girl who possesses an untamed ability to open rifts through the multiverse. After plans to seek help from Wanda Maximoff backfire horribly, Strange discovers that the imminent threat to not only America but the entire multiverse as we know it is the Scarlet Witch, the most terrifying and dangerous mom.
Initial Strange Impressions
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness is the first MCU film that experiments with the horror genre with the pioneer of fright, Sam Raimi clinging tightly with a dark hold of Marvel’s hive mind as the film’s director. Raimi is also famous for directing the original Spider-Man trilogy starring Tobey Maguire. For those of you who have yet to see the movie, no Spider-Man is not in the film. Be glad you saw him in Spider-Man: No Way Home, there’s multiversal madness there too.
This sequel dared to stand out from its predecessor with a more direct emphasis on the supernatural element and fully embrace the spine-tingling moments that horror has to offer while remaining within the constraints of a PG-13 rating. The film is definitely not Marvel’s best film, but it is their wildest without a shadow of a doubt.
A fast-paced yet intriguing story, stunning visuals, mounting terror, shock, and awe were ever much present in Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness.
The film wastes no time, it immediately introduces us to America Chavez and establishes Wanda as the primary antagonist, The Scarlett Witch. That being said, the plot takes for granted that everyone has seen WandaVision and understands Wanda’s villainous turn. So for those of you who still haven’t seen WandaVision, you’ll need to watch first to see Multiverse Of Madness, otherwise, you’ll be lost. There’s no escape.
While we learn that Wanda herself is all of the madness, we come to the realization of the film absolutely being a horror. Raimi being the legend that he is in the land of horror paid subtle homage to favored fright flicks such as The Evil Dead, The Ring, and Carrie. So for those of you who are parents or guardians, I won’t advise letting the little ones see this film.
A Round Of Applause For The Spectacular Cast
Elizabeth Olsen is hauntingly wicked as The Scarlet Witch and understandably mournful as Wanda Maximoff. Over the years we got to see Olsen’s range develop as Wanda, all of her character’s tragedies culminate in an evil metamorphosis as The Scarlett Witch in Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness. Olsen steals the film away from Cumberbatch effortlessly.
Honestly, the film should’ve been named “Doctor Strange In Scarlett Witch’s Movie”, then again it’s no coincidence that it included “Multiverse Of Madness” in its title while having a dominating focus on Marvel’s most horrifying mom. Don’t show your mom this movie by the way.
Xochitl Gomez shines brightly as America Chavez, proving herself to be a vibrant force that the spellbinding sequel needed. Her presence filled a void left opened by Peter Parker after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Gomez had no issues playing this girl who’s afraid of her full potential and has been alone for most of her life. Insecurities aside she still had the adorably annoying wit of a teenage girl.
Benedict Cumberbatch brought back Doctor Strange’s debonair and somewhat egotistical self while showing his character’s development not only as a sorcerer but as a human being. He delivered a fantastic performance that reminds us that no matter how powerful or strong we think we are, we can not fight the hands of fate, all we can do is the best that we can to fight for what’s right.
Final Thoughts On Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness is a movie I thoroughly enjoyed watching. It was a concoction of suspense, excitement, and dread. However, it’s not the film some fans may be expecting. If you were expecting more cameos than what Avengers: Endgame had to offer you will be disappointed. As long as you tame your expectations you may or may not enjoy the film.
Will you be seeing Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness? If you did so already, let us know how you rate the madness. Did you enjoy what you read? There’s more Marvel content where that came from. Follow me on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook, and subscribe as I guide you through the multiverse of Moriviews. Thank you for reading.
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