The world
might seem to be going to hell in a handcart, but the big screen entertainment
just keeps on delivering.
Having not
been inside a cinema for 16 years until July last year, the first 10 months of
2016 have already seen me make 10 visits – and given what’s on offer between
now and the turn of the year, there are more to come.
Last night
saw the 3D glasses make another appearance – this time for Dr Strange – another
piece of superhero escapism from Marvel.
Dr Stephen
Strange is a brilliant, pioneering neurosurgeon. Unfortunately, his ego and arrogance
are on a similar scale, and when these traits help bring about a massive car
crash that cripples his hands, he descends into a self-pitying, destructive
mess.
Eventually,
having heard of a man who made an apparently miraculous recovery from massive
injuries, he heads out to Nepal, to search for a secret place called Kamar-Taj.
But all is
not what he expects and, meeting the Ancient One, he finds all his beliefs
about the nature of the world and life challenged, before finding himself in
the unexpected position of having choose what path to take, with huge
rammifications for the whole world.
We might
have seen such a plot more than once – Ironman, anyone? – but this has been
done with great aplomb and in very entertaining manner.
As with
the decision to cast a major actor like Robert Downey J as Tony Stark, this
benefits hugely from the casting of Benedict Cumberbatch as the eponymous
doctor.
The wry
humour that he brings to the role helps give the character roundness – and the
same is very much true of his performance during Strange’s deepest levels of
despair. Add to this that he can bring great charm to the screen even when he’s
playing arrogant alpha male.
Tilda
Swinton is the Ancient One – casting that caused controversy, since the
character was originally a Tibetan man. But she’s the sort of actor who revels
in being mysterious and ‘different’ and that’s perfect here.
Mads
Mikkelsen turns in a strong performance as villain of the piece, Kaecilius –
and manages to look slightly like a demented Vladimir Putin on occasion, a
reminder (deliberate or not) of the of the global sabre rattling we find
ourselves witnessing.
Chiwetel
Ejiofor makes a good Karl Mordo – an upright master who acts as a balance to
the flexible Strange.
Benedict
Wong as another master, the librarian Wong, forms a fun relationship with
Strange. The actors bounce off each other nicely.
And Rachel
McAdams as a former medical colleague – and lover – of Strange also turns in a
gutsy, rounded performance.
We’ll pass
over the Stan Lee cameo – and move onto Scott Derrickson’s direction.
After
opening with an action sequence that introduces the Ancient One and Kaecilius,
the plot turns to creating the character of Strange. But Derrickson never let’s
you feel as though as though it’s flagging and makes it feel that we’re getting
some meat and not just fluff.
The
special effects are stunning – and the 3D really does add to the overall experience.
The spells
and the different planes of existence both benefit from a sense of almost being
like gossamer, while the warping of the physical world is simply incredible – it
can make you feel as though you’re nearing motion sickness!
The whole
has a sumptuous, glossy look and has been set up easily for further outings.
Dr Strange
is quite simply enormous fun. If you want to be entertained, catch it soon.
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