Over-hyped and flawed, but still an enjoyable romp

In terms of sheer hype and expectation, Avengers: Infinity War must be near the pinnacle of Hollywood frenzy. One of the most expensive films ever made, with an estimated budget of $316–400 million, it achieved massive pre-release ticket sales and, by 26 May, had pulled in $1.849 billion at the box office.

Bringing together various strands of the Marvel universe, it centres on the acquisition by Thanos of all the infinity stones, rendering him pretty much invincible.

Various superheroes try to stop the genocidal lunatic, but all fail.

This provides the core idea that many fans have hailed – that supposed superheroes are not that super and can end up doubting their own abilities etc. None of this is, however, new.

There are a lot of things here that work – and when they do work, they work very, very well: the banter between Tony Stark and Dr Strange and their relationship with Spider-Man offers much fun. After all, when you get Robert Downey Jnr and Benedict Cumberbatch firing off each other, it’s likely to be worth watching, while Tom Holland is very good as a the teen among them.

The Guardians of the Galaxy crew are just great – not least the part of the team (Rocket and Groot) that splits off with Thor. Honestly: I possibly need to buy this film on some format just to rewatch (and rewatch and rewatch) Chris Hemsworth’s Asgardian god repeatedly describing Rocket as a “rabbit” and later, Groot as “Tree”. This is comic genius and probably worth the admission price alone.

Josh Brolin’s Thanos is actually very good. He brings to the role a sense of a warped intelligence that has begun from a genuine concern at what causes poverty to one that allows himself the power to solve it by wiping out half the population of every planet that he visits – and then convincing himself that, as a result of his decision, everyone lives happily ever after.

Indeed, the character itself and the question that he addresses lends a philosophical element to the film that is welcome.

But unfortunately, the whole also suffered from being overlong and, by the end, rather repetitive: ‘how many times have we seen this fight?’

It also shows us how out of date Captain America is: more modern superheroes are much savvier and funnier. Steve Rogers is past his sell-by date and it shows. Interestingly, it also illustrates the yawning gulf between Marvel and DC, the latter of which continues to plough forward with a batch of dated characters, with only Wonder Woman really suggesting a sense of a really new life through comics and film.

There’s lots to like here, but it’s already a long way from being the best Marvel film released this tear: Black Panther and Deadpool 2 leave it standing.

But doesn’t this also all tell you the level of expectation that now awaits every Marvel release? And what will it be like by the release of the second part of this story, slated for 3 May next year?

The doctor may be strange, but the fun is spot on

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.