Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a satisfying and fun addition to the MCU filled with incredible performances, but it is messy when it comes to the script.
This Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Review is spoiler free. Do not worry about reading ahead.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is finally arriving this week. As one of my most anticipated films of the year, it was important to check expectations at the door. Unfortunately, leaving the film I felt excited, frustrated, disappointed, and a little empty.
Sam Raimi, for people who don’t know, is my favorite horror director of all time. I have missed him directing movies and without him, this entry would have faltered greatly. I compare this MCU entry very much so to Venom: Let there Be Carnage — it is a fast-paced fun entry in the MCU that has some great character stuff, but overall is missing the heart and soul that makes these movies so special.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Pros
This film truly contains the best directing we have seen in a while. Sam Raimi owns this movie and fully gets to bring his style and sensibilities to the MCU. Think Evil Dead more than Spider-Man (2000’s) — and that is a good thing.
The way Raimi is able to infuse his love of magic and horror is showcased in such groovy and sweeping style — even at times in a horrifying way. The gruesome and brutal moments that Sam is able to give to us, like the demonic presence that was hinted at in the trailer, are bolder and bigger than ever before. In fact, if you added just a bit of blood this would have been the R rating many were looking for.
It wasn’t needed, but it felt right out of the comic books. This is a fever pitch comic book lovers’ dream. Many comic book readers are going to eat up the visuals, the love of worlds, and especially Easter eggs found all about this film. I was shocked to see some in particular, and others had me jumping in glee for what it may mean for the future of the MCU.
In the trailers we get a taste of what some cameos might be an thankfully this movie doesn’t just fall into the camp of cameo world. I was worried this film would just have cameos to be cameos — but at least 85 percent of the cameos work. The other percentage is fun but could have been a bit better, or extended the time that they were on screen.
The reason many are excited about this movie is because it is the next chapter for our favorite Doctor. Benedict Cumberbatch continues to excel as Stephen Strange, giving his arrogance a pass, containing a piece of heart that is needed for us to really like the character. I only fall more in love with Strange and a lot of that is because of Cumberbatch.
Elizabeth Olsen point blank turns in a performance that might even be better than WandaVision. A confident but powerful one that only expands Wanda as an incredible character. Fans of her are going to LOVE what she gets to do in here. So many scenes from her are burned into my memory and I can’t wait to see them again.
As for the rest of our side cast, Xochitl Gomez brings to life America Chavez and I cant wait to see more of her. Benedict Wong is just such a light and Rachel McAdams gets a lot to do in this but I wish we had more of her — and the dynamic between her and Strange.
Technically the film has some stunning action scenes brought to life by Sam Raimi’s kinetic energy that only makes me smile throughout the entire film. One scene in particular mixes in music — and that is all I will say but many will be blown away by that scene in particular. Speaking of the music, Danny Elfman turns in one of his best scores in years.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Cons
Now, let’s dive into what made the film messy.
The first thing to mention is how a lot of the VFX doesn’t blend well. At times it feels like you are completely in another world, but at others like the actors are in front of a green screen. Nothing totally takes away from the film, but it’s something to mention.
With most MCU films I have found a rhythm for the soul and heart of these characters, and in most comics that these films are based on you can find this too. But in the big multiverse stuff from the comics, it always seems frantic and fast-paced, even a bit too much at times. Lacking a heart and soul to a story that might be needing more of it is never a good thing, and sadly that is what the issue is with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
The movie clocks in at 2 hours and 6 minutes which is too fast-paced for its own good. A comic book movie that I can equivocate it to is Venom: Let There be Carnage. It is fun, action-packed, and super fast, but lacks any emotion or depth to what is going on. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness features emotion with Wanda and America, Strange, and Palmer — but the latter three are so far and few between.
The heart and soul lie within these characters but a couple of extra scenes diving into their dynamic and what their thoughts are would have really meant a lot to audiences. The meat of their emotion is there and when it is it’s great, but that is where the script comes in and feels messy. It is hard to tell if it is the script itself, or the editing behind the scenes. It almost feels like whole elements of the film are missing.
Without getting into spoilers — there are two end credit scenes — a fun one and an important one. The fun end credit scene made me laugh but the important one felt about as rushed as Morbius’ scenes did — and that is saying something. It is a cool scene though, and does some important setup, but it could have been so much better.
Overall Thoughts
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a satisfying and fun action film, but a messy one. Featuring fantastic performances from everyone involved, specifically Elizabeth Olsen, they make it worth seeing. Sam Raimi, who will hopefully return for the next Doctor Strange movie, brings his horror, strange, and gruesome vibe which added a layer that we haven’t seen in the MCU before.
This movie has some of the best directing in the MCU yet, as it showcases what a great director can do with a weak script. If this script was incredible, the movie would have been nearly perfect, because the action scenes are exciting and the scary moments actually bring tension. Speaking of the scary moments, they are some of the best moments in the entire MCU so far.
All of this makes me excited for the future of horror in this world, but that excitement only goes so far. I wanted to love this movie, but ended up just liking it.
Grade: B
NEXT: Elizabeth Olsen Says She Will Always Defend Wanda Maximoff
About Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
In Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” the MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. Journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending anddangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysteriousnew adversary.
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, with Michael Stühlbarg, and Rachel McAdams.
The film is directed by Sam Raimi, and Kevin Feige is the producer. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Eric Hauserman Carroll and Jamie Christopher serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Michael Waldron.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters May 6th!
