Doctor Strange Sequel Is Mad, Sometimes Messy, Fun

In the past 20 years, Sam Raimi has become a modern-day legend, perfecting horror by melding it with slapstick as well as comic book sensibilities. And in his long-awaited return to “cape” cinema, he shows the MCU fandom exactly why his Spider-Man films are considered by many to be the best in that filmography, with a return to form in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.

Taking place not too long after the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, the sequel to 2016’s Doctor Strange introduces us to America Chavez, who is seeking out Strange to protect her from dark forces who seek to steal her power to freely traverse the multiverse.

This is a spoiler-free review, so don’t expect any in-depth information about the cast or the overall narrative.

Visual effects are a mixed bag. When they work you get the demonic entity Shuma-Gorath (sorry, Gargantos, because Marvel Comics used the name Shuma-Gorath without permission), when it doesn’t you get horrendously fake looking CGI humans. But Raimi’s talent for practical effects can’t be overstated, it harkens back to Army of Darkness (my favorite Evil Dead film). And there are a few Evil Dead easter eggs here, which helps to keep the MCU fanservice from feeling bloated.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Benedict Wong have great chemistry here, giving off big buddy comedy energy. Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez is excellent as both a comedic and dramatic performer. As someone who groans at excessive snarkiness, in spite of my own tendency to resort to sarcasm, I appreciated it.

Rachel McAdams, who had a much more substantial role in this movie, brings significant gravitas to the role of Christine.  Chiwetel Ejiofor was brilliant as Mordo. He’s managed to make the character into the scumbag that long-time comic readers know and hate.

Last but not least, Elizabeth Olsen gives her best performance as Wanda/The Scarlet Witch. And her arc is very reflective of a number of her most prominent storylines.

Danny Elfman has created one of the MCU’s most memorable scores, and it reaches a fever pitch during my favorite fight in the movie which takes place at the end of the second act.

And the fight choreography gets a massive chef’s kiss, whether it’s hand to hand or supernatural.

Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness is very close to perfection, and there is so much that this movie gets right that comic fans and MCU lovers will have a blast. And it is my pleasure to give Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness (Marvel Studios, PG-13, 2hrs 6mins) a 9 out of 10.