"Mister Doctor." "It's Strange." "Maybe, who am I to judge." One line: imagine if Marvel did Inception. Benedict Cumberbatch. Tilda Swinton. The bad guy from Casino Royale. That guy from Love Actually and 12 Years a Slave. Rachel McAdams. Like all Marvel films, we are treated to a star-studied cast. But also like most Marvel films, it follows an almost exactly the same plot line. Dr. Steven Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), a well-respected surgeon, goes to seek help following a car accident which leave his hands weak. However, they give him powers beyond his wildest dreams, even if it means going to battle.
I must admit, I've gone a bit off Marvel films. I much prefer their Netflix series' like Jessica Jones and Daredevil. Grittier, darker and a sense of realism, which is weird for something involving the superhuman. Once you have seen one Marvel film, you can have a pretty good guess at them all. Superhuman/alien/Demi-god/human is soon to become superhuman, with human love interest must face adversity to take on previously unknown super villain, hell bent on causing chaos on earth. I'm afraid to say, this story is pretty much the same. Benedict Cumberbatch is who drew me to the film. I enjoy him in almost anything he's done. Even his American accent was entirely distracting in this. He saves this film for me. Tilda Swinton was good, the others were all alright, nothing special. But Cumberbatch really keeps you interested. You real feel for Steven. The pain at not being able to do the job he had trained all his life for. You are willing him on when it comes to learn how to gain and use his powers. It's an enjoyable film. Enough to keep me only flicking to my phone every now and then through the story. But is it enough to make me watch all the Marvel films I have missed so far and watch those that are still to come? I can't say it does. For now, I'll stick to jumping in and out to the one that really seem like they'll keep me going for two hours.
3/5.
Check out the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSzx-zryEgM