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Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness follows the titular character (Benedict Cumberbatch) as he tries to protect America (Xochitl Gomez), a teenager that can travel through the multiverse, from Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen). To do so, he must travel through the multiverse himself where he'll meet some expected (and not so expected) allies and enemies.
I've always said that, with some exceptions, the MCU has perfected the technique of maintaining a relatively high floor/low ceiling regarding their film output. This means that *most* of their films are OK-ish fun, with few of them (if any) being terrible and/or excellent. From a business perspective is quite impressive for a franchise to maintain such a consistency for 20+ years with no stumbles.
Unfortunately, the stumbles post-Endgame just keep coming. From a momentum-halting pandemic and an overall lukewarm reception to new films to the whole scandal surrounding their rising star Jonathan Majors, the hits just keep coming. This film is the exemplification of what I said before in that it contributes little to elevate (or sink) the franchise. It's perfectly fine entertainment, but at the end of the day, it's just there; existing mostly to move pieces across a board in preparation for the next film on the queue.
But to go back to what I just said, the film is fine entertainment. The action is there, the fun quips and the banter, and some neat moments of thrills and "gore". Although it doesn't really go over board, you can tell Sam Raimi directed it in how the film leans towards his "horror" sensibilities. Whether it is Strange plucking the gigantic eye from an alien creature to him mentally controlling a Zombie version of himself to save the day.
The performances are all good, especially Chavez who has a pretty lively spark to her. Most notably, Olsen gets the chance to test her range a bit as her previously heroic character becomes the villain here. Performance-wise, I think she delivered, but from a narrative standpoint, I think this break in her character needed a bit more time to breathe. Again, it felt rushed and just as a means to move pieces across a board.
I admit I've consumed a gigantic amount of what the MCU has offered since Phase I, so I don't think they've fully lost their way, but they have to be careful with these stumbles. To reiterate something I've said twice already, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is fine entertainment. It's far from being terrible, but far from being excellent as well. It's just there, delivering what you would expect for 2 hours, only to be lost afterwards.
Grade:
DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS
(2022, Raimi)
(2022, Raimi)
"Just because someone stumbles and loses their way doesn't mean they're lost forever."
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness follows the titular character (Benedict Cumberbatch) as he tries to protect America (Xochitl Gomez), a teenager that can travel through the multiverse, from Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen). To do so, he must travel through the multiverse himself where he'll meet some expected (and not so expected) allies and enemies.
I've always said that, with some exceptions, the MCU has perfected the technique of maintaining a relatively high floor/low ceiling regarding their film output. This means that *most* of their films are OK-ish fun, with few of them (if any) being terrible and/or excellent. From a business perspective is quite impressive for a franchise to maintain such a consistency for 20+ years with no stumbles.
Unfortunately, the stumbles post-Endgame just keep coming. From a momentum-halting pandemic and an overall lukewarm reception to new films to the whole scandal surrounding their rising star Jonathan Majors, the hits just keep coming. This film is the exemplification of what I said before in that it contributes little to elevate (or sink) the franchise. It's perfectly fine entertainment, but at the end of the day, it's just there; existing mostly to move pieces across a board in preparation for the next film on the queue.
But to go back to what I just said, the film is fine entertainment. The action is there, the fun quips and the banter, and some neat moments of thrills and "gore". Although it doesn't really go over board, you can tell Sam Raimi directed it in how the film leans towards his "horror" sensibilities. Whether it is Strange plucking the gigantic eye from an alien creature to him mentally controlling a Zombie version of himself to save the day.
The performances are all good, especially Chavez who has a pretty lively spark to her. Most notably, Olsen gets the chance to test her range a bit as her previously heroic character becomes the villain here. Performance-wise, I think she delivered, but from a narrative standpoint, I think this break in her character needed a bit more time to breathe. Again, it felt rushed and just as a means to move pieces across a board.
I admit I've consumed a gigantic amount of what the MCU has offered since Phase I, so I don't think they've fully lost their way, but they have to be careful with these stumbles. To reiterate something I've said twice already, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is fine entertainment. It's far from being terrible, but far from being excellent as well. It's just there, delivering what you would expect for 2 hours, only to be lost afterwards.
Grade: