DOCTOR STRANGE
The same week Hugh Jackman brandishes his claws one last time as Wolverine in Logan, Marvel Studios drops Doctor Strange on home video. Benedict Cumberbatch joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe after an unsuccessful outing as Khan in Star Trek Into Darkness. The change of scenery is good. The talented British thespian has a tendency to make acting look easy, so it is befitting to see him play a character where he is at first limited in what he can accomplish.
When a nasty car accident strips Stephen Strange of his surgical gifts and sets him on a path of self-destruction, he finds purpose and redemption when he travels to Tibet. He also discovers a power greater than that of handling a scalpel or medical instrument. A narcissist much like Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark, it will be interesting to see how the new Dr. Strange handles himself in shared company with Iron Man down the road. The film gives us a little tease with him and Thor and I suspect that Cumberbatch will have a key moment in the forthcoming Thor: Ragnarok
Scott Derickson, who had previously done such films as The Exorcism of Emily Rose and Sinister, joins the MCU directing brigade and does an admirable job with a bountiful of riches. Namely, Cumberbatch and supporting cast that includes Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mads Mikkelsen. The biggest drawback is the ease and amount of time it takes Strange to turn full “jedi” by unlocking the magical powers that help bend time and space. This quibble, and the familiarity when it comes to origin stories, aside, and Doctor Strange is another fine addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Getting several home video releases as exclusive packaging at brick-and-mortar stores Target and Best Buy, Doctor Strange will please those wanting to know more about the supporting characters, costumes and production design, and fight choreography. Beyond these featurettes, we get a discussion from the amazing composer Michael Giacchino and what he brought to the film; an exclusive seven-minute look at what lies in store for MCU’s Phase 3 films; five deleted scenes; a gag reel, and more.
