Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

 

8/10

Starring

Benedict Cumberbatch

Elizabeth Olsen

Benedict Wong

Xochitl Gomez

 

Directed by Sam Raimi

 

There is a distinctive difference in this movie compared to other MCU movies, and that difference is what I believe this movie needed to wrap the world of the MCU into the madness of the multiverse. Directed by Sam Raimi, this is his comeback to the Marvel world, as Raimi is the man behind the first trilogy of Spider-Man films with Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man. This movie needed that off-putting, not-so-intact MCU type of vibe, where the chaos of jumping through the multiverse carries weight. Raimi delivered that weight, and we felt it watching this movie as much as our Dr. Strange felt it when he used the Darkhold. The movie is an action-packed, thrilling adventure ride with some dark undertones. It is much more serious in comparison to other MCU movies, where comedy trails in now and again. Here, our villain is killing at will in mass to get what she wants.

This is the 28th movie of the MCU, and it is one of the best from where I’m sitting. The effects are amazing, the musical score is electric, and Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez is one hell of a casting choice that just fits. Strange (Cumberbatch) and Wanda (Olsen) delivered some of the best performances for these roles that they have carried for many years. The movie, like I said, is woven a little differently. It plays off the TV series WandaVision, which I believe is amazing. It sets itself in this tone: you should watch WandaVision and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) before diving in. Or read about them so you can get a firm hold of where the movie is taking off from.

In case you haven’t seen the movie, from here on are spoilers.

There is no way to write the synopsis of this movie without dropping the biggest bombshell of all: Wanda—Scarlet Witch—is the villain in this movie.

After the events of WandaVision, Wanda has gotten hold of the book Darkhold. With it, she has been able to see into the multiverse where different versions of her with her children exist. Wanda wants to be in that universe but is unable to be there in person. She discovers Chavez, who has the power to jump through the multiverse. Wanda decides to take Chavez’s powers, which will eventually kill her.

The movie starts with a version of Strange from another universe trying to protect Chavez from one of the various versions of Wanda. He fails, and Chavez winds up in our universe with a dead Strange from the universe she is coming from. Our Strange now must help Chavez but is unaware of who is chasing her. All he knows is that it’s sorcery. He goes seeking help from Wanda, and there he learns that it is Wanda who wants the girl, and he has just told her where she can find Chavez. Wanda is not ready to spare anyone and kills as many as she can, all for the sake of getting Chavez.

The movie shows the extent of Wanda’s powers and how she can be unstable when she goes rogue. The movie does have its drawbacks: the whole Strange and Christine Palmer thing was overflogged. I feel that aspect of his life should be closed for good.

I like the character development of all the main characters and look forward to seeing Strange again.