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 in comparison to other MCU movies, that difference is what I believe this movie needed to wrap the world of the MCU to the madness of 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, that not so intact MCU type of movies, where the chaos of jumping through the multiverse carries a 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, thrilling adventure ride with some dark undertones. It is much serious in comparison to other MCU movies where the comedy trails in now and again. Here our villain is killing at will in mass to get what she wants.

This is the 28^th movie of the MCU and it is one of the best from where I am sitting. The effects are amazing, the musical score is electric, and Xochiti Gomez as America Chavez is one hell of a casting that just fits. Strange (Cumberbatch) and Wanda (Olsen) delivered one of the best performances for these roles which they have carried for many years. The movie like I said is woven a little different, it plays of 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 it so you can get a firm hold of where the movie is taking off from.

In case you have not 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 – Scarlett Witch is the villain in this movie.

After the incident 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 in person. She discovers Chavez, who has the power to be able to jump through the multiverse. Wanda decides to take Chavez 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 concoctions of Wanda. He fails and Chavez wounds 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 is sorcery. He goes seeking help from Wanda and there he learns that it is Wanda that wants the girl, and he has just told her where she can find Chavez. Wanda is not ready to spare anyone and killed as many as she could 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 so over flogged. 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.