Reviews by Teens

Reviewed by Sohinee

*Spoiler ahead* (If you haven’t watched Doctor Strange why are reading this review?) All aboard the Marvel Cinematic Universe train, because there is no stopping it. The MCU released its 14th superhero movie on November 4. The movie starred Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams and Mads Mikleson just to name a few.

This is the first time Doctor Strange came to the big screen and the director and cast blew it away! Benedict Cumberbatch played the egotistical, anti-social, Tony Stark persona, Doctor Stephen Strange, a brilliant neurosurgeon who loses his hands because of a car accident. Strange spends the last dregs of his money to buy a one-way ticket to Kathmandu, Nepal, where an alleged healer, healed a paraplegic man. There Strange meets the Ancient One and dives into the world of magic and mystics.

Benedict Cumberbatch played Strange amazingly. He brought out the pain, the loss, anger and frustration in the character that was so gritty it was hard to watch. Swinton, who played the Ancient One, played her with grace and poise but left an air of mystery around the character that made us question and think about the character’s intentions. The rest of the supporting cast did greatly in their respective roles. However, it’s Mordo, played by Ejiofor had the most character development, he went from a loyal soldier type character to the Ancient One, to losing his faith in her and even went on to eliminating a sorcerer because quote in his words ‘there were too many sorcerers in this world’, which is a shout out to Mordo becoming evil in the comics.

The movie itself could’ve not been better. As an origin story it was the best story to bring to life. Now all the DC fanboys may go ‘Kaecillius wasn’t even a good villain’ to you guys I say, he wasn’t meant to be the villain. Kaecillius, portrayed by Mikleson was a man out for power, a man seeking vengeance against the woman who lied to him. He turned to darkness, which Dormammu. Speaking of Dormammu, Strange’s battle with him is probably one of the best showdowns ever. He showed what a real showdown would look like in a fictional world. Strange is an intellectual and of course it seems fit his uses his brain to problem solve rather than his powers. Because when the dust settles, all he would have left his intellect. So, figuring out how to loop time and reliving his death over and over again, to stop Dormammu from consuming the Earth by attempting to bargain with him, is one of the biggest sacrifices a superhero has ever made to save his world.

The visuals in this movie was incredible and if you get a chance then watch in 3D. The movie had hilarious bits of comedy that was unexpected. And the score was gorgeous. Before I finish my rant of course I have to talk about the famous Marvel end-credits scenes, there were two in this movie. One of them being, a conversation between Thor and Doctor Strange, with Thor asking Strange’s help into finding Odin, his father. This scene clearly being a Segway to Thor: Ragnarok. The last scene being Mordo stealing powers from the paraplegic who healed his body with magic to decrease the world of one more sorcerer, this scene may lead to the plot of a Doctor Strange sequel if there is to be one but it leaves enough suspicion and anticipation of wanting more. Doctor Strange is one of the grittiest and fantastic Marvel movies ever made and is a must see. There are plenty of tidbits and juicy parts I left out because I don’t want to give away the whole story to a wondering eye but GO SEE IT. And if you think otherwise, in the wise words of Doctor Stephen Strange I tell you: “Try me Beyoncé.”