The 'Not-So-Critical' Critic: DOCTOR STRANGE

The 'Not-So-Critical' Critic: 

on DOCTOR STRANGE (2016, 115 minutes, PG-13)

 

The Quick of It -

Marvel has such a large library now of feature films, it’s becoming more difficult to keep ranking them as new ones are released.  I will say DOCTOR STRANGE sits well above most, but probably will still receive some dismissals from those people and critics not so open-minded.

This story is about a neurosurgeon who gets into a car accident and shatters his skillful hands.  He starts down a path that leads to a world that highly regards the mystical arts and offers a possible means to recover from these career-ending injuries.  Director Scott Derrickson (of SINISTER, THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE, and DELIVER US FROM EVIL) heads up this project and does a fantastic job.  The journey to complete this film was in itself a route towards spiritual ascendancy, when looking back at how long this was in the making.  The idea of a DOCTOR STRANGE movie shifted a number of times since 1986 between studios, writers, and directors before this project was the one to see the light of day. 

I believe this is an example of how times have changed in filmmaking.  Before this amazing CGI era, science fiction and fantasy films suffered greatly.  Those fringe audience members could almost appreciate a good Stan Winston or Industrial Light & Magic supported film, but still may not buy into the hype.  And those who scoffed at any overly-imaginative film would not even take the time.  Now, people quickly allow themselves to be swallowed up into the illusion and give more leeway when it comes to these types of projects.  For the bottom line, studios knew this and were not willing to risk backing a possible money pit. 

DOCTOR STRANGE was one of those films hung up in the development stage for the longest time… until now.  The level of CGI development to make this work must have been astounding, and the detail that went into making ‘magic’ a visual experience was a feat in itself.  Even with the required leap of faith, the success here was due to the fundamentals of magic being grounded in far eastern philosophies, and something most audience members have some familiarity.  If they played it too loose, once you break beyond that comfort zone, you start to lose people.

The last major delay was the studio and shot-callers trying to find the right actor for Strange, which probably was a ploy so they could fit the production time into Benedict Cumberbatch’s schedule.  This was the best decision they made in a long line of good decisions.  Even though there were other possible choices, he IS the ONLY choice.  The rest of the cast was such a strong one.  You have Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 YEARS A SLAVE, SERENITY), Tilda Swinton (WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN, ADAPTATION), Benedict Wong (PROMETHEUS, ‘Marco Polo’), Mads Mikkelsen (CASINO ROYALE, ‘Hannibal’), and Rachel McAdams (SHERLOCK HOLMES, SPOTLIGHT, SOUTHPAW).  With this much dramatic blood coursing through the film’s veins, the possible issues with ‘magic realism’ was never a danger.  This was a lesson learned by Derrickson when working on horror films… and it pays off.

DOCTOR STRANGE is a perfect example of how times have changed for the film industry.  Risky projects are now a part of the mainstream and studios don’t shy away those large budgets.  Audiences are willing to head to the theaters and a saturated superhero genre can still have box office hits.  This is a wonderful time to be alive.

Grade: B+