The New Review - Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness

Copyright by Marvel/Disney

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Directed by Sam Raimi

Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, and Xochitl Gomez

Note: I am changing how this movie should be addressed... given the noir horror nature of this movie, it is now "The Multiverse of Madness" Doctor Strange is just starring in it. It isn't his movie. It is the Multiverse's movie.

Concept: MCU Sequel for Doctor Strange... and Spider-Man: No Way Home... and WandaVision. Strange is going to travel to the Multiverse

Execution

Here we go...

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch should've been the only choice when they first casted for Strange, and in this film, he plays MULTIPLE distinct versions that are just him showing off how good he is. Benedict Wong was perfect... again(Wait... did I just realize that they casted a Benedict for Wong... and his last name really is Wong?!?... woah). Elizabeth Olsen shows off that creepiness we got a glimpse of in Age of Ultron, and dialed it up to 13... they leaned HARD into her being a villain. Xochitl Gomez did a wonderful job as the MCU newcomer, looking forward to seeing what more she brings to the table. And nice seeing Rachel McAdams have more involvement in this movie compared to the original. Score: 20/20

Presentation: The MCU meets Sam Raimi horror, topped with some Danny Elfman movie soundtrack magic. It is HEAVY CG, but it needed to be. Difficult to do most of that with practical effects... but to Raimi's credit, he packed some really great practical effects, that he is know for, in this movie. And for movie to be the scale of this movie, it never once feels overwhelming. Some CG moments did look a bit choppy. But... no fault to Raimi or FX crew... there would be no way to have done it more smoothly. Score: 20/20

Chronicle: So... how do you make a sequel to one of the most visual impression MCU movies? And make it a sequel to a trilogy of a different franchise? While making it a bridge to other franchises? And referencing pieces of your television franchises? AND setting up the future of the MCU? Well... with this movie. Sam Raimi weaved together SO MUCH going on in the MCU(past, present, future), but it never felt like that was all going on. It felt like... a Doctor Strange Sequel. Which is what it was supposed to be. A love story, a tragedy, and a horror film all wrapped up in a neat, magic filled package. And I need to highlight that. This did NOT feel like an MCU movie to me. It felt like a Sam Raimi horror film... but doesn't at the same time. It filled a mold... but breaks the mold... without having a mold in the first place. It is... unique. And... with this being the 28TH MCU film, that is one of the best compliments I could give one of these.

All of this praise because Sam Raimi pulled off a PG-13 MCU Horror Film. Someone finally did it. It pulled off what VENOM was supposed to, but failed to deliver on. A PG-13 Superhero Horror Film. Score: 32/30

Impact: As I just said, it is unique. A mold maker... a mold breaker. And that leads me to believe that some other directors should look at as a lesson. Cookie cutter works for a share universe project, but Unique makes you stand out. And this movie stands out. And with Sam Raimi already signed up for Dr. Strange 3, you bet we will all be watching as he does it again. Score: 20/20

Extra Oomph: Spoiler Section here. But... it has to happen. The Illuminati cameos. Woah. John Krasinski as Reed Richards better not be a one off. We got a glimpse, we need more. Hayley Atwell as Captain Carter, that was good for my health. The use of Maria Rambeau as Captain Marvel was slick. Anson Mount IN the Black Bolt suit and fully utilizing his powers was a pay off I've wanted since they screwed up the TV series(and I caught that sign language). And... having Charles Xavier coming in with the COMICS LOOK with the Green Suit, Floating Chair, AND the X-Men '97 theme!!!! Wow. I could say how it might be a wasted scene... but it did EXACTLY what it needed to do. Created a crossroads of Comic book movie past, present, future, what if, and what we never thought we would get... without it taking ANYTHING away from the story, and without it taking a large chunk of the run time. Would I have wanted more time with these characters? Sure. But... we had character introduction, slight development, a backstory, and in the moment purpose... and still a fraction of the run time. Wow. And... not even my favorite scenes in the MOVIE!?! Score: 13/10

FINAL SCORE: 105/100

FINAL GRADE: S-Tier!!!

Conclusion: I know Sam Raimi's work. I know how good he is. I also know what can happen when the studio interferes. So I had high expectations for Sam Raimi's return to superhero movies... high hopes that Disney/Marvel/Feige would just let Raimi be Raimi. And... it surpassed my expectations. Vibrant... and dark. Hopeful... and depressing. Magical... and horrifying. Just... Wow.

It's all a matter of opinion: I cannot stress enough that THIS is MY opinion, you can either agree with me or not. I don't have to justify my opinion, because *clears throat* that's what this blog is about. Whether I like it or not doesn't mean you have to or not...... I'ts just my justification behind MY recommendation... Which leads me to my FINAL JUDGMENT...

FINAL JUDGMENT: GIVE THEM YOUR MONEY!!! SAM RAIMI NEEDS THE SUPPORT!!! Go see this movie. As soon as humanly possible. You all need to see this movie. SEE THIS MOVIE!!!! Have I mentioned that you should see this movie!?! Because if not, you should totally see this movie!!!

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Well, there you have it folks... Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness has gotten...... a 105!!!

An S-Tier movie... it deserves the extra credit for the extra praise.

Extra note from me. Going into 2022, my most anticipated film for the year was The Batman. And while The Batman is one of the GREATEST DC movies I've seen... it no longer has the spot for my favorite movie of the year. And I'm saying this now, Thor: Love and Thunder won't be capable. I know... we have over 6 months left, but I might need to lock this in as my "Good" for 2022.

Extra extra note from me. All of that time making Wanda out to be the strongest superhero in the MCU... looked like it was a great lead into making her one of the strongest VILLAINS instead.

Sam Raimi. Welcome back to Superhero movies!!!

Also... thank you Sam Raimi for the 2 for 1 Bruce Campbell Cameo!!!

Thank you reading...

Until next time...

Don't forget...

The New Review - Spider-Man: No Way Home

Rights belong to Sony and Marvel

Spider-Man: No Way Home

Directed by Jon Watts

Starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Benedict Cumberbatch

Concept: Jon Watts is the first to complete an MCU Trilogy with this 3rd MCU Spider-Man movie. Set directly after the event of Far From Home, Peter needs to navigate the aftermath... while making a stupid decision that brings villains from past franchises to the MCU.

Execution

Here we go...

Cast: As I said, Tom Holland is back, Zendaya is back, Jacob Batalon is back... and Benedict Cumberbatch is along for the ride. And they each has significant character growth here. But we also get Willem DaFoe, Alfred Molina, Jamie Foxx, Thomas Haden Church, and Rhys Ifans back(with their respecting villains)... and it doesn't seen to be overwhelming. It is extremely balanced... and I don't get how. Worries me that I missed something, but I didn't. Packed tight, yet very balanced. Score: 20/20

Presentation: I've said this before: it is a Marvel movie. Great soundtrack mixed with stunning visuals. But... this movie had some scenes that had WAY too much going on, but you can still see all of particle effects and it looks beautiful. For me, it is most visually impressive MCM movie, above and beyond the typical Marvel/Disney movie. Score: 21/20

Chronicle: So, I'm going to compare it to Raimi's Spider-Man 3. I had an issue with Spider-Man 3. There were at least 3 MAIN plots going at once, and the movie couldn't focus. No Way Home has MUCH MORE GOING ON, yet they found a way to make it focus on ONE main plot, AND balance all of these villains. I told Bob(yes... that Bob) that it felt balanced. And that is one of the best compliments I could ever give a movie with all that they packed in. But not all is sunshine and roses. There is a plothole that carries with you... one the movie addresses, but never explains why it happens. And... not a spoiler, it's in the trailers. Supposedly, these villains came over due to the botched spell... and they are villains that knew Peter Parker is Spider-Man.....  except one of them didn't know: Electro. He never knew. So why was he there? The movie addresses that he didn't know, but it forgets to figure out why he was there if he didn't know. It is a glaring plothole, but Jamie Foxx is SO good, I can't dock too many points. But... it can't be ignored. Score: 25/30

Impact: Without spoiling the movie, it is definitive within the grand scheme of the MCM... AND for a Spider-Man movie. Reports of a SECOND MCM Spidey Trilogy, this movie ends one ENORMOUS arc, but sets up Spidey as we know him... Solitary and somber. Also... the 3rd largest opening weekend of all time, it is promising for the theater industry. You can't really argue with success... and considering how many chances we have had since the Covid pandemic, the theaters need a win. If you completely ignore the movie itself, the success it has so far...... it is VERY important. Score: 20/20

Extra Oomph: I highlighted this already, but I must touch on it again. The balance. But the balance goes much further than that. It balances how much Strange is involved, how the villains were used, the personal crisis that Peter Parker is having through the movie, the terrible choices he had to make, and balancing him stuck to Iron Man's legacy to him setting out on his own... and it didn't drop a single plate(the Electro thing is like dropping a glass). I went in and expected something HUGE to not fit in, and everything just be a mess(again, like Spidey 3), but it subverted my expectations. And what we got was beauty that was both cohesive and chaotic...... beautiful controlled chaos. Score: 10/10

Final Score: 96/100

FINAL GRADE: A!

Conclusion: I can forgive them for the plothole, because the story balanced how exciting the situation was with how depressing it was going to be. Many characters... but none of them felt like they weren't important to the story overall. Massively cohesive.

It's all a matter of opinion: I cannot stress enough that THIS is MY opinion, you can either agree with me or not. I don't have to justify my opinion, because *clears throat* that's what this blog is about. Whether I like it or not doesn't mean you have to or not...... I'ts just my justification behind MY recommendation... Which leads me to my FINAL JUDGMENT...

FINAL JUDGMENT: No Way Home is my favorite Spider-Man movie so far... and it is easily the best of this MCM Trilogy. If you haven't seen it, I recommend it. Not just recommend it once... watch it twice. And don't just do it for me... do it to help your local theater. But... yeah... do it because it IS an epic movie.

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There you go, readers... Spider-Man: No Way Home has gotten a 96! That is pretty damn good.

What did you all think about it? What could they have done better? What do you hope for the next Trilogy? Comment... share...

Until next time, don't forget...