The Knockturnal recently got to watch a 20-minute preview of Marvel’s upcoming Doctor Strange movie.
The newest entry in the MCU follows Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), a gifted surgeon turned sorcerer. The preview didn’t cover the entire plot, or spoil too many details. However, we got a good glimpse into Doctor Strange’s writing style & visuals from the full feature.
As far as plot goes, Doctor Strange seems to follow the standard Marvel format. Stephen Strange is an arrogant, billionaire genius, who only learns humility through a life-shattering aspect. If that sounds a lot like Iron Man, it’s because that seems to be Doctor Strange’s blueprint. Strange is just as quippy, cocky, and suave as Tony Stark, identical down to the sculpted goatee. Cumberbatch even adopts an American accent for the role (which is startling, to say the least). The film appears to have a well-written plot & dialogue, but it does feel unfortunately familiar.
The most delightful feature of Doctor Strange is the visuals. The preview was presented in IMAX 3-D, and with an expanded aspect ratio. Doctor Strange’s keystone is its magic, and the attention to it shines through. Although the plot seems typical, the effects regarding the film’s sorcery is something entirely new & exiting for Marvel. Certainly, the visuals play into the Inception comparisons, but only to a degree. The majority of the magic appears to be drawn from the colorful imagery of the comic books. It’s not crazy to think Doctor Strange may win an Oscar, or at least get nominated. After all, Guardians of the Galaxy was nominated for both Visual Effects & Makeup in 2015. Whether the entire film contains such rich imagery is hard to say, but the preview definitely inspires confidence.
Overall, the film looks to be a unique and compelling entry in the MCU. Doctor Strange may be trying too hard to fit in, considering its seemingly formulaic writing style. However, by embracing the majesty of such intricate magic, the film sets itself apart. There are plenty of fun Easter eggs within the footage as well – no spoilers, but there’s one or two cameos that fans can look forward to. Doctor Strange may not be the most innovative Marvel entry, but it does appear to be a beautiful piece of cinema.
‘DOCTOR STRANGE’ COMES TO THEATERS NOVEMBER 4TH.