Marvel’s Doctor Strange opened in U.S. theaters this past weekend, and brought in a lot of money – $85 million to be exact. On estimated budget of $165 million, the film has brought in $325,389,000 worldwide.
But is it good?
“Doctor Strange’s” opening trumps those of “Thor” ($65.7 million), “Captain America: The First Avenger” ($65 million), and “Ant-Man” ($57.2 million). That’s impressive given that Captain America and Thor are better known figures. Still the good doctor couldn’t quite reach the stratospheric heights of “Iron Man” ($98.6 million), “Captain America: Civil War” ($179.1 million), or “Marvel’s The Avengers” ($207.4 million). Those films benefited from having Robert Downey Jr. or featured superhero team-ups. “Doctor Strange” wasn’t cheap to make. Disney and Marvel spent $165 million to give the Sorcerer Supreme the celluloid treatment.
Dr. Stephen Strange’s (Benedict Cumberbatch) life changes after a car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he looks for healing, and hope, in a mysterious enclave. He quickly learns that the enclave is at the front line of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying reality. Before long, Strange is forced to choose between his life of fortune and status or leave it all behind to defend the world as the most powerful sorcerer in existence.
We will talk about Doctor Strange this week on Zach on Film, and we would love to include some of your comments. Did you see the movie? Did you like it? Love it? Hate it? Use the comment section below to share your thoughts on Doctor Strange.
5 Comments
I saw Doctor Strange yesterday.
TL;DR: Decent movie. Great effects. See it in 3D. 7.5 stars.
I traveled a little out of my way to see it “Ultra AVX 3D” (this uses 4K projectors)
I was really pleased with the movie. I feel that the 3D effects really served the movie.
I feel Benidict Cumberbatch gives a solid performance as the “egotistical medical god laid low, finding a new and greater destiny on his path to redemption”. I give him a 7.5/10
I feel that the supporting cast was very good. In some ways, they outshone their lead in some of the scenes. Chiwetel Ejiofor and Tilda Swinton were awesome in their roles. Benedict Wong had a small role, but acted the heck out of it. Mads Mikkelsen gave a really great performance to a (sadly) 2-dimensional role. I wish Rachel McAams was given a larger opportunity to shine. Overall, I give the supporting cast an 8/10
As for the movie itself, I felt it was a good thrill ride that hit all the major plot points needed for a Doctor Strange movie.
The plot did enough to place Doctor Strange in the fabric of the greater Marvel Universe and to give him a plausible reason to participate in the upcoming Infinity War. I give the plot a 7/10
The special effects were awesome and I enjoyed the film’s score and soundtrack. 10/10 in that respect.
I always feel that injecting humour and levity into these movies can be a little jarring. Overall, I give the humour factor a 6/10
The obligatory Stan Lee appearance gets an 8/10 due to the book he’s reading.
All in all, I think this movie was good and fun. It’s definitely not “Great”, but it’s well worth the cost of entry. I think this is a rare movie that actually warrants the extra 3D expense.
(If Tilda Swinton’s casting is a conversation topic: If the Ancient One couldn’t be a Tibetan male due to Chinese marketing concerns, then does it matter who they use for the role? It’s all some flavour of ‘washing at that point.)
I also went and saw it Friday in “real” 3D and would recommend that people see it this way. It made the overall experience better. I would probably give the movie 8.5/10 overall as it has an excellent cast, excellent music and special effect, but also does a great job of showing a perfectly executed origin story but also introducing near flawlessly a new aspect to the MCU during said story and beyond. It is unique in comparison to all recent super hero movies and so satisfies in a way the others couldn’t and I think is a must see for fans of the Genre and enjoyable view for those who aren’t.
Saw it in IMAX 3D. Special effects and original score were probably my favorite thus far of any MCU movie.
The only thing that bothered me about Doctor Strange was the attempted to inject humor in scenes that probably aren’t necessary and detract from a scenes tone.
The thing that was most guilty of this was his cape. Without spoiling too much, there was one particular gesture towards the end of the second act that the cape makes that felt out of place. Albeit, the case can be made that a scene not 20 prior to the afore mentioned scene serves as an example of where Marvel gets the action/humor mix right.
All in all, I thought it was a solid 8.5/10 flick and would recommend the IMAX 3D viewing for the spectacle alone.
Definitely watch it in 3D if you can. I normally do not enjoy 3D in movies but this was an exception. The effects and scenery work extremely well in 3D.
I have to say that what Marvel is pulling off is magical. I am a huge DC Fanboy and to think that Dr Strange > Batman/Superman blows my mind (DR Strange!).
I’m glad I am able to experience what’s happening now with superhero movies.
I enjoyed it but had two complaints.
1. The time issue, the director has officially said it does start in 2016, we see an award marked 2016 when he selects a watch prior to the car accident, and that the training indeed takes only months as opposed to years. I would have much preferred they started a decade ago and jumped to the present.
2. I would have preferred to see some “ranged magic” as seen in the comics. I think what they did was neat but very limited. Perhaps that will expand as the movies go on.
Thanks for the podcast!