Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Sam Raimi, 2022)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

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Marvel, Superhero, Action, Adventure, Thriller, Horror, Science Fiction

I absolutely love Dr. Strange--the first Dr. Strange film is still my favorite of all MCU films. I love his character and Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of him. So, I was very excited about this latest installment. It's a very fun film full of action, horror, and thrills with amazing special effects...but it has two major issues for me: 1) this film does not stand on its own very well. If you haven't seen WandaVision or at least know Wanda's stories from the comics, you'll probably be a bit confused. And then 2) I really don't like Wanda in this film. I didn't like her in any of her other appearances plus her role in this film is center stage and is darker and more evil that doesn't feel right. Her evil feels more like a selfish, out-of-control tantrum to me. A tantrum that could destroy universes? Well, Dr. Strange and the new America character makes up for it, to some degree. I still enjoyed it and might watch it again.

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SPECIAL: Marvel Cinematic Universe Ranked

UPDATED 7/13/2022: Added two films.

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As most of you know, my favorite films are centered around strong scripts with emphasis on psychology and character development and relationships. So, it shouldn't seem surprising that I don't usually choose action flicks or big blockbusters. But I do love adventure and escape, so in recent years I've enjoyed watching more of these films. I got more into Star Wars and then the DC universe with the Batman films. Well, this last month or so, I finally watched all the Marvel films I could--still need to see the ones that are not on Disney+. I had already seen a few, and those are still my favorites, but I will say I liked them all much more than I thought I would. 

While the majority are still just mediocre films, in my opinion, I did really like them as a whole. My favorite hero is probably Dr. Strange (but Tony Stark is also intriguing and infuriating) and my favorite villain is Loki without a doubt. Favorite minor characters are Korg, Heimdall, and Shuri. I found most of the fight scenes boring (and sometimes way over the top) but my favorites were in Avengers: Civil War. Probably because there was a deeper and more complicated meaning behind those. I really liked seeing different worlds--everything to do with Asgard and Norse mythology was great. Some of the science and logic of certain films irritated me (and the time travel messed with my brain), but I still found it all fun.

Below I've ranked the films in order from my least favorite to favorite. Rather than write about each one (that would take far too long) I will just include my ratings this time.

22. Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Rating: Q=5, P=3 / Thanks But No Thanks

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21. Captain Marvel (2019)

Rating: Q=5, P=3 / Thanks But No Thanks

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20. Iron Man 2 (2010)

Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

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19. Ant-Man (2015)

Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

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18. The Avengers (2012)

Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

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17. Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

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16. The Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

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15. Captain America: The Winter Solider (2014)

Rating: Q=5, P=5 / Average OJ

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14. Iron Man 3 (2013)

Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

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NEWLY ADDED: 13. Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

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12. Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

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NEWLY ADDED: 11. Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

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10. Avengers: Infinity Wars (2018)

Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

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9. Avengers: End Game (2019)

Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

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8. Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

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7. Thor (2011)

Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

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6. Iron Man (2008)

Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

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5. Guardians of the Galaxy 2 (2017)

Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

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4. Black Panther (2018)

Rating: Q=7, P=6 / Can't Get Enough

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3. Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)*

Rating: Q=6, P=7 / Comfy Old Standard

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*My previous rating went up on my second viewing of this one!

2. Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

Rating: Q=6, P=7 / Comfy Old Standard

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1. Doctor Strange (2016)

Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession

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I still think Dr. Strange is the best. I like his struggles and how he overcomes his ego. I like the mystic arts and wizardry and concepts of reality and psychology in this film. And I like Benedict Cumberbatch, of course.

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Dr. Strange

Dr. Strange (Scott Derrickson, 2016)

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Rating: Q=7, P=7 / Obsession

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Comic Book, Action, Adventure, Mysticism, Fantasy

WOW. So, I'm not the person running to the theater to see each new Marvel movie, but this was a really good escape. Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Tilda Swinton?? And the special effects...I haven't been that impressed for a long while. Be sure to see it in 3D, if you can.

I think I was most impressed, though, because the film isn't just a bunch of effects and in-your-face action, like a lot of other comic book movies. The visual appeal is definitely a major part, but there is also a story worth listening to. I like Dr. Strange. I like watching him struggle, grapple with reality/unreality, etc. And I'm really into the mystic arts and magic and psychedelic stuff. This one is fun.

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