Here is our review of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which sees the return of Sam Raimi struggling with a superhero movie after the Spiderman trilogy
ORIGINAL TITLE: Doctor Strane in the Multiverse of Madness. GENRE: superheroes, action. NATION: USA. REGIA: Sam Raimi. CAST: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejifor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg. time: 126 minutes. PRODUCTION: Marvel Studios. ITALIAN DISTRIBUTION: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. EXIT: 4 maggio 2022.
Sam Raimi returns to the world of superheroes 15 years after the controversial final chapter of his trilogy of Spider-Man. The man who perhaps most of all contributed to the revival of the cinecomic genre as we know him he decides to get back in the game, this time in the MCU. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessinitially in the hands of Scott Derrickson, author of the first film dedicated to the sorcerer, has thus become an extremely authorial film in the hands of the director, among others, of La Casa. Raimi, in addition to superheroes, means horror and this Doctor Strange sequel has respected, at least in part, the story of its director. Let’s go into the review of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, starting from trailer!
The plot | Doctor Strange Review in the Multiverse of Madness
After the events of Spider-Man: No Way HomeStephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) attends the wedding of his ex-partner Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams). The celebrations are interrupted by the attack by a monstrous creature, in pursuit of America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez). Strange, with the help of Wong (Benedict Wong), manages to save the girl and discovers that the latter is able to travel within the Multiverse, but he can’t control his powers. The creature was looking for her for these abilities of her: America is therefore in grave danger. To resolve the matter, Strange turns to Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), trying to recruit her in the girl’s defense.
Authorial as never | Doctor Strange Review in the Multiverse of Madness
It’s rare, if not unique, to come across an MCU movie e recognize the director’s hand almost immediately who made it. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is one of those rare cases, even more so than recently Eternalsin which Chloe Zhao’s hand was present, but never as in this case. Sam Raimi shapes this film in his own image and likeness, drawing inspiration from his entire career, not dwelling on the Spider-Man trilogy as many might have imagined. At times it seems to be in front of a film from 15 years ago for some directorial choices, from transitions to fading effects. At other times it seems to be watching a film from May 2032. The difference with the flatness of the direction of recent Marvel films it is abysmal. Certain moments and certain scenes become unique with just the director’s touch.
Add to this sensitivity to the horror genre, of which Raimi is a lover and expert, but without making this Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness a real horror film. The aura of the film remains extremely colorful, despite the presence of some jumpscare and other more violent moments, as far as a Disney movie can allow.
Fan service but not only | Doctor Strange Review in the Multiverse of Madness
Sam Raimi did his. And Marvel? In recent days, many trailers have been released on the film, revealing a lot of what we would have seen, especially regarding certain scenes. We are talking about the famous scene of Illuminati, a group of heroes existing in the comics and who find their screen debut in this film. I will not speak here of cameo present in the film, but just know that they are a great show and especially, they are not intrusive towards the plot. Their presence is justified and enriches the course of events, filling us with questions for the future and invading our thoughts with references to the past.
In addition to this brief moment, the Marvel macrocosm works quite well, condensing the Strange adventure with many events and connections with the expanded universe. From references to What if…? direct connections with WandaVision, we are given several explanations on the functioning of the multiverse, many more than we have received so far in other films / series. The film turns out particularly full of events, ma the focus however remains the characters and their stories: from Strange’s personal journey, abandoned in his last appearances to focus on the greater good, to the fate of Wanda, who faces the aftermath of Westview and the farewell to her children and Vision.
Conclusions
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is without a doubt one of the best MCU movies. The credit for this is largely to be assigned to Sam Raimi, capable of enriching even more the imagery linked to the Marvel sorcerer. After the leap into magic with the first film in 2016, Doctor Strange takes the final step and enters the multiverse, the possibilities of which are explored deeply enough for us to appreciate it to the full. The technical sector of the film seals the excellent work of Raimi, with iconic images and much more distinctive photography of the recent ones of the MCU. There soundtrack by Danny Elfman does the rest.
Alongside the great work done by Raimi we find a Benedict Cumberbacth in great dustingaccompanied by a Elizabeth Olsen very convincing and disturbing and from a Xochitl Gomez who often steals the show in his superhero debut. The great Marvel design continues to expand but at least in this film justifies his every move, perhaps abounding in the quantity of meat to be managed in a single moment. Finally, the link to the Disney + series is cleared: if you have not seen WandaVision, it is difficult to fully understand Wanda’s path within the film.
And you, what do you think of our review of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness? Have you seen the film in the cinema? Let us know what you think!
The MCU is rediscovered as authorial
Points in favor
- The unmistakable touch of Sam Raimi
- The Marvel universe is slightly clearer
Points against
- It is essential to have seen WandaVision
- Too much meat on the fire
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