Having directed the original Spider-Man trilogy, Sam Raimi is no stranger to comic-book flicks.
And the Evil Dead helmer was the perfect choice to replace Scott Derrickson behind the camera for Doctor Strange’s second solo outing.
This time around Benedict Cumberbatch’s Strange has to deal with a deadly opponent that not only threatens our Earth but hundreds of other versions of our planet across the multiverse.
It should go without saying, but if you are new to the Marvel Cinematic Universe ( MCU ) this isn’t the place to start your viewing; we dive straight into the action and never let up, with very little explanation given as to the multitude of previous events.
The pace is frenetic and the script barely pauses for breath, however it’s a credit to the cast that they still find time to give us the feels - especially Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda .
At its heart, this is a film about grief and loss; for Strange it’s his doomed love for Rachel McAdams’ Christine and Wanda the repercussions of her cosmic creations during WandaVision .
Despite his comic-book movie background, it’s Raimi’s horror roots that shine through. His trademark close-ups on screaming faces, a great nod to Evil Dead’s Ash and seminal visuals like Wanda creepily crawling through a mirror all make this the closest the MCU has come to a fright-fest.
Without getting close to Saw or Hostel territory, it’s also the studio’s goriest entry with a high death count.
Pre-release a lot was made of the potential cameos afforded by the multiverse and while it’s cool to see certain faces pop up, truthfully they didn’t really need to be in the film - and some may be disappointed that more alternative worlds aren’t explored.
The best fresh face is Xochitl Gomez’s America Chavez as one of the youngest additions to the MCU and her and Strange share a sweet bond.
It’s nice to see Sam Raimi’s directorial style imprinted all over In the Multiverse of Madness - a frantically fun movie that opens up exciting future possibilities.
● What are your thoughts on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness? Are you growing tired of the MCU? Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.
● Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is screening in cinemas now.
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