The Madness of the Multiverse

The Madness of the Multiverse

Brayden Bissonnette, Reporter

The newest Doctor Strange movie has just been released and the hype of the first Strange movie was never extinguished. This one however has Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange traveling through the Multiverse of Madness. Directed by Sam Raimi, unlike the first movie this one takes the more sinister, horror approach than psychological which is an unusual and a newer look for Marvel that we’ve only seen from the likes of Morbius, which did not do too well in the box office. 

If you’re watching the movie to see what new things Doctor Strange does with the powers of the multiverse, then you will be pleased. Even without the time stone, he can still do some incredible things.

Much of the original cast of Dr. Strange appears in this new film. Benedict Cumberbatch has the title role. Benedict Wong is Wong, Rachel McAdams reprises Chrsitine, and Chiwetel Ejiofor returns as Baron Mordo.  They are joined by newcomer Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez and Marvel regular Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda/Scarlett Witch. Our heroes travel between multiverses to save their world.

The different multiverses were a sight to see as none of them were similar in every way as one scene has them jumping from one universe to another rapidly, from a jungle paradise to a floating junkyard inside an abyss. As Doctor Strange is the main focus of the movie, or at least he tries to be, as the multiverse itself does a very good job holding your attention, it shows you why it is called Doctor Strange AND the Multiverse of Madness.

Although the action was top notch making you feel like you are in the multiverse of madness the story arch of the movie was just at sometimes too hard to follow. As it bounces back and forth between Doctor Strange and Wanda, now destined to complete her mission as the Scarlet Witch, it makes you forget the sole drive of what Doctor Strange is doing. But the ending did have me wanting more as it does hint to a third Doctor Strange. 

At the end of the day, this movie is very good as it gives you a thrill and gives you a bit of Marvel horror done decently right with some jump scares and blood which is hardly ever present in a Marvel movie, it’s a good switch up especially combining it with the mind boggling effects of Doctor Strange.

The only complaint is that you could make the argument that the movie could have been titled The Scarlet Witch and The Multiverse of Madness instead of Doctor Strange as if you removed him from the movie, the plot wouldn’t change that much. I think if they removed a couple of scenes with Wanda being the main focus then it would be perfect. But regardless this movie does deserve a watch especially if you are a fan of Stephen Strange.