Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: A Thrilling Action-Packed Marvel Adventure with Familiar Flaws

The film is heavy on fan service, with a plot that feels like it was created on the fly.

On June 22, Disney+ released the latest Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The original Doctor Strange, released in 2016, was directed by Scott Derrickson, known for his work on horror films like Sinister. However, Derrickson stepped away from the sequel, citing either a demanding shooting schedule or creative differences with the studio.

Marvel Studios then appointed Sam Raimi as director, a choice that seemed perfect given his background in horror and his previous work on the early 2000s Spider-Man trilogy. Raimi was expected to maintain the mystical tone while bringing his unique flair.

Following test screenings, the film underwent extensive reshoots amid rumors it was too dark. Raimi himself mentioned that additional explanations were added to clarify the story.

While it's unclear how the initial cut looked, the final version embodies many of Marvel's recent shortcomings: it relies heavily on fan service and presents a plot that seems to have been improvised during filming. Nonetheless, Raimi successfully entertains the audience and infuses the movie with horror elements.

Plot Lacks Coherence and Logic

An alternate version of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) aids America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) in escaping a demon. America unexpectedly enters the main Marvel universe, where she encounters the familiar Strange. Recognizing a dire threat to the multiverse, Strange seeks help from Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen). However, Wanda turns out to be the antagonist, possessed by the dark magical tome, the Darkhold.

After Wanda, now the Scarlet Witch, attacks the sanctuary of sorcerers, Strange and America travel across different realities searching for the Book of Vishanti, the key to defeating Wanda.

Marvel fans are accustomed to straightforward plots that often recycle familiar themes. Some films offer fresh concepts, while others primarily entertain. Yet, even by Marvel's standards, this Doctor Strange installment feels awkward.

It seems even the witty Sam Raimi was aware of this, as evidenced in a scene where America Chavez questions Strange's foolish decision to reveal the villain's whereabouts. This moment feels like a nod to the screenwriters rather than the character. Similar occurrences happen with other characters, such as Wong (Benedict Wong), who inadvertently leads Scarlet Witch to her target.

These coincidences extend to other characters as well. Doctor Strange often moves from one location to another, receiving hints on what to do next. Only near the climax does he exhibit true initiative and cleverness.

Worse still, the script sometimes resembles a child's game where rules are invented as the story progresses. Whenever a plot twist is required, characters simply explain aloud the powers granted by the Darkhold. This calls into question the director's claim that efforts were made to add logic to the film—one can only imagine how disjointed it was before.

Sharp Action and Horror Elements Save the Film

Despite flaws, Marvel made a wise choice hiring Sam Raimi. The studio has a history of allowing distinctive directors to imprint their style, as seen with James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy and Taika Waititi's Thor: Ragnarok. Although fans still lament Edgar Wright's departure from Ant-Man.

Raimi's style helps mitigate the story's banality. He unabashedly includes old-school monsters, such as a giant one-eyed octopus featured in the second battle, reminiscent of classic Spider-Man films. The zombie and cursed souls theme aligns perfectly with Raimi's roots in horror, especially considering his fame from The Evil Dead series.

The cursed books in the plot also allow Raimi to explore darker tones, a contrast to Derrickson's more subtle horror touches. Wanda's attacks through mirrors, spells, and mystical elements evoke classic horror imagery.

While not the main focus, Raimi's action sequences are engaging. Like many Marvel films, the sequel is packed with special effects, which here are crafted into a captivating spectacle.

Additionally, the cameo of Raimi's favorite actor, Bruce Campbell, cleverly references The Evil Dead series, adding a fun Easter egg for fans.

Excessive Fan Service Overwhelms the Story

Bruce Campbell's cameo is a delightful touch that entertains without affecting the main plot. However, the rest of the fan service and MCU connections overload the film.

This issue extends to both the storyline and various cameos. Understanding Doctor Strange now requires deep familiarity with all Marvel projects. Early MCU films like Thor could be enjoyed independently, but post-Endgame, every new movie or series feels like part of an intricate crossover.

The multiverse concept was introduced in Loki, Strange plays a key role in Spider-Man, and Scarlet Witch's motivations are best understood by watching the WandaVision series. This creates an overwhelming cinematic experience. While the latest Spider-Man film was saved by the return of classic heroes from other franchises, Doctor Strange lacks a similar anchor.

The plot feels like a compilation of several episodes of What If...?, featuring alternate versions of Strange, zombies, and surprise cameos. Jokes about the multiverse seem repetitive, as audiences have already enjoyed various Loki forms, including an alligator, and the trio of Spider-Men. Now, they are offered different iterations of Cumberbatch's character.

Moreover, the film introduces several intriguing characters only to disappoint by abruptly ending their story arcs. It feels as though the writers searched online for fan-favorite heroes and cast the corresponding actors without meaningful integration.

Consequently, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness resembles a Frankenstein's monster: an excessive mixture of elements that hinder each other.

Watching Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in theaters likely offers the best experience. Marvel spares no expense, transforming its films into vibrant spectacles. Yet, upon reflection, the MCU has fallen into repetition and fan service overload. The salvation lies in projects featuring entirely new heroes. However, both Eternals and Ms. Marvel attracted far less attention than Spider-Man or Doctor Strange, suggesting future films may follow a similar pattern.

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