DIRECTOR: Scott
Derrickson LEAD CAST: Benedict
Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams,
Mads Mikkelsen SCREENWRITERS: Jon
Spaihts, Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill
PRODUCER: Kevin Feige EDITOR:
Sabrina Plisco, Wyatt Smith MUSICAL
DIRECTOR: Michael Giacchino GENRE:
Action, Adventure, Fantasy CINEMATOGRAPHER:
Ben Davis DISTRIBUTOR: Columbia
Pictures LOCATION: Kathmandu, Nepal;
Hongkong, China; New York, USA RUNNING
TIME: 115 minutes
Technical
Assessment: 3.5
Moral
Assessment: 3
Cinema
Rating: PG 13
MTRCB
Rating: PG
Dr. Stephen Strange
(Benedict Cumberbatch) is a brilliant neurosurgeon but a car accident leaves a
permanent damage on his hands that he can no longer function as one. All
Western medical experts are one in saying that it’s impossible for him to
recover. Desperate for cure, he travels to Nepal in search of of alternative miracle treatment. There he
finds The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), Sorcerer Supreme of the Earth, who opens
his eyes to an unknown world of both mystical and spiritual realms. Through
intense study, Dr. Strange learns the ways of the sorcerer, and finds himself
already involved in a mystical war against the enemies from the dark side who
are keen on destroying the universe and permanently defythrough permanent
defiance of natural laws.
Doctor
Strange no doubt
is a spectacular visual treat where the audience is transported to a different dimension.
Although of a fantasy-adventure genre, the film solidly portrays humans and
humanity in the mirage of magic and mystique. The result may be a twisted,
weird paradox of images and labyrinth of actions and emotions but there is
solid story underneath that to look into the logical sequencing will be a
contradiction of its purpose. But the real magic lies in the strength of the
brilliant actors in the film who are able to give life and intensity to the
otherwise relatively unique characters of varied temperaments. That makes the
entire film a stand-out among other hero films of the same genre. This one has
a different feel—it’s magical yet believable, funny and weird yet dramatically
moving at some moments. Doctor Strange
has a mysterious appeal that can only be experienced through watching it.
One admirable trait
of the film is its ability to merge the mystical and the spiritual into a
magical yet divine perspective. Much of life’s simplest lessons are articulated
in the film—letting go of one’s ego, doing things for the sake of the other as keys
to bringing out one’s full potential as a human being, etc. Strange the surgeon
was once a proud, all-knowing, self-absorbed doctor, but when the reality of
his weakness sets in, he soon acknowledges the powers that are beyond his
knowledge and understanding. And realizes that his ego is his greatest enemy.
There is a clear battle between good and evil in this film. However, after a
revelation about the Ancient One, the moral dimension becomes blurred and quite
contradicting. Looking at the main themes of the film, the good recognizes the
infinite power of humans as spiritual beings, without necessarily taking credit
to themselves, and without defying the natural laws of time and death. The evil
deceives humans that time is the real enemy for it brings forth death. But
death gives meaning to human existence as said in the film, it makes one want
to do good knowing that his time is limited. To want to live forever for
selfish reasons is the real evil. In the end, it would take real sacrifice to
save the lives of many, something solidly depicted in Doctor Strange. But then again, with the inherent violence, use of
sorcery and black magic, the young viewers must be guided on the film’s
context.
