It would be overstating to say that "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" is a horror film in our opinion but if you think this is going to be that blockbuster, action-packed, CGI-filled superhero film experience then you'll probably be in shock in the film's tensest moment. Sam Raimi was able to balance epic blockbuster with jump scare horror and we loved it especially in the film's crazy second half.
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) has just had a vivid dream that another Doctor Strange has died while trying to protect a girl named America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) from a demon while in pursuit of the Book of Vishanti. But when he encounters the same girl the next day, Strange discovers that his dream was actually real in another reality - dreams being windows into the multiverse version of someone. America explains that she has the power to travel across the multiverse but she cannot control it and that the demon wants to steal her power. When Strange investigates further, he soon discovers the real culprit and the real stakes if he is unable to stop the threat from reaching America.
We remember being in awe when watching "Doctor Strange" back in 2016. The film just felt different and out there with its presentation. We actually got the same feeling while watching "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness". While its predecessor was able to feel different with Strange's ability to alter reality, this sequel was different because of its actual presentation. This film borders the line between horror and action if we could best describe it. Expect it to be formulaic especially in its narrative but what we certainly didn't expect the heavy-handed use of jump scares and tension build-up in the film's second half. Admittedly, it's not "The Conjuring" levels of horror but there are emotional and thrilling peaks that will catch audiences off guard. Another aspect that we loved about the film was the chaos, madness, and brutality that ensues once Strange travels across multiverses. Let's just say that if the film's first half was as crazy as its second half, then we could have scored this as a perfect film. But alas, there were obvious compromises within "Multiverse of Madness" and while they limited the film's rating, this film was simply jaw-dropping in its best moments.
Rating: 4 reels
Why you should watch it:
- like its predecessor, this "Doctor Strange" film has a different vibe compared to what's typical
Why you shouldn't watch it:
- the first half's narrative was pretty formulaic in our opinion
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Movie Review: Sheer Chaos and Sheer Madness
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