After small disappointments like black widow or films that divided critics and audiences like Eternals, a film was needed that would once again rescue the epic spirit of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, bringing together most of the fans. This was achieved in part with Spider-Man: No Way Homebut with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness on the horizon, there was still a hunger for more.
The sequel has been a fodder for rumors and leaks for months, and we are at a point where things are already becoming very worrying. So much so that it is impossible to fully enjoy a great cinematic experience that is completely unspoiled. However, we must recognize that at least this is a sign of the desire that exists to see this film, and if you are interested, in my twitter account you will find a place full of information, but free of spoilers.
Leaving aside which rumors have been fulfilled and which rumors have not, it must be said that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a Marvel fan delight from start to finish. Can you say it’s a good movie? yes because it is. Can you say that it is the best thing Marvel Studios has ever done? Those are big words. Let’s see why.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness it’s brutal, but it could have been epic
I must start by saying that a good exercise before watching the movie is to lower expectations. Far from being an epic phenomenon as one might expect, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is presented with a simple story of heroes against villains. Yes, what villains. It is still brutal and visually impressive, with fast-paced action pure and simple from the second 1. But after seeing it, I don’t think anyone will miss that miss out on the infinite possibilities of the Multiverse. This can be seen as a bad thing, but also as a good thing. Yes, it is done on purpose.
Starting with the bad, it leaves a bad taste in our mouths because being able to visit other universes and find other versions of yourself goes a long way at a narrative level. Deep character developments, bizarre dichotomies or moral and philosophical approaches can be carried out. You can visit places never seen before giving rise to unforgettable moments. Paradoxes can be set up or references to just about anything can be included. Much can be done, but little is done here. Or to be more precise, fair is done. And because? Because basically, as I said, the film prefers to focus on a simpler story.
But as I said, it also has its good side. By focusing on what really matters, you avoid falling into fan service easy, in including things because yes. Let’s see, there are surprises, there are cameos, there are fan service. And they are good examples of what I say because they are there to be. So that the public is surprised. To make people talk. So that a few heads explode. And if we remove it from the film, absolutely nothing is lost. Now this is also the magic of Marvel, and to some extent it is necessary.
What is not going to leave anyone indifferent is how one goes to the cinema thinking that they are going to see a movie about the Multiverse, and in the end ends up seeing a movie where the theme of the Multiverse is dealt with, but in a much more secondary way than expected. what would be expected The good thing is that the film manages to find a balance to be able to tell what it wants to tell, although It’s impossible to get rid of that burnt tire smell from having traveled the road with the handbrake on..
It’s a sequel, but not of Doctor Strange
And what I have been saying has consequences. It is curious that in reality we are not facing Strange’s story, but Wanda’s story. Or what is more, this is not a sequel Doctor Strangebut it is from the series Scarlet Witch and Vision. Wanda is not the protagonist per se, but he is the character that has the most development. Perhaps it is something that many of us expected, but the thing goes much further than what I, personally, had imagined.
This relegates Stephen Strange to a curious leading role that is also secondary. Yes, he is the one with the most screen minutes. Yes, this is his franchise. But somehow his character doesn’t advance. Some plot threads that had been dragging on since the first film are closed, but a few meters of the road ahead are covered.
If Strange is something like a supporting character in his own movie, imagine real supporting characters. Wong has just the right presence and América Chávez is transformed into a mere Macguffin whom I would have liked to see more developed. And it is that of Macguffins the film is well served. By the way, for those who don’t know, a Macguffin is an element that advances the plot, but may or may not be relevant to the plot itself. On the other hand, Christine Palmer surprises, since without being decisive, she has more prominence than she thought.
Sam Raimi’s stamp, super present
Here is another of the surprises of the film. turns out when it was said that the movie was the first horror movie of the MCU, it was true. Let’s see, nobody wait here Warren expedient either Paranormal Activities, but it is a good foray into a genre based on a collection of scares, narrative resources, visual games and sound elements that make more than one stir, or even jump, in their seats. This, along with the plot, the development of some characters and the possible consequences of everything that happens, present us with what is probably, and I risk saying it, the darkest movie in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. You see things here that I’m sure no one thought they’d see in a Marvel movie.
And all this is thanks to the director. Because it turns out when sam raimi said he had creative freedom, it was true. Let no one wait for the director completely unleashed, because Marvel Studios is still Marvel Studios, with its limits and barriers. But Raimi’s seal is there. It is in the tone, in the theme, in certain shots, in the use of the camera, in the soundtrack, in the type of humor and in many other things that his fans will recognize. Almost as if he had taken them from previous movies of his. I have seen a lot here Evil DeadI have seen a lot of The Army of Darkness and I’ve seen a lot of dark-man.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is made to be enjoyed
As I said at the beginning, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness It’s not the best Marvel movie, but it has been since Avengers: Endgame. The film has a perfect balance between story, characters, surprises, fan service, action, humor and other elements. Perhaps it misses the possibilities of the multiverse a bit and misses the opportunity to offer an epic show, but what it brings to the table is more than satisfactory. Perhaps other previous MCU movies are better in some specific aspects, but few are in general aspects.
And listen, following the tradition, nobody leaves the cinema without seeing the two post-credits scenes that this film includes. They are worth it.