Jeri
Jacquin
On Bluray
this week from director writer/director Scott Derrickson, Marvel and Walt
Disney Studios comes the highly anticipated look at the mind bending world of
DOCTOR STRANGE.
Dr.
Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a world renowned egotistical yet
brilliant Neurosurgeon who has everything. Outrageous car, fine jewelry, cool
watches and a beautiful home overlooking New
York City are just a few of the perks in his line of
work. Proving that he is brilliant seems to bring satisfaction to his inflated
ego and this is known by ER physician Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams).
Putting up with him is something she is willing to do understanding that caring
sometimes means dealing with silliness.
One night
after performing another feat of medical brilliance, Dr. Strange is on his way
to a speaking engagement that is about to change his life. A serious accident
causes devastating damage to his hands and sends him in an emotional tailspin.
Trying to find a way to fix the nerves, he reaches out everywhere.
During
therapy he is told that there is a man who shouldn't have recovered but did and
this intrigues Strange. He discovers where this man is and questions him about
how his recovery was possible. Being told of a place in Kathmandu , Nepal
He meets
Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) or rather Mordo meets Strange in an alley when he is
being mugged. Mordo takes him to meet the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) but warns
him to forget everything he thinks he knows. Strange uses his sarcasm and wit
but discovers the Ancient One who is slightly amused by his deflecting of
personal pain and shows him a world he never knew existed.
Hungry
for more he is rejected, but his determination starts him on a voyage with
training by the Ancient One and Mordo but Strange wants to learn faster. He
takes it upon himself to study and read from their library run by Wong (Benedict
Wong) who is keeping a close eye on Strange.
While
this is happening, a man named Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) has taken pages from
one of the Ancient Ones books that has the ability to release a dark
power. The Ancient One certainly has her hands full with the dealings of
Kaecilius, training Strange and hiding a secret that could change everything.
Strange
becomes stronger and wiser (although no less twisted in his humor) knowing that
with the help of the Mordo, Wong, the Eye of Agamotto and the Cloak of
Levitation that chose Strange!
It is
time to stop the destruction of the world!
Cumberbatch
as Strange manages to totally surprise me in every way. Having gotten use to
the attempt at villainy or the demure roles he has taken, Cumberbatch gave me
laughs, chuckles, and accidental snorts. He totally nailed the ‘American’
accent without a slip up which is a weird pet peeve of mine.
Ejiofor
as Mordo is the calmer character who understands Strange better than Strange
does. Being with the Ancient One for a while also gives him deeper insight to
help Strange deal with the ins and outs of what he has gotten himself into.
Ejiofor’s character is calm until its time not to be.
McAdams
as Palmer comes in and out through the film going from caring doctor and friend
to Strange to awestruck by the return of someone different. She has the right
demeanor to be surprised yet together in the midst of astral body wars! Wong as
Wong is fantastic but then again I already knew he would be.
Swinton
as the Ancient One went through a lot of side commenting from fans of the comic
about taking this role yet seeing her on the screen I loved it. Okay, so I’m a
Swinton fan from way back and anything she does resonates with me but here she
is down to the bare bones of a character with a secret. Well done.
Mikkelsen
as Kaecilius is the biggest thrill for me. I have been following his career
since first seeing him in 2000 Danish television series UNIT 1 playing Allan
Fischer. The spark in his eyes when he was angry had me riveted because it was
always followed with action instead of talk. He blew me away in the 2009 film
VALHALLA RISING and the 2014 THE SALVATION. In DOCTOR STRANGE he has pulled out
all the stops to be as evil as he wants to be and my only wish is that he got more
screen time!
Other
cast include: Michael Stuhlbarg as Dr. Nicodemus West, Scott Adkins as Lucian,
Topo Wresniwiro as Hamir, Umit Ulgen as Sol Rama and Benjamin Bratt as Jonathan
Pangborn.
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing
under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality programming to kids
and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW
WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families
coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own
family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com
for their At Home titles!
I wasn’t
sure what to expect from DOCTOR STRANGE but I am pleasantly surprised. My problem
with other super hero films is that there are too many of them in one film for
me to enjoy it. That isn’t the case here; instead I get one funny and quick
witted man who comes to terms with his frailties.
The
storyline is a combination of humor, sarcasm and frailties and I must have
sarcasm and wit mixed in with amazing special effects if you’re going to keep
me planted in my seat. DOCTOR STRANGE does just that. It is entertaining,
fascinating, funny, and just enough in the realm of fantasy to make it so dang
enjoyable!
The cast
that is put together bounce off each other in such a way that I cared what
happened to them – yes I even cared what happened to Strange! Even though there
are moments where I thought of other films in the sense of flying capes,
twisted cities and a magic eye, it didn’t bother me enough to turn away. In
fact it awoke a kid like curiosity!
The
special effects are fantastic but then again if you are going to tell the story
of Doctor Strange you better make sure they are above and beyond. The Bluray/DVD and Digital HD bring extremely
high quality home to enjoy again and again.
The
Bluray includes tons of extras like A
Strange Transformation, Strange Company, The Fabric of Reality, Across Time and
Space, The Score-Cerer Supreme, Marvel Studios Phase 3 Exclusive Look, Team
Thor: Part 2, Audio Commentary with Scott Derrickson, Deleted Scenes and my
personal favorite Gag Reel.
Writer
Stan Lee, who makes quick appearances in Marvel films, along with Steve Ditko
created Dr. Strange. From the early 1960s till the present day it was only a
matter of time before this particular superhero jumped from comics to screen –
and jump he does!
In the
end – open your mind and change reality!
No comments:
Post a Comment