Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) spoiler free review
The most expected MCU project of 2022 has finally arrived. After the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) last December, fans couldn’t wait to see the multiverse completely unfold. The film is a sequel of Doctor Strange (2016) being announced in the San Diego Comic Con of 2019. Directed by Sam Raimi, after Scott Derrickson left the project for creative differences, the film becomes the 28th on the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Raimi is also de director of the horror cult film The Evil Dead (1981) and the Spider-Man Trilogy (2002-2007).
Dr Stephen Strange casts a forbidden spell that opens a portal to the multiverse. However, a threat emerges that may be too big for his team to handle.
Official plot
Before getting yourself into the multiverse is important that you have already see Doctor Strange (2016), WandaVision (2021), What If? (2021), and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). Three of this four are available to stream on Disney+ while Spider-Man: No Way Home is available on Amazon Prime Video. This four projects are crucial for the full understanding of the events that takes place on the film. The film has 2 post credit scenes, one during the middle and the second one after the credits rolled out. The first one is a continuation of the film’s ending while second one has to do with a scene from the beginning of the film.
Is really a horror film?
Since the film was announced, and after the events of WandaVision (2021) it was expected that the film took a dark turn becoming a superhero horror film. The expectation grew after Sam Raimi became the director of the film. Raimi created the perfect balance between a superhero film and a horror film. The horror elements along with the score, written by Danny Elfman, created the perfect creepy atmosphere in a PG-13 film. Creative deaths, jump scares, demons, zombies, a little of blood are used to the full rating capacity. If the film was rated R those horror scenes could have been more intense, but the worked well for the plot of the film. It’s indeed a superhero horror film with the right amount of each one.
The positive aspect of the film are the special effects and storytelling. The film has a running time of two hours and six minutes but feels way shorter being action packed from the beginning to the end. That’s a detail that could be overwhelming since the film never really stops but the story makes the right pauses creating a fast paced yet not rushed film. The visual effects are appealing to the eyes and the music score fits perfectly with each scene and character.
Some beloved characters from other universes make a quick cameo that will please fans. The acting performance of Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen is the best part of the film. Seeing the Scarlet Witch with all her power while struggling with wanting her kids back shows how broken Wanda is. Olsen brings every emotion to the surface giving the best performance yet as The Scarlet Witch.
The biggest flaw of the film is the script. It feels weak and gives an easy resolution to our heroes problems without enough development. Through the film certain characters are dealing with inside conflicts, affecting their emotional state and powers and just with a few nice words suddenly they’re in full control and know exactly what to do. This feels way to convenient to the characters storyline and future on the MCU. The film clearly has and open ending confirming Doctor Strange 3. When it will come? We don’t know yet but is certain that this is not the last time that we will see Dr. Stephen Strange.