If there’s one thing we know from comic book and science fiction-based films, it’s that nothing is as it appears to be, no one is necessarily as dead as you may have been led to believe, and things can – and they usually do – get weirder.
In the new Marvel Cinematic Universe movie, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, we’re treated to a whirlwind of dazzling CGI effects, new superheroes, old favorites, and delightful cameos. It’s a wild blend of horror, comedy and special effects. Perhaps a bit light on character development but one can almost forgive that part as there are just so many characters interwoven into the story line.
The film uses the time-honored and now slightly hackneyed plot device of alternate universes. That opens up some really fun and creative opportunities for director Sam Raimi to dig into his trove of horror-film flavored treats. In fact, this is the spookiest MCU movie to date. There are wraiths, an un-dead Strange, and plenty of scary monsters and moments.
The story opens with Steven Strange gloomily going to the wedding of Christine Palmer – his former lover. Naturally, the festivities are interrupted by something that only his sorcerer powers can stop – a giant Cyclopean octopus. The marauding octopod is trashing New York apparently in pursuit of a teenage girl whom we are introduced to as America Chavez. Strange vanquishes the creature and then, yes you guessed it, things get weirder. It seems the beastie was only an errand-octopus, not the actual bad guy. It was charged by another, bigger and badder dark force with capturing Chavez for her superpower – the ability to hop between universes.
America Chavez is a relative newcomer to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One of the missions of the film is to set up a new group of superheroes, now that the Avengers are split up. Strange is of course back, and at the height of his sorcerer’s powers. The Scarlet Witch, a.k.a. Wanda Maximoff, is also back – with a vengeance. I won’t give away any spoilers for the other characters who make cameos, but MCU has definitely set up some tantalizing “what ifs” for future films.
The score by Danny Elfman is as big and bold as any of his previous cinematic masterworks. His trademark use of a wordless choir is used to brilliant effect. No stranger to superhero films, Elfman and director Raimi worked together previously on Spiderman, Spiderman II and Hulk. He co-composed Avengers: Age of Ultron with Brian Tyler.
If you’re a fan of alternate realities, you’ll love this one. Or should I say, “these ones.” However, if you haven’t followed all the myriad storylines developed for the Disney+ series WandaVision, you may find yourself bewildered. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is as much the story of Wanda/Scarlet Witch as it is Dr. Strange. The streaming series left us with a Wanda who was in mourning not only over the loss of her beloved Vision who died in Avengers: End Game, but over two young boys she created in her mind out of her grief. Her loss has sent her down the dark path and she needs America Chavez’s power to enter a universe where the boys are real.
Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda/Scarlet Witch is at the top of her game in this film. She is alternately capable of generating enormous pathos and enormous chaos. Her “Wanda” side is almost entirely gobbled up by her “Scarlet Witch” side – she has no problem destroying anyone or anything that stands in the way of her achieving her desire to be with her conjured sons. Benedict Cumberbatch is again marvelous as Doctor Strange, this time he’s allowed to be less arrogant and a bit more human. Xochitl Gomez is delightful as America Chavez, and more than holds her own against two very strong co-stars.
It’s clear that MCU is setting things up for the next phase of their Universe of entertainment. If Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Sam Raimi and Xochitl Gomez are any indication, then it’s going to be one wild ride.