Just yesterday, I finally got a chance to check out the new Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness. First off, I did so alone, and going to a movie by myself is something I haven’t done for a VERY long time. But flying solo at a movie is such treat, and with my family out of the house for the week, I figured I’d treat myself to the latest Marvel flick. I wasn’t disappointed.
First off, I’ll say right away that this is definitely a Sam Raimi movie. If you’re familiar with his work, you’ll see what I mean almost right away. If you’re not a fan of his work, you’ll still probably enjoy this one, just maybe not as much as seasoned fans.
Another thing I’ll say near the top is that this movie is not about what you may believe it’s about before walking into the theater. They hit you with a fairly big swerve early on. So be prepared for that.
Of all the Marvel movies, this one pushes the PG-13 rating harder than most. Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame had some pretty wicked kills. But this movie had a few that could have easily pushed it into an R rating. It really walked the line.
It also contained some legitimate horror themes about 2/3 the way through the movie. There were times where the movie’s “big bad” chased our protagonists in a manner very much reminiscent of the old slasher films like Halloween or Friday the 13th. Particularly dark for a superhero movie.
Apart from the above, the movie still remembers to be a fun Marvel outing, teaming with witty one-liners, pop culture references, and a few EXCELLENT cameos. Seriously, the whole theater audibly cheered for one in particular. You’ll know which one when it happens.
I’m a Marvel fan, and I love pretty much all of the movies. But I’d have to place this one among the best. It’s not god-tier like Endgame, but it’s still damn awesome.
9/10
Cover Photo Credit: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
