Doctor Strange - Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Special Effects
- Thread starter Marter
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Marvel, I know every once in a while some really good character stuff comes out. We're talking the effects of PTSD on a super hero, the delightful 'band of losers' theme in guardians (and really there was excellent writing in there. a smile at a troll doll informed more about two characters than 10 minutes of exposition would have), and the best supporting cast ever in a superhero movie in Ant Man.
But then this good stuff was crammed into 15 minutes of Civil War and Strange is an explosion fest. This sort of vapid focus-grouped removal of deeper content isn't sustainable, just ask DC.
But then this good stuff was crammed into 15 minutes of Civil War and Strange is an explosion fest. This sort of vapid focus-grouped removal of deeper content isn't sustainable, just ask DC.
I want to see it but it is too bad.
We have seen enough origin stories. Mutants and inhumans no longer need one. Dr. Strange however needs SOME exposition. It should have been a relatively brief scene told in reflection. I would want to sense that Strange is not some Luke Skywalker novice that nearly became a Jedi between meals for Han and Leia. I would want the movie starting out with him being the Sorcerer Supreme.
Then, the only limitation is the imagination of the writers. The guy travels through dimensions and fights fiery demon over-lords of nether realms. Makes Thor look like brick layer by comparison.
We have seen enough origin stories. Mutants and inhumans no longer need one. Dr. Strange however needs SOME exposition. It should have been a relatively brief scene told in reflection. I would want to sense that Strange is not some Luke Skywalker novice that nearly became a Jedi between meals for Han and Leia. I would want the movie starting out with him being the Sorcerer Supreme.
Then, the only limitation is the imagination of the writers. The guy travels through dimensions and fights fiery demon over-lords of nether realms. Makes Thor look like brick layer by comparison.
Considering that the movie had to sell us both on Doctor Strange's character and the fact that magic coexists with the aliens and future tech that are already present in this cinematic universe, I thought it did a really good job. Frankly, I don't think that audiences are particularly fatigued by the fact that this is an origin story. It was formulaic perhaps, but I do not think that is an envelope that Marvel has to push when it comes to new characters.
I think my only gripe (well, a small one anyway) is that this origin is firmly established after the events of Civil War. Thus Strange is more of a newcomer to this superhero thing, whereas the scope of his role almost makes it feel as though he should have been at this longer than anyone. But again, just a minor nitpick.
But yeah, the special effects blew me away.
I think my only gripe (well, a small one anyway) is that this origin is firmly established after the events of Civil War. Thus Strange is more of a newcomer to this superhero thing, whereas the scope of his role almost makes it feel as though he should have been at this longer than anyone. But again, just a minor nitpick.
But yeah, the special effects blew me away.
No mention of how Mads Mikkelsen played the villain role? Aww.
Kinda reminds me of that 90s film The Shadow with Alec Baldwin and Tim Curry where he had to learn mystical powers in Eastern lands to meld other people's perceptions.
Kinda reminds me of that 90s film The Shadow with Alec Baldwin and Tim Curry where he had to learn mystical powers in Eastern lands to meld other people's perceptions.
The events of his training and defeating the villain take place before Civil War.Mahorfeus said:Considering that the movie had to sell us both on Doctor Strange's character and the fact that magic coexists with the aliens and future tech that are already present in this cinematic universe, I thought it did a really good job. Frankly, I don't think that audiences are particularly fatigued by the fact that this is an origin story. It was formulaic perhaps, but I do not think that is an envelope that Marvel has to push when it comes to new characters.
I think my only gripe (well, a small one anyway) is that this origin is firmly established after the events of Civil War. Thus Strange is more of a newcomer to this superhero thing, whereas the scope of his role almost makes it feel as though he should have been at this longer than anyone. But again, just a minor nitpick.
But yeah, the special effects blew me away.
At least he didn't dismiss it as bad only because it was a Superhero Movie. I'm looking forward to seeing it in IMAX for maximum tripiness. And I can understand why the movie didn't throw everything about magic at the audience; in this universe of super science and alien tech, we have to be EASED into magic, which was only touched upon in the THOR movies. You know, to compare and contrast, science vs. magic. That's a classic trope.Fischgopf said:
It was a fun and visually impressive movie. It never really comes into it's own however. The plot was tight and proficient where I think it would have been better to slow down and build it's magical world more.
I think Christine Palmer should have had 1 less scene not more. The movie really didn't need a love interest to work and it felt rushed enough that I'd rather we get a little less mundane and some more strangeness in it.
The message was very confused also and the after credit scenes were a little jarring.
I think Christine Palmer should have had 1 less scene not more. The movie really didn't need a love interest to work and it felt rushed enough that I'd rather we get a little less mundane and some more strangeness in it.
The message was very confused also and the after credit scenes were a little jarring.
Is Benedini Cumberlini any good in this? I've been real/ lukewarm towards seeing this since I think he's got the acting power of a wet towel, and 'decent visual effects' isn't quite the selling point needed for me to sit through something he's the main character of.
I personally was a tad disappointed by the magic on display in the movie. No Crimson Bands of Cytorakk, just magic energy linr things. I'm guessing we'll see more eventually.
The timeline was confusing as well, but it works.
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo has me hoping that Loki won't be the only good Marvel villain in the MCU forever.
The timeline was confusing as well, but it works.
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo has me hoping that Loki won't be the only good Marvel villain in the MCU forever.
Because Doctor Strange is relatively unknown to the non-comic universe, an origin story suffices for him. Its not as if he's Spidey and everyone knows the "great power... great responsibility" Yoda-ism from Uncle Ben or radioactive/genetically altered spider-bites. Now beyond that? I haven't yet seen the movie, but I'm going on Monday.
Y'know, it's weird. Usually I agree with Marter's comments, but not the score. This time, I agree with the score, but not the comments.
Anyway, detailed my thoughts elsewhere, but for me, it's the best MCU film I've seen, and one of the three I consider to be genuinely "good," rather than "average."
Anyway, detailed my thoughts elsewhere, but for me, it's the best MCU film I've seen, and one of the three I consider to be genuinely "good," rather than "average."
Yeah, that is one of the points that I feel that they've missed an opportunity on. But I feel that it's more of a deliberate choice than a "they can't do it". I also can't imagine how good an action scene without turning into wizards LARPing at each other.Mister K said:
I doubt it, ignoring the fact that the director of the film has now stated that we shouldn't read to much in to the phone call, i.e he's not saying who it is, the time line doesn't match. Right at the start of Dr Strange you see the post Avenger's fully repaired Stark building that alone suggests that the time line for Hammer's guy just doesn't add up.
So while it may not be Rhodie the time line certainly doesn't add up to Hammer's guy either.
No, he's complaining that Marvel follows a boring, rigid formula for their movies that makes them all feel the same, and if someone tries to exert some creativity then they get fired. He's saying that, while the movie has its moments, it's the result of a lot of focus testing and business shenanigans.Fischgopf said:
I actually enjoyed the film. My brother wanted to see it. It was better then I thought it would be. Even I acknowledge that that's just because I like wizards more then iron men, though. It's not great, it's not terrible, it's just sort of forgettable. It's a Marvel movie. If you like their other movies, you'll like. If not, you'll hate it. It won't be changing any minds. But, given the money those movies make, it doesn't really have to.
Haven't seen Strange yet, but Dr Strange is namedropped as one of the powerful individuals Hydra wants to eliminate in Winter Soldier, which means him becoming the Sorcerer Supreme has to take place before then, middle of Phase 2.Laughing Man said: