Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness (2022)

You break the rules and become a hero. I do it, and I become the enemy. That doesn’t seem fair.

Marvel did not disappoint. The sequel to Doctor Strange 2016, titled Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness directed by Sam Raimi was released officially on the 6th of May 2022.

This movie follows up on two previous marvel hits. First one is Spider-Man: No Way Home where Dr. Strange created havoc as he tried to help our friendly neighbourhood spider-man. Secondly, the WandaVision miniseries in which Wanda Maximoff basically has a mental breakdown and is over stricken with grief following the death of Vision and then takes over an entire city to create her own alternate reality where she is happily married with Vision and has twins.

The main characters are Dr. Stephan Strange and the Scarlet Witch, and secondary characters are Wong and Stephan’s romantic interest, Christine. The character of America Chavez is introduced to the MCU for the first time ever. This new character is equipped with super strength and the power to travel through multiverses. The film also dons several surprise appearances and crossover characters.

In this movie, Doctor Strange Teams up with America Chavez who can travel across multiverses to battle with demons and much more seeking Help from Wong the Sorcerer Supreme and the Scarlet Witch. Along the way Strange and his allies uncover the powerful adversary who seeks to take over America’s powers, and through them, the control over the multiverse. For the sake of the multiverse, this powerful nemesis should be stopped.

Sam Raimi is no stranger to superhero gigs as he had directed the fan favourite pre-MCU spiderman trilogy starring Tobey Maguire. Apart from that some of his other famous works are the Evil Dead movies. As he is famous for masterfully integrating horror/ thriller aspects into the storylines that he works with. Fans were expecting a similar craft from Doctor Strange 2 and that he did.

Unlike other marvel cinematic works, Dr Strange in the multiverse of madness is given a darker spin. Raimi has managed to instill a personality to this film with his wildly inventive, entertainingly chaotic visual style that is used in his Evil Dead horror trilogy as well. An antagonist who commits massacres and destruction with no hesitation whatsoever further supports Raimi’s gory style of directing. I can confidently state that the adversary of the multiverse is undoubtedly one of the most unhinged villains I’ve seen in the MCU universe so far.

Not to mention the camera techniques, the editing, the CGI that had been used in this film in a fascinating and seamless manner makes the audience gasp out loud and even scream at some gruesome scenes.

Despite it being a darker film than others, the usual Marvel comedic moments are present in this film. Witty remarks, most often from Stephan’s end, lightens the film in the usual Marvel manner. The surprise appearances and the multiple crossover characters from previous marvel works makes the film more enjoyable for marvel fans similarly to the previous similar film Spider-Man: No Way Home.

“Multiverse of Madness” packed with shocking twists and turns lasts for only 126 minutes, deeming it the shortest runtime of any marvel movie since the 2019’s Captain Marvel (124 mins). Despite its considerably shorter run time, the movie successfully coped in delivering an interesting story with mind blowing cinematography effects.

Finally, the entire cast had done a spectacular job. Playing the protagonist Dr. Stephan Strange’s signature nonchalant, arrogant personality with hints of emotional sentiments peeking through his wittiness is expertly portrayed by Cumberbatch. Elizabeth Olsen manages to captivate the audience with her powerful rendition of the Scarlet Witch. The newest addition Xochitl Gomez carries her character with youthfulness adding a fresh spin to the film. Our Sorcerer of Supreme Wong is masterfully played by Benedict Wong and the lost love of Strange, Christine is personated by Rachel McAdams attracting the audience’s hearts.

The film garnered a whopping $409 million from a $187 Million launch, crowning this movie the most frontloaded MCU movie yet. The numbers speak for themselves.

As an avid fan of the Marvel films and of Dr. Strange as well, Dr. Strange in The Multiverse of Madness managed to hit all the right spots without a doubt. Some people question the credibility of these storylines, pointing out how they are unrealistic. But isn’t it talent? To create a whole other world purely of fiction and weaving different characters together is entrancing. As always, MCU flourishingly fared in releasing yet another gem.