The Stream: Moves a bit too quick

The Big Screen: Big Murderous Action, slightly scary for a kid

The Final Bill: The MCU keeping up the pressure with another blockbuster that’s more dark than normal

– S2S: Movie Review
Director: Sam Raimi
Writers: Michael Waldron
Stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Thriller
Rating: PG-13 (very violent)
Runtime: 1 hour 57 minutes (mid credit scene (watch) and post credit scene (Youtube it)
Production Companies: Marvel Studios
Platform: Released in theaters May 6, 2022
Notable Trailers: Lightyear, Thor: Love and Thunder, Avatar: The Way of Water, Bullettrain, Minions: The Rise of Gru, Don’t Worry Darling

Streamers do not get me wrong by the title… the movie is madness alright but it’s just that much more murderous! Welcome back and to the long-awaited review for Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. You’ve got it this weekend Dr. Strange 2 was finally released and MCU fans can finally let a sigh of relief taht the MCU Phases are still coming hot and fresh and all new tricks.

my biggest issue with the movie is that it glosses over the connection to No Way Home. It felt as if that was no significant or consequential time in the MCU. I mean Dr. Strange is pompous and flippant but it felt sooooooo … idk. And quite early in the movie he makes a decision that just seems so careless and devil may care attitude. It felt a bit weird. Other than that I felt the movie moved a bit too fast but I do appreciate the under 2 hour runtime. Under two hours and it felt like things were just moving so quickly. ALmost feels like you missed something and have to see it again. Quite refreshing i must admit and I do plan on seeing this again in short order. But let’s get to the good.

The movie is wild. The qualify this as madness and it was but it was even more so murderous. I mean from the trailer you can see how everything is literally unraveling on the screen, but the full movie takes it up a notch. The thing I’m most pleased by is that the trailer seems to show so much but the movie has so much more left in the tank. I was quite frightened this was just going to be What If come to live action. And while this movie definitely, touches What if tones, they are not derivative. I should’ve had more faith in Sam Raimi, Disney and Kevin Feige that they wouldn’t let us down. On top of that, the cast doesn’t let us down either. Benedict is all over and manages to keep his head straight. Elizabeth Olsen continues her great performance from WandaVision and really doubles down on the mad in this one. The newcomer who plays America Gomez, doesn’t add much but let’s see what we get from her character in the future. And all of the extra cast play their roles to a T. Was it all perfect? no. the directors or editors might have missed or should’ve used other takes but interestingly enough that makes me want to see the deleted scenes from this movie. They definitely whittled this movie down to be what it was which makes me think what crazy things didn’t make the cut.

All in all, I couldn’t imagine seeing Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness not on a big screen. The MCU put a ton of money, effort, and thought into the effects, cast, fanfare, etc. for this movie. Is it perfect? No. Will you be severely entertained and possibly grossed out or scared? Yes. You’re left thinking how and when does this fit io the bigger universe and what’s next! Grab a big box of popcorn and chow down as you enjoy this mad dash through the multiverse and MCU.