Doctor Strange will take you out of this world – Blu-ray/DVD review

By Tribute on February 28, 2017 | 2 Comments


Doctor Strange blu-ray/DVDNew on DVD and Blu-ray, Doctor Strange, the latest addition to  Marvel’s band of cinematic superheroes, takes us on a mystical adventure into dimensions unknown.

The film begins at the mysterious Kamar-Taj, a fortress of untold magic and enchantment. A sorcerer named Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelson) and his followers storm the place and kill the librarian. They flee with ancient and mystical texts, which belong to the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), a wise and all-knowing sorceress who leads the Kamar-Taj.

In New York City, we meet Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), a successful neurosurgeon. At the top of his game, Stephen is more than a little arrogant.

One night, on the way to an event, Strange is involved in a severe car crash, which results in loss of function in both of his hands. Although he receives support from fellow surgeon and former lover Christine (Rachel McAdams), Stephen alienates himself, distraught at the revelation that he may never be able to operate again.

Desperate, he sets off on a journey after learning about the mysterious case of Jonathan Pangborn (Benjamin Bratt), a paraplegic who somehow regained the ability to walk. His journey brings him to the Kamar-Taj, where he is met by one of the Ancient One’s pupils, Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor).

Mordo introduces the skeptical Strange to the sorceress, who wows him with her great powers to shift between multiple universes. In awe, Strange begs her to teach him how he can harness the universe’s energy to repair his hands. After initial reluctance due to his arrogance, the Ancient One agrees to take him under her wing.

As Strange struggles to master his magical abilities, he discovers that his powers are needed in ways he couldn’t have imagined when it becomes clear Doctor Strange blu-ray reviewKaecilius plans to summon a powerful and evil force from the Dark Dimension. It becomes a literal race against time for Doctor Strange to hone his own powers and save humanity.

When it comes down to it, Doctor Strange is mind-boggling, reality-twisting, time-looping fun. The film really does make you suspend any belief, as you enter a world of unparalleled wonder.

From the opening sequence alone, you see just how imaginative this movie can be, in an epic fight scene that definitely nods towards the visually-mystifying spectacles of Inception.

As Mordo says when he and Strange first meet, “Forget everything you think you know.” It is clear while watching Doctor Strange that this piece of advice was intended for the audience too.

First, the film is not like the typical Marvel superhero movies we’ve become accustomed to. Although the MCU has included some other-worldly elements in the past, as seen in Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy, this film approaches the fantastical in a different way.

Keeping in mind that Stephen Strange starts out as just an normal (albeit egotistical) man at the beginning of the film; he is not the son of a powerful Norse god, or an intergalactic outlaw. He acquires his magical powers through intense reading and practice, the same way in which he became a doctor in real life. This grounds the character and the story, giving the film a unique, down-to-earth feel, even though it literally takes place in multiple dimensions.

That being said, this film will probably appeal more to those who are just being introduced to the comic book character. As someone who is relatively unfamiliar with the Doctor Strange backstory myself, I found there was a bit of “info dialogue” — explanations about the different dimensions, time-bending, and mystical relics, like the Eye of Agamotto and the Cloak of Levitation. If you’re already well-versed with the story behind these things, then you might find yourself tuning out. Of course, this is likely to be the first film in a Doctor Strange franchise, so it does have to get the expositional stuff out of the way. The film does not get too bogged down with backstory though, and ventures right back into the action.

Performances are all on-par throughout the film. Benedict Cumberbatch is a good fit for the role, having already played a charismatic know-it-all in the Sherlock TV series. Tilda Swinton is also great as the stoic and wise Ancient One. One character I would have liked to see more of was the villain, Kaecilius. Although there are some epic, gravity-defying fight scenes between Kaecilius and the protagonists, we don’t get much in terms of dialogue and personality from him.

All in all, Doctor Strange not only defies the laws of physics, but also expectations too. As a standalone film, it sets itself apart from other superhero films in the MCU. But as the mid-credits scene suggest, we are about to see the sorcerer play a big part alongside Marvel’s heavyweights. How long until Thor: Ragnarok again? ~Ashleen Grange

Special Features:

A Strange Transformation – Open your eye to a new dimension of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and see how the filmmakers brought one of comic books’ greatest characters to life.

Strange Company – Find out what it’s like for the cast to work on a Marvel film, and how Director Scott Derrickson engineered one of the most ambitious, imaginative films ever.

The Fabric of Reality – Take a closer look at the movie’s extraordinary sets, meticulously crafted costumes and amazingly detailed production elements.

Across Time and Space – Explore the countless hours of dance and fight choreography the actors endured in preparation for their physically demanding roles.

The Score-cerer Supreme – Join Composer Michael Giacchino and a full orchestra during live recording sessions, and experience the movie’s mind-bending music.

Marvel Studios Phase 3 Exclusive Look – Get an early peek at Marvel’s spectacular upcoming films, including Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War.

Team Thor: Part 2 – See more of the hilarious partnership between Thor and his roommate Darryl in this satirical short.

Marvel Studios Phase 3 Exclusive Look – Get an early peek at Marvel’s spectacular upcoming films, including Marvel Studios’ Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Thor: Ragnarok, Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War.

Team Thor: Part 2 – See more of the hilarious partnership between Thor and his roommate Darryl in this satirical short.

• Deleted Scenes — “Strange Meets Daniel Drumm”, “Kaecilius Searches for Answers”, “The Kamar-Taj Courtyard”, “Making Contact”, and “Lost in Kathmandu”

• Gag Reel

• Audio Commentary by Director Scott Derrickson

Have you seen Doctor Strange? Let us know what you thought of the film by leaving a review here!



Comments & Discussion

  1. Samantha • March 1, 2017 @ 9:39 AM

    Great movie, I loved it.

  2. CDubya • March 1, 2017 @ 11:41 AM

    I had a daughter born this year and was not able to see it until it came out yesterday on my cable provider. I was in awe with the effects. In a movie like this, you need CGI to help tell the story. Inception started it, and Doctor Strange took the ball and ran with it! Whoa. I will watch it again to get a better understanding and see what I might have missed. Anyone notice how Benedict plays Sherlock Holmes and now he’s playing a Marvel Superhero and Robert Downey Jr played a Marvel Superhero first then Sherlock Holmes and both actors had Rachel McAdams as their girlfriend in a Sherlock piece or Marvel movie? I wonder if she will show up with Doctor Strange in an Avengers movie and if it might be acknowledged if she meets Iron Man? hmmmm ?


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