Doctor Strange in the multiverse of Madness

It's interesting to see how Marvel movie adaptations have evolved from obscure low-budget productions (Punisher (1989), Captain America (1990), to perfectly mastered blockbusters based on carefully crafted scripts, perfect casting and impressive special effects (the so-called Marvel Cinematic Universe). However, far from being repetitive, each of these films managed to capture the attention of a large audience by showing that it was possible to adapt Marvel comics to the cinema while keeping the spirit of the comics intact. 

Of course, the film Superman (1978) by Richard Donner opened the way by showing the undeniable potential of superheroes in the cinema, but while DC comics found directors like Tim Burton with his Batman (1989) to take over ambitious adaptations in the cinema, it was not until Sam Raimi proposed the first Spider-man trilogy (2002-2007) that Marvel comics could stand up to DC comics adaptations, and above all, many superheroes like Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Thor, The Avengers, Ant-man and Doctor Strange to capture the attention of the public and propose that comic book adaptations could be done from many angles. 

Released in 2016 the first Doctor Strange directed by Scott Derrickson with actor Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role had been a real worldwide success and so we had to wait six years to discover this second part.  The return of Sam Raimi in the Marvel universe was for many spectators an excellent news as this gifted director had a very particular visual style and had marked our childhood by his other Evil Dead trilogy. So it's not a coincidence to find his favorite actor Bruce Campbell in two scenes (one in the middle and another at the end of the credits). The real question was to know if Sam Raimi, having not directed any film for nine years, would be able to surprise us again and redefine the Marvel cinematographic universe with a brand new approach. 

The result is certainly an undeniable success but it leaves us a bit hungry. Indeed, this direct sequel to Spider-Man No Way Home (2021) had the particularity of approaching the Multiverse and therefore of proposing, as in the Disney + What if animated series, superheroes from other universes and this is where the film disappoints because while we could have expected to see many superheroes, we will have to be content with finding Professor X (still played by actor Patrick Stewart), Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell resumes her role), Black Bolt (still played by Anson Mount) and especially Reeed Richards / Mr. Fantastic (John Krasinski is an excellent choice) and also the time of a scene the character of Clea (played by the sublime Charlize Theron).

Yet Doctor Strange in the multiverse of Madness is certainly an excellent new movie from Marvel Studios because even if the movie would have benefited from a less linear and unsurprising script, we can't deny the pleasure of seeing director Sam Raimi behind the camera and many scenes of the movie are as interesting as they are visually strong. The film also marks the farewell of a strong character of the Marvel cinematographic universe with Elizabeth Olsen who signs here her probable farewell to her character passed in this film on the wrong side. Doctor Strange in the multiverse of Madness is as much a sequel to the previous film as a strong conclusion to the Wandavision series.

In the same way Doctor Strange in the multiverse of Madness is a pivotal film of the Marve cinematographic universe, allowing to gather in the same film next to the members of the Avengers characters from X-men, Fantastic Four. We suspect that the character of Doctor Strange will be back either in a future dedicated movie or in an extension of the Avengers universe. In the meantime we can only advise you to discover this movie of the Marvel Cinematographic Universe and especially to stay until the very end of the credits to discover the two post credits scenes.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Directed by Sam Raimi
Screenplay by Jade Halley Bartlett, Michael Waldron
Based on Doctor Strange by Stan Lee, Steve Ditko
Produced by Kevin Feige
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen, Xochitl Gomez, Charlize Theron, Bruce Campbell, Patrick Stewart, John Krasinski 
Cinematography : John Mathieson
Edited by Bob Murawski
Music by Danny Elfman
Production company: Marvel Studios
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release date: May 4, 2022 (France), May 6, 2022 (United States)
Running time: 126 minutes

Seen on May 4, 2022 at Gaumont Disney Village, IMAX 3D Room, seat E17

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