DR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

US, 2022, 126 minutes, Colour.

Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwitel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xociti Gomez, Rachel McAdams, Michael Stuhlbarg, Sheila Atim, Patrick Stewart, John Krasinski, Hayley Atwell, Bruce Campbell, Charlize Theron, Anson Mount.

Directed by Sam Raimi.

Box-office -wise, we seem to find ourselves in a world of contemporary multiverses - especially if we are devotees of Spiderman (with Dr Strange himself turning up there, wherever there is). But, more recently, the Daniels were able to sum it up: Everything Everywhere All at Once. Which is, more or less, what is happening in this on-screen multi-verse of madness (with many versions of Dr Strange!).

There is so much whirl of colour, sound, special effects in the opening credit – but that is a foretaste of things to come, only more so!

Which led to the continual question: what is the collective noun for a multi-verse of universes? The mood of the film initially suggested,

a Pot – Puri of universes?

So, here is Benedict Cumberbatch back again after some Spiderman and Avengers adventures, mindful of his initial role as a surgeon, now conscious of his status as magician, his super powers. Benedict Wong is back. Chiwitel Ejiofor is back – and the touch of the villain. And, maybe not quite as romantically as we had hoped, Rachel McAdams is back as Christine. But Tilda Swinton is not back.

The other looming presence here is Elizabeth Olsen, having had great television success as Wanda Wandavision. She mentions that in moving from universe to universe (and there is one spectacular sequence where we are whisked through a multitude of universes, including an animated one), that the characters are Dream walking.

A Dreamwalking of universes?

Central to this adventure is the young woman, America Xotici Gomez, wandering the universes, encountering Dr Strange, needing to be rescued, but also needing to affirm her own superpowers, especially in confrontations with Wanda (who in one universe/or more is a power hungry witch but who in another is a devoted mother).

A kaleidoscope of universes?

This is reinforced by Dr Strange confronted by a panel of powers that be, presided over by, of all characters, Patrick Stewart’s Dr Xavier, with other superheroes led by John Krasinski signalling The Fantastic Four and Hayley Atwell coming from Captain America.

There is no point in asking the reader if they are still with me! Cause and effect have no place much in this scenario, little place for logic – one thing happens, than another, then another, and even more…

So, what are we watching, why are we watching it, fascinated by Benedict Cumberbatch? Intrigued as to what might happen next because it is so unpredictable?

And unpredictability of universes?

1. Place of Dr Strange in the Marvel Universe? In his own right, in his own story? In the Spiderman story?
2. The previous film giving his background, doctor, surgeon, experience, moving into the mystic Marvel world? His transformation? Superpowers? The audience relying on this knowledge?
3. The pre-credit sequence, action, special effects, atmosphere of wonder? This prevailing throughout the film?
4. The character of Stephen Strange, his life, Christine, past love, her marriage, his presence, the discussion?
5. The presence of the young girl, America, the interactions with Dr Strange, the rescue? The tour through the many universes, the visuals, the characters in each, the atmosphere?
6. The presence of Wanda, her place in the Marvel Universe, powers, her having children in the universe, her motherliness? In other universes, power, witchcraft and magic? Her becoming the villain? In each universe, the exercise of power, her returning to the family, the boys, the reaction to her? The struggle within herself? The conflict with Dr Strange? The succession of visual conflicts, ogres and giants, monsters, special effects, transformations in Dr Strange, his different characters in the different universes?
7. America, in distress, Dr Strange to the rescue, their adventures together, her character, the flashback to her mother’s, wandering, her powers? Sharing the adventures, the dangers, finding herself, exercising her powers, the confrontation with Wanda?
8. The presence of Baron, in the previous film, power, friend with Dr Strange, enemy, his role in the multi-verse, dignity, costume, power? The assembling of the judges? The presence of the leader of the Fantastic Four? Other members? The leader from Captain America? The unexpected presence of Patrick Stewart and Dr Xavier? The confrontation with Dr Strange? With Wanda? The confrontation, the battles, the deaths?
9. The nature of the narrative, little cause and effect, a succession of multi-verse episodes?
10. The reintroduction of Christine, in different universes, in the universe for the final confrontation? Memories of Stephen? His love for her, declarations? Her response? Helping with the resolution?
11. The dramatic buildup to the final confrontation, the crisis for Wanda? Her children, the witch, the interaction between the two? Her final decision?
12. America, the encouragement of Stephen, finding herself, exercising her powers?
13. Stephen returning to ordinary life, but the transformation, Dr Strange with the eye in his forehead?
14. Anticipation of further adventures, the appearance of Charlize Theron?
15. The final post-credits to, star Bruce Campbell, selling the pieces, forced to punch himself three weeks – and, “it’s over”!