Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

_Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness_ is dark, silly, and fan pleasing. The film is at is most bewitching when Sam Raimi can let his horror roots be showcased. It will satisfy horror and superhero film fans alike, but would have and could have been even better if Raimi was allowed to dive even further into the horror genre. Be sure to stay after the credits, as well. There are two after credits sequences with the final one being so absurdly on the nose for Sam Raimi that it may be the most entertaining part of the film. **Full review:** https://hubpages.com/entertainment/Doctor-Strange-in-the-Multiverse-of-Madness-2022-Review-Sam-Raimi-Finally-Brings-Horror-to-the-MCU

Rewatched for the Once Upon a Franchise podcast. Listen to the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/23iTZkYlM2ujCD1OW87xut?si=3c6f3dccb9df4a7d Rating: B+ DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS works slightly better on a rewatch because the flaws I had on first watch weigh less than they used to and Sam Raimi's direction does wonders. His horror-soaked style, the Strange vs. Strange fight, Wanda's siege on Kamar-Taj, Danny Elfman's gothic score, and Elizabeth Olsen's performance make this one of the most visually unique films in the MCU. But the messy connection to WANDAVISION, the underwritten America Chavez, and the CGI-heavy seams of a turbulent COVID-era production keep it from being the movie it could have been. As Wong says, "Sometimes I do wonder of my other lives. Yet I remain grateful in this one... even with its tribulations." I do wonder what this could have been if everyone had been aligned, but I remain grateful for what we got: a pretty damn good film on its own terms.

Whilst I really did quite enjoy this - and it was great to be in a busy cinema again - it's really more of a testament to the skills of the VFX guys rather than to any of the writers. The story is really pretty thin with the engaging and confident Benedict Cumberbatch joining forces with the charismatic and feisty young Xochitl Gomez' "America" - a young lady who has been appearing in his dreams. Turns out, she can cross from one universe to another - and soon both are being sought by the mighty Elizabeth Olsen's "Wanda Maximoff" (surely a "Bond" girl?) who wants control of time so she can get back to her lost family, yada yada... Benedict Wong features sparingly, but always adds a little value as the "Sorcerer Supreme" and there are a few cameos from Charlize Theron and Sir Patrick Stewart to help prop up what is, admittedly, a pretty meagre second half. I think this multiverse strand could provide Marvel with the gift that keeps on giving, but they have got to tighten the pace up - two hours for this was just too long; the plot doesn't sustain it and though the combat scenes are nothing to the length in the "Avengers" movies; there is still far too much slack here. It does look and sound great on a big screen, though, and I am now warming to the star in the role (and his intuitive flying cape). Fun, but flawed.