Dr. Stephen Strange casts a forbidden spell that opens a portal to the multiverse. However, a threat emerges that may be too big for his team to handle.

Review

Stephen (Guest Reviewer) – I was kind of upset that Scott Derrickson wasn’t going to be directing the Doctor Strange sequel, especially after he hinted at the film having strong horror elements. When the news dropped that he was out, I figured they’d opt for a journeyman who could whip up something with a Marvel recipe and get it done. Instead, they opted for Sam Raimi. Knowing his history in horror, this got me excited, and I’m happy to say that he delivered.

The current audience seems split between Sam Raimi fans (who loved it) and Marvel die-hards who dislike how Raimi colours outside the lines of their beloved formula.

Raimi rebels against the Marvel mantra of connecting everything in a way that cultivates continuity and catharsis forever and ever. Instead, Multiverse of Madness understands its place, a true opening of a multiverse where stakes are emotional instead of physical, ushering in a comic-like universe of films for the next era of Marvel. The interconnectedness of the film (and subsequent cameos, appearances and other details) is not the POINT of the film, and instead of just leaving them as hanging threads and hints to tease the audience, this film closes all the doors it opens, while reminding the audience that there is no door when there are infinite possibilities.

The directing is fantastic; Raimi leans into the absurd and silly; not merely making the multiversal elements seem cool, but weird and wacky too. Action is tight, and the cinematography is vibrant.

I won’t go into too much detail, but the film draws a (very hard) line defining Wanda Maximoff, in a way that previous films and TV shows (WandaVision specifically) didn’t commit to.

Cumberbatch gets to have fun too, playing a few interesting versions of himself, and Xochitl Gomez is the charming and utterly adorable emotional core of the film.

Overall, Multiverse of Madness is a film that will split the audience, but as a lover of the craft, and a fan of Raimi’s work, I give Multiverse of Madness 8/10.

Remember to be safe out there, wear your mask and get vaccinated to protect everyone around you.

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