Smashbomb

Search

Search results

All (3231)

Content

Mania

Lionel Shriver

8.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

What if calling someone stupid was illegal? In a reality not too distant from our own, the worst...

Speculative fiction

LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Doctor Strange (2016) in Movies

Feb 3, 2021

Doctor Strange (2016)

2016 | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

7.8

(161 Ratings)

Movie Rating

On the surface, you could argue that Doctor Strange isn't all that different from Iron Man in terms of structure. Rich, white dude with a goatee lives out his life, arrogantly full of himself until a life altering incident forces him to fight to survive, setting him on a path of betterment and redemption. Whilst this is unarguably true, the fact is that this movie is so much more than retreading familiar ground. Gone are the times where superhero movies play it safe. Guardians of the Galaxy may have knocked down the doors, but Doctor Strange takes the cosmic concept, and runs full speed with it. Marvel Studios have got to the point where they can make a movie about the Dark Dimension, the Mirror Dimension, the Sorcerer Supreme, Dormammu, the multiverse, and audiences will still lap it up, and I'm here for it.

Sinister director Scott Derrickson proves to be a smart choice, as he provides us a story that's humourous, full of heart, brimming with new lore, and is visually mind bending. The aesthetic if this movie is what sets it apart from its kin. Sure it doesn't stray too far from the Marvel formula, but it does something different. Many have compared it to Inception, which isn't an unfair note, and it makes for some wonderful looking set pieces.

Benedict Cumberbatch is picture perfect as Stephen Strange himself and is joined by a stellar supporting cast. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen, Benedict Wong, and Rachel McAdams are all great in their respective roles. Mikkelsen gives us a compelling villain in Kaecilius, jaded by an order he's followed for years and turning tail to pursue what he thinks is right (not to dissimilar to Thanos in that respect). We're also introduced briefly to Dormammu, which is certainly exciting to any fans of the comics. With the Infinity Saga all wrapped up, this could prove to be seed planting for a future big bad.

Doctor Strange could have easily just been another run of the mill origin story (which some believe it is, and that's ok!) but for me, it's so much more. It manages to build on Marvel lore, whilst teasing future story lines by flirting with the Multiverse and the Dark Dimension, all while never losing focus on its very human story. It's a fantastic first outing for one of Marvel's more out there characters and one of my favourites of the whole franchise.

Kudos

Pregnacise - Pregnancy Exercise App - Stay Fit and Healthy While Pregnant

Health & Fitness and Sports

(0 Ratings) Rate It

App

Staying fit in pregnancy means a healthier and safer birth for both you and your baby. Devised by...

Gail (4 KP) rated Falling into the Black in Books

Jun 4, 2018

Falling into the Black by Lauren Runow

Four Stars

This story was good. Evangeline has lost everything. The boy she loved moved away to college and then her parents die in a car accident. She didn’t let that stop her from making something of herself. Running away was the only option and changing her name was the first step. Though she is far away from the pain it still gets to her in her dreams. Carter is a doctor with a mission. He knows he can’t save every child’s life but that won’t stop him from trying. He connects to his patients and gets to know them outside of the doctor and patient relationship. Carter’s and Evangeline’s love will test time and change. Will all be forgiven when so much went unsaid? Is 10 years too long to jump right back where they left off? Or will Cole come in and take Carter’s place. I don’t really enjoy love triangles because someone eventually gets hurt. At first I was like ok Cole is the hot teacher that gets her to open up and fall in love again. But then you have Carter who has been looking for his lost love for years. Who do you pick and why them? I was a fan of Coles until he pulled all his shady moves. I liked Carter because he truly loved her and was drowning in misery from the lose of her. I enjoyed their moments in the club together and was shocked that he allowed her to continue with his best friend. The author wrote the characters with back bone and intelligence. I hope to continue reading more from this author.