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Rating: 4.6/5
Review: "Doctor Strange 3D movie review" (115 minutes)

"Visually exciting and surreal, Doctor Strange provides an immersive experience that is complete with the excellent usage of 3D. The best superhero film of the year helps to reduce the fatigue of the superhero genre for me." 

This year sees a few superhero films and the superhero genre fatigue seems to be growing. However I didn't feel the fatigue kicking in when watching Doctor Strange. Doctor Strange, I would say, is the best superhero film of this year. There are heavy competitions such as the crowd-pleasing Captain America: Civil War, the entertaining Deadpool and the decent Superman Vs Batman, Suicide Squad and the alright X-men: Apocalypse. They may have their positive points but none can beat the surreal and stylish presentation and philosophy message of Doctor Strange.

The story: Not that Doctor Strange is all perfect but the whole experience including the great 3D forms a damn good entertainment. Doctor Strange may have a generic theme of 'believe in yourself' in the superhero genre. But director Scott Derrickson, famous for directing horror films, presents the film like a piece of art that you can't help but marvel (no pun intended) the beautiful sight. It has to be one of the best visually pleasing superhero film. Even the few action scenes are staged beautifully with surreal visuals.  Benedict Cumberbatch plays a great Stephen Strange. He has the charisma to pull off one of the most powerful superhero in Marvel. The rest of the cast is decent. Tilda Swinton also did a great job in portraying the calm and powerful Ancient One (who is originally an Asian). The film is paced decently and it does not feel boring at all. An arrogant neurosurgeon Stephen is met with a car accident. He meets the Ancient One in hope to restore his injuries. Along the way, he discovers more about life and himself. The philosophy of life is a refreshing take in the superhero genre. Music by Michael Giacchino is great too.

Though it has great positive points, it still has its noticeable flaws. Mads Mikkelsen is underused as the main villain. He acts like a filler for action scenes and story. After an exciting opening, he basically disappears until the last third of the film where he shows off his powers in a few visually exciting fight scenes. There is not enough emotions or background story to really understand his character. Although the film is decently paced, character's development is a little jarring especially Doctor Strange. His overnight change from an arrogant guy to a guy who will shoulder the responsibility of saving the world in the third act is a little too fast. Another thing is the forced humor in some scenes. I don't mind humor but the timing of some humor is off.

3D: As a post-converted 3D film, it displays an excellent addition depth. Its main highlights are during the visually exciting action scenes and the mind bending display of magic. It maintains the excellent sense of depth even during normal scenes without visual effects. It is good to see that the technology of post-converted 3D improving. Its excellent 3D is a great addition to the overall viewing.

Overall: Doctor Strange may be the last superhero film to be released for this year but it does not add to the rising fatigue of the superhero genre. In fact, it makes me more excited about the solo debuts of more superheroes. I hope DC Comics and Marvel will give more chances to adapt other superheroes for big screen. Doctor Strange in 3D is highly recommended.

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