Sam Raimi returns to both the director's chair and the comic-book movie genre to deliver the MCU's first horror styled movie. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is exactly the kind of bonkers you'd expect from The Evil Dead director, and is still in keeping with the MCU. Stephen Strange is the perfect character for a fringe story like this because his work with the mystic arts puts him way out on the edge of everything, and Multiverse of Madness takes us deeper into that world. Only this time we're able to explore what happens when his genius - and the arrogance that comes with it - gets the better of this supremo sorcerer. Something which raises a few trust issues here and there. Cumberbatch continues to excel in the role as he opens up the character. We've seen his bravado and his attitude - there's plenty more of it here, too - but Multiverse of Madness exposes us to who he is under that shield of sarcasm, and what it has cost him to get where he is.
I was expecting this to be more tied in with the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, given Wong (Benedict Wong)'s stern warning and Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor)'s words first heard in the trailer (which first aired on the end of No Way Home). Instead Spidey's latest solo adventure feels more like an introduction, before the good doctor crashes into the multiverse with all the finesse of a Hulk smash. At the same time it makes for an interesting next step in Wanda's journey post WandaVision. She's definitely endured more suffering than most, and yet Multiverse of Madness allows Elizabeth Olsen to play her in such a way that makes it difficult for us not to empathise with her - even in her darkest moments. And of course with witchery and wizardry (or should that be sorcery?) afoot, there's plenty of colourful action to go with Strange's signature sarcasm. Only this time, with Sam Raimi involved, things get weird. Throw in a little inter-dimensional travel, and you can see where the madness comes from too!
That's one thing Multiverse of Madness does very well - the madness. So many worlds, all varyingly different, could make for quite a maddening experience. It certainly seems to have that effect on those who travel between worlds, including Strange and his new friend America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), which leads to a rather highly anticipated cameo. Gomez makes a welcome addition to the MCU, playing a character who quite literally has the weight of worlds on her shoulders, on top of all the usual angst and cockiness that teenagers are known for. It's a shame however, given her abilities, that we don't get to see more of the multiverse. Apart from a brief scene in which our heroes quite literally tumble through a whole host of very different universes, they really are restricted to just two or three outside of our own. Not exactly the romp across universes that I was hoping for.
On the bright side at least, both Rachel McAdams and Benedict Wong get bigger roles this time around - Wong is certainly becoming a central figure in the MCU. But Multiverse of Madness also provides a rather unique opportunity. One in which fans get to glimpse what future members of the MCU could look like. Obviously when dealing with the multiverse (or Marvel Studios) nothing is set in stone, but it's great to see some new and familiar faces joining this big Marvel party.
Sam Raimi's return to the comic-book movie world takes Doctor Strange to the edge of... well, everything. It may not be the romp across universes the title suggests, but Marvel's first foray into the horror genre is still an exciting new step for the MCU, and we get to learn a little bit more about our favourite sorcerer along the way.
9/10
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