Marvel Universe: Wacky «Doctor Strange» Sequel by Sam Raimi

Marvel universe
Wacky «Doctor Strange» sequel by Sam Raimi

Filmmaker Sam Raimi created a cult phenomenon in the 80s with the horror film series “Dance of the Devil” and brought the first “Spider-Man” trilogy to the cinema in the 2000s.

Most recently, the 62-year-old appeared primarily as an author and producer. The aptly and delightfully titled Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness is Raimi’s first directing work for the cinema in nearly a decade. And he let off steam.

Crazy multiverse

As the film’s title suggests, Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) has to deal with the pitfalls of the mad multiverse in his fifth screen appearance. The concept was already the core of the plot of “Spider-Man: No Way Home” last year, in which Strange was also involved. In addition to the known universe, there are countless others in which things work out differently. There, friends can be enemies – or vice versa.

Now, Strange himself travels between universes to protect young America Chavez (16-year-old Xochitl Gomez) from a supposed demon. America, who appeared in Strange’s dream, has the power to move around the multiverse at will. In fact, Strange’s dream was an alternate-universe reality.

When America is being pursued by a giant one-eyed octopus in New York, Doctor Strange comes to her aid. In fact, he soon discovers that it’s not a demon after the teenager, but Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlett Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). She wants to steal America’s powers in order to lead a different life as a mother of two sons in another universe. So far, so bizarre.

Marvel Universe full of allusions

“Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness” is the 28th film from the ever-growing Marvel Cinematic Universe, MCU for short, whose plot began in 2008 with “Iron Man” and has been continuously updated in films and series ever since.

Those unfamiliar with the MCU might feel lost. Because Raimi’s Films ties directly to the events of the successful TV series “WandaVision” and the most recent “Spider-Man” film. It’s also full of references to the “Avengers” movies and other Marvel productions – even those that haven’t previously been part of the MCU. The multiverse makes it possible.

Long-time Marvel fans, on the other hand, can look forward to some well-known guest appearances. Both past and future stars of the franchise star in what is by far the most entertaining part of the comic adventure’s spectacular middle section.

Until then, however, there is an hour of what was also the order of the day in the 27 MCU films before and which is increasingly tiring: flying and waving heroes and heroines who throw fireballs and similar things around in front of an artificial CGI backdrop.

At least Raimi puts his stamp on the film in the second half. “Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness” is undoubtedly the bloodiest and most brutal MCU film to date and has almost developed into a horror film in the meantime – unfortunately without becoming really exciting.

So it takes a while, but then «Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness» gets so much going that you have to pay close attention to be able to follow it at all. Don’t question the plot too much. Because as unlimited as the multiverse may be – the idea quickly reaches its limits.

As has long been the case with Marvel, Sam Raimi’s cinema comeback ends with a cliffhanger and teases the next prominent newcomer in the MCU in the credits. All in all, while this is great fun for Marvel fans. But if you don’t count yourself among them, you won’t be able to do much with this crazy film – no matter in which universe.

Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness, USA 2022, 126 min., FSK 12, by Sam Raimi, with Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Xochitl Gomez, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams

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