‘Doctor Strange’ conjures up flashy magic, but could’ve been more

Benedict Cumberbatch as the sorcerer superhero

Marvel’s latest superhero film explores the magical realms of its cinematic universe in the visually grandiose but narratively compressed “Doctor Strange,” starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the surgeon-turned-sorcerer superhero.

In the film by Scott Derrickson (“The Exorcism of Emily Rose”), the exceptionally skilled but vain Dr. Stephen Strange injures both his hands in a car accident, resulting in his search for ways to heal them and to resume his career.

But after delicate and expensive procedures leave him penniless, he goes to Nepal to look for a miracle—but ends up becoming acquainted with the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), the Earth’s current “Sorcerer Supreme” and mentor to a select few with the potential to be good mystics.

The wayward magic-user Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), however, endangers not only her students, but all of humanity, forcing Doctor Strange to take a side in a war that he never imagined to be part of.

“Doctor Strange” has heady, physics-defying battles and trippy reality-bending imagery. It’s not limited to those glowy, CGI patterns that accompany spell-casting; there’s also a number of impressive combat scenarios and stunts that combine with perpetually moving background structures, à la “Inception.”

What’s lacking, however, is a more fleshed-out journey and transformation of the initially skeptical Doctor—he’s a quick study, sure, but the transition from broken mentee to exemplary student in the mystic arts is rather fast and abbreviated.

Tilda Swinton

Be that as it may, Cumberbatch makes a fine, unconventional superhero, looking strikingly similar to the comic book version. As Doctor Strange, he will appear in other pivotal Marvel films in the future, as story details in this solo film have connections to the bigger whole.

It’s a near-perfect cast, as well. Cumberbatch, Swinton, Mikkelsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor (as the sorcerer Mordo), Rachel McAdams (as Strange’s fellow surgeon Christine) and Benedict Wong (as the librarian Wong) perform cohesively, and are a joy to watch together.

This introductory chapter, however, could’ve been bigger, threat-wise, even when it does introduce a sizeable menace to keep the spell-wielding heroes busy. Introducing several concepts that enrich the mythology of the shared film universe, “Doctor Strange” entertains, but really, it could’ve been more thorough and complex.