Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness- A Review

Blog by Chloe Green | TuneFM team member

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

The 28th instalment of the MCU premiered on the 5th of May, and I attended the midnight screening at Belgrave cinema to see it. It’s no doubt that with such a star-studded and talented cast, the reviews from fans have been mostly positive. Directed by Sam Raimi, Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness utilises the horror elements Raimi is known for to create a tense, ‘on the edge of your seat’ style of film.  

 The movie drags us through multiple universes, with Dr Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) as they try to stop Wanda (Elizabeth Olsen) from stealing America’s powers. Our first introduction to the multiverse was, of course, during the LOKI series of Disney+, where Loki met multiple versions of himself. Due to this, it was no surprise to most when the trailers showed multiple Stephen Stranges. Fans dove headfirst into the trailers as they were released, theorising over every voice and scene.

The movie had high expectations to live up to, and it most certainly made big leaps to reach them.  

 One major reveal, is that the Illuminati (a group of Earth’s 838 strongest leaders), which consists of Reed Richards (John Krasinski) aka ‘Mr. Fantastic’, Chitwetel Ejiofor in a reprisal of his role as Baron Mordo, Hayley Atwell makes a live action appearance of her What If? character, Captain Carter, Lashana Lynch plays Maria Rambeau (universe 838’s Captain Marvel), Patrick Stewart (despite claiming he would not appear in the movie!) also reprised his role of Professor Charles Xavier. Another ‘surprise reprise’, if you will, was made by Anson Mount, who played Black Bolt in the 2017 Inhumans show on ABC. 

Interesting Easter Eggs 

 As always, the movie was filled with fun easter eggs, guest appearances, and loads of comic book references. 

• Raimi fans will have noticed that Pizza Poppa, the street Vender from universe 838, was played by Bruce Campbell. Bruce is famously known for his role as Ash Williams in Raimi’s Evil Dead. The actor appears in almost every one of Raimi’s films and takes the center stage in the end credit scene, parodying his role in Evil Dead. 
• Throughout the movie Dr. Strange and Wong (Benedict Wong) can be seen using some visually beautiful spells. These spells are taken directly from the Dr. Strange comics: the use of the chains of Krakkan, Demons of Denak and the vipers of Valdorr, reference classic spells from the comics. 
• Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) in universe 838, works as a fellow for the Baxter Foundation, Fantastic 4 fans may recognise this name from the 2015 movie, where the foundation was the home base for the team members and a think tank for young geniuses.  
• In the mid-credit scene, a mysterious lady in purple appears demanding Strange to fix an incursion he had caused. Many fans believe that the woman is Clea, Dr. Strange’s love interest from the comics. Clea is the Niece of Dormammu (the main villain from the first movie). It’s safe to say her relation to the inter-dimensional entity means she’ll have some bargaining to do with Strange in the next movie. 

The overall tone and style of the newest marvel instalment, really proves that marvel movies are ageing with their fans: this isn’t your typical Iron-man satire.

Instead, Raimi and the cast truly went above and beyond to create a grown-up movie filled with comedy and fan-favourite guests. 

Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is currently screening at Belgrave Cinema.

You can get your tickets online or at the cinema.

Happy watching!