DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

The multiverse has been blown wide open in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, both films and television shows exploring the possibilities of it all prior to the latest cinematic outing, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Expectations may be through the roof for just exactly who or what could show up in this film but let me just tell you there's much more to this film than any cameos you could possibly think of, and the film is all the better for it.

Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) casts a forbidden spell that opens the doorway to the multiverse, including alternate versions of himself, whose threat to humanity is too great for the combined forces of Strange, Wong (Benedict Wong), and Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen).

Sam Raimi is back in the director's chair for a comic book film for the first time since Spider-Man 3 in 2007. Hell, he hasn't even made a film at all since 2013 which just seems wrong. There's been plenty of worry that his voice as a filmmaker will be lost amidst the MCU machine and, while this does very much feel like another cog in that particular machine, Raimi's fingerprints are all over it as he takes us on a wicked joyride through the Multiverse of Madness. 

This is the most daring they've been when it comes to including horror elements in one of their films and Raimi ensures they push the rating boundaries as much as possible with some imagery and content that will definitely cause a few kids to get scared. Alongside that, there's some inventive and swift camerawork from John Mathieson that screams to the audience they're very much in the middle of a Raimi film. The addition of a Danny Elflman score only solidifies this further while adding another dimension to it all, incredibly playful yet emotive when required. 

It's the writing where the film finds itself stuck in a bit of a rut, Michael Waldron going a bit by-the-numbers with the script that is incredibly predictable and full of a fair bit of exposition. There's some poignant moments for both Strange and Wanda which is where the film is at its strongest but there isn't enough of it throughout unfortunately. There's cameos that come into play (don't worry you're safe from spoilers here) but they feel a little awkwardly stuffed in quite honestly, even if they are a very fun inclusion to the film.

Benedict Cumberbatch has struck gold with this role and he revels in playing a batch of this character throughout, the arrogance of Strange combining with a reflective insight into his past makes this one of his more memorable performances in the role. It's Elizabeth Olsen who serves as the film's most valuable player though as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, delivering such a devastatingly layered performance in both roles. Her Scarlet Witch in particular is terrifying but with a purpose and Olsen conveys a range of emotions so effortlessly throughout. Quite simply, she's one of best casting choices made since the MCU's inception back in 2008.

Along for the ride are Benedict Wong as Wong, who once again gets a lot of the funnier lines which becomes a little frustrating considering Wong's talent as an actor. Rachel McAdams gets a lot more to do here than you'd expect considering her past in the franchise but still nowhere near enough for an actress of her calibre. Newcomer Xochitl Gomez makes a little splash as America Chavez, a multiversal traveller who the entire plot revolves around, but I'd expect to see more from her in the future of the MCU. The aforementioned cameos, while enjoyable to see the characters, don't exactly set the world alight in all honesty when it comes to their performances.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness does exactly what it says on the tin, plonking the titular hero in the middle of a multiversal adventure that doesn't hang about in getting straight to the madness. As Peter Parker once asked Strange, "The multiverse is real?" and Sam Raimi answers it with a resounding yes that, while flawed, provides copious amounts of sheer entertainment throughout.

Verdict: ★★★★