Doctor Strange has delivered Marvel’s most bonkers, visually stunning film yet
The Sun's film columnist breaks down this week's releases starting with Marvel's new addition to the superhero genre
Doctor Strange
(12A) 115mins
MARVEL has had an absolutely brilliant year.
Deadpool reinvigorated its more adult catalogue, Captain America: Civil War brought home the bacon and Doctor Strange has just delivered its most bonkers, visually stunning film yet.
Benedict Cumberbatch plays the brilliant Stephen Strange, a hugely talented surgeon with a fondness for fast cars.
A crash in one of those cars leaves his hands badly injured — destroying his career and sending him on a journey to Nepal in search of a mysterious healer who can cure the incurable.
Instead, he finds this person is helping to safeguard the Earth from destruction with some incredible magic.
The choice between saving his hands and helping to save the world from a sinister force isn’t an easy one.
The final showdown is a kaleidoscopic charge through New York, as if the entire cinema has been engulfed in LSD and the popcorn swapped for mushrooms. (Please note that I do not endorse either of those.)
This film will send Cumberbatch into the stratosphere of superstardom.
He was born to play the Doctor, showing he has every bit as much comic timing as Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark — and more charm than the rest of the Avengers put together.
He brings some gravitas and, in a weird way, credibility. An odd phrase to use, perhaps, but it feels quite a step up for the studio and a leap of faith for Benedict into the Marvel universe.
The inclusion of Tilda Swinton and Mads Mikkelsen confirms that.
This movie is fun, ironic and absolutely nuts, like Inception on Viagra.
It is mind-bogglingly good but also a very different kind of Marvel film.
It feels intelligent. That is not doing a disservice to the other movies in the stable, but this feels . . . classier.
Doctor Strange shows a company growing into adulthood with its audience
Younger children might miss the whizz-bang of some Marvel movies but mine (aged eight and over) loved it.
The only elephant in the room was Benedict’s American accent.
I wasn’t expecting him to have one — and certainly not one just like Kiefer Sutherland, even down to the raspy whispering. Sorry for pointing it out. Once you know it, you can never forget.
There are nods to the wider Marvel universe throughout, explaining the need for the sorcerers.
In short, Iron Man, Spider-Man and co take care of physical dangers, while the Strange crew are for spiritual matters. All bases are covered.
If Iron Man was Marvel’s infancy and Guardians Of The Galaxy the awkward teenage years, Doctor Strange, teamed with Deadpool and Civil War, shows a company growing into adulthood with its audience. The result is an absolute joy.
Goodness knows what brownies they have in the Marvel canteen but I would quite like some for tea.
★★★★★
Ethel & Ernest
(PG) 95mins
I DON’T know of anyone who has not been mesmerised by Raymond Briggs’ beautiful pencil drawings and simple, charming stories.
Ethel &; Ernest details (and, I’m sure, slightly embellishes) his parents’ ordinary lives.
The couple live through World War Two, the moon landing, legalisation of homosexuality and the advent of women MPs.
At a time when people were judged harshly on class and status, our two lovebirds overcome all of this for a life of enduring love.
My only gripe would be that the beautiful, hand-shaded look of Father Christmas and The Snowman has been edged out in favour of a more computerised styling and colouring, which probably appeals more to today’s children.
Brought delightfully to life by the ever- incredible Brenda Blethyn and Jim Broadbent, Ethel & Ernest is a poignant and delicate tribute to Raymond’s parents and times past.
★★★☆☆
Starfish
(15) 95mins
HYPOCHONDRIACS beware – this movie based on a true story will have you calling the doctor.
Devoted dad Tom Ray (Tom Riley) goes for a lie down after developing a fever.
But he needs to be in hospital straight away because a delay in treatment leads him to lose his arms and legs.
If that all sounds a bit Casualty, Starfish is in fact a very thoughtful and tender examination of a relationship that is tested to the absolute limit.
Downton Abbey’s Joanne Froggatt gives a raw and honest performance as Tom’s wife Nic, suggesting awards will come her way if she gets the bigger roles she deserves.
★★★☆☆
Train to Busan
This Korean (subtitled) zombie flick is perfect if you’re after a fun horror flick for Halloween.
A virus outbreak has sent Korea into meltdown but this is no dysentery disaster - everyone becomes a bloodthirsty zombie killer.
To focus on the story we follow the path of a divorced government worker and his young daughter on a bullet train journey, which annoyingly allowed on one single infected person.
Cue a fight for survival and a stylish, exciting film that deserves a decent audience.
It punches well above it’s weight - offering a good social viewpoint on privilege as well as plenty of unpredictable scares.The accolades bestowed upon it are worthy - if you get a chance, do watch, through your fingers...mwahahaha!