Today we'll be looking at the film that turned around Marvel's cinematic fortunes, brought Hong Kong-style action (back) into the mainstream in a big way, and kept Stephen Dorff off the streets for another few months.
Given the expense and the subject matter, I don't think a Doctor Strange straight from the comics page would have clicked. Of course, this version didn't either.
The plot is pretty frail, borrowing heavily from Mad Max. But the real purpose of this movie is to serve as a "greatest hits" for the series, showcasing fight scene after artery-busting fight scene.
Let me see if I can make sense of what I just said there: the tension-building aspects work so well because Dougherty establishes early on that his cast can bite it at any time (even little kids).
I’m tempted to say that this is targeted to kids and give it a pass on those merits, but that would be a slight to younger viewers who could be exploring richer DC productions from the back catalogue like JL:U or Batman: The Animated Series.
If you haven't seen it before, I'd recommend checking thjis movie out, even if only for the costumes and the soundtrack. But dig a little deeper and you might find a genuinely enjoyable movie at its core.
Even in his delusion he's only able to execute practical feats that combined common sense, observation, and willingness to punish one's body would allow.
It won't hurt to approach this movie with the enthusiasm of a 10 year old boy who couldn't wait to watch the next summer action spectacle. If you do so, just try your best to stomach the gushy kiss scenes.
However, this is something of a double-edged sword, as the filmmakers spend so much time and effort paying such close attention to the examination of Batman that the rest of the characters go to waste.
