Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a 2022 Marvel studious production.
Directed by Sam Raimi, written by Micheal Waldron and produced by Kevin Feige, it falls in the genre of sci-fi and action.
The plot revolves around Dr Strange (Benedict Cumbersome), Elizabeth Olsen (the scarlet witch), Rachel McAdams (the mother), Rachel McAdams (Christine Palmer), Wong (Benedict Wong) and America Chavez (Xochitli Gomez).
The film opens on a battle between Dr. Strange and America. Dr Strange wants to kill her because he believes her sacrifice is for the greater good.
The scene shifts to Christine’s wedding, Steve’s ex-wife. Steveis upset, because he still truly loves her and attempts to conceal his feelings by asking Christine,
‘Are you happy?’
Does the question lie at the heart of the film?
Is everyone happy with the choices they make or does happiness come at the cost of having to sacrifice what you love the most?
The title of the film Multiverse of Madness is apt. What is a multiverse? It is an incursion. It means to travel from one universe to another.
The costume design is good. Done by Graham Churchyard, it is in sync with the supernatural theme. The red cloak of Dr Strange, and the black costume with Wanda’s cat-like eyes captivate the audience. The costumes are what make the film outstanding. The black contrasted with the red is the fierce passion versus dark forces.
Enters Wanda, the scarlet witch. She and the mother are at war with their conflicting personalities. There is a tussle between love and hate. She dreams of her children and wakes up only to find no truth in it. She says:
‘Every night it is the same dream and every morning the same nightmare.’
The split personality of the mother points to an important reality-the love and strength of family. Wanda holds Dr Strange responsible for taking her children away.
She cannot bring to reconcile her double identity. How will her mind and body be freed? Will love do the miracle? Will the spell finally break?
An important dialogue occurs when the witch says, ‘I’m not a monster. I’m a mother.’ It makes the viewer see the human side of the witch.
So then who is the real enemy? Dr Strange or the scarlet witch? Will America be saved or will she lose her life at the hands of witchcraft?
Dr Strange is put through many trials. Will he survive through them? Will he succeed or will he fail in his mission?
Meanwhile, Christine holds, Dr Strange and America hostage. She works as a surgeon in a hospital. In an act of revenge, she captures Steve and America.
The film offers comic relief. As Steve throws mustard in the eyes of a vendor to let America take free food from him, the audience is sent into a ripple of laughter.
The story returns to the book of Vishna. Dr Strange believes it is a fairytale and doesn’t exist. But it does and as it is destroyed, with it, the witch is set free!
‘I opened the dark hole. I’ll close it now I won’t be tempted by the dark hole again.’
The film ends on a note of reconciliation between Steve and Christine. He wishes to show her his beautiful universe but time is running out and Christine has to leave.
She exits leaving behind the message to ‘Face your fears.’
On the whole, a great film! Dr Strange will return! Is that hinting at a sequel? I will not reveal. Keep a lookout! Clapping to the entire cast and crew for coming up with a remarkable film.
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