Review of “Doctor Strange” (no spoilers)

* * * B

I really liked this additional to the Marvel cinematic universe, but would say it was good, rather than great. It does a great job with the origin story. One of the major plot lines from the comic book is fairly skillfully interleaved, becoming dominant in the second half of the film. Action is solid, effects good. As with the Guardians of the Galaxy, there are a number of tie ins with the Avengers story.

Brit Benedict “Sherlock” Cumberbatch does a good job playing the American Steven Strange. Rachel McAdams plays his love interest and every-woman convincingly. Tilda Swinton is once again interestingly cast, this time in the role of Strange’s mentor, the Ancient One. She manages to make this work well. Mads “Hannibal” Mikkelsen is a refreshingly intelligent adversary as Kaecilius.

If you look at who’s been cast for the “Avengers: Infinity War”, due out in 2018, you’ll see that Strange, along with Master Wong (Benedict Wong) are in the cast of characters, along with the Guardians and (at least) the Scarlett Witch, Bucky Barnes, Nick Fury, and Vision. Even sooner, Strange will play a part in “Thor: Ragnarok”, due in 2017. The presence of Hulk in the cast of characters of that film has led to rumors that one of the plot lines will be based on Planet Hulk, one of the better known Incredible Hulk story lines.

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