REVIEW: DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

4/5

Strange New Worlds.

126 Mins. Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Xochitl Gomez, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Michael Stuhlbarg & Rachel McAdams. Director: Sam Raimi. 

When you're Strange, not only are you going grey in the coolest way (hair envy). You also get to play father figure to some teens in need of one direction like Harry Styles of power, responsibility and all that jazz in New York. And from Baker Street to the Sanctum Sanctorum of Bleecker Street, now fellow 'Sherlock' Robert Downey Jr. took his homecoming last charge as Iron Man in the 'Endgame', following the holding up of that one finger. Benedict Cumberbatch's Steven Strange is playing pops. From "Scooby Doo-ing this crap" spider's who were 'Far From Home', but now have 'No Way' (and we STILL won't spoil, just like this movie won't in reference to what came before (well played)). To teens who represent America so much it's actually their last name as they punch a hole through this 'Multiverse Of Madness' with a denim studded jacket star power surge looking like a whole new shield, Cap. After Jared Leto's 'Morbius' in a Sony CGI coffin of the early 2000's played in the sandbox with the timelines even more for this post-Spider verse, Strange days take center stage again as things are getting that Doctor's surname way like Netflix in Hawkins this month. You won't just be wondering 'What If...?' like Jeffrey Wright. You'll be living it as you go through more strange new worlds than the time Rocket and Yondu looked like their eyes were trippin' off some real Fleetwood Mac in 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2'. One of the good Doctor's variants and a blink and you'll miss it time-jump isn't the only thing that confirms it's all connected and animated like the walking dead of Marvel zombies. This 'Multiverse' brings it all to the roundtable for all those cameos taking their seat in a classic moment that will have you gasping for air and grasping for the arm next to you. Madness? This. Is. Marvel! 

Maverick aviators! Those who wished upon a rumor that Tom Cruise himself would be playing an Iron Man variant of Tony Stark who keeps Thanos' head in a pickled mason jar, don't hold your Zero G breath. Just wait for his long awaited 'Top Gun' sequel coming at the end of this month after the first film came out...WHEN THIS ALMOST 40 YEAR OLD WRITER WAS ONE YEAR YOUNG! Don't waste the whole 126 minute runtime of this movie waiting in anticipation. You've been  35 years patient for the other thing. This is the one we will spoil, because it will your enjoyment if you expect him to make a landing here (trust me). Don't Goose yourself! Turns out this was as much as a joke as that faux credit roll that had so many big names in it, it descended into the farce of Vin Diesel as Dominic Toretto (but he is Groot) and the rest of his 'Fast' family (well...maybe not Justin Lin). The cameos are just as good as all that. If not better. Especially a post-credits one before the final  frame with a cult cameo is on some 'Deadpool' or detention, jokes on you message....and NO! It's not Ryan Reynolds or Chris Evans. We won't reveal who exactly has a seat at the table. Even if the Internet has broke all that along with official trailers of familiar voices and Superbowl spots of superhero sightings. All we can say is if we're just going off names along and not the heart that we got 'No Way Home', this even webs up all the cameos in the last massive movie from the Marvel machine. The next phase from the M.C.U. in this Multiverse of madness is set to stun. Just book your seat before some troll on social media kicks the back of it by talking too much. Waiting a month in Japan for 'Spider-Man' had the rumoured reveal (see how we're still not biting? Watch and learn "reputable" review sites) ruined literally on the eve of its Far East. Having this one strangely a day early felt so refreshing. And the epic entertainment was enjoyed even more. Excelsior like the Japanese café! Now that's something you should Google if you don't know. 

Classic cameos don't even distract from the sublime story, even if the last paragraph of this review did. Bleecker Street's finest has a lot more to deal with than his spells looking like he's wondering who ordered these two pepperonis. But turning his Catherine Wheel, sparkling orange wizard fairy dust into a circular saw that cuts the tentacles off a seeing eye monster of an octopus out of a Beatles garden is the coolest thing this side of the 'The Secrets Of Dumbledore', in this month of a whole new wizarding world, following the latest 'Fantastic Beasts' featuring former Strange foe Mads Mikkelsen. Squid games indeed. Complete with something that has as much character as his cape too that still deserves an acting credit. Disney and Marvel's Sorcerer Supreme (well...not yet) has more alter-ego's (one of them looking like 'Bro Strange') than Oscar Isaac's 'Moon Knight' and having 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' premiere on the same day as the final episode of the refreshing Disney + show is real as both big pictures take that tried and tested Marvel formula and add some fizz and bang. That's what happens when legendary 'Spider-Man' trilogy director Sam Raimi (a master ahold of the dark arts) adds the 'Evil Dead' of his haunted horror elements to a Mickey Mouse movie you really should see for yourself before you choose to bring your children. Real Sorcerer Supreme Benedict Wong is back after stealing the show in 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' last Summer with a karaoke number (even that one. We refuse to reveal. It's just the best post-creds scene ever) and this time unlike 'Infinity War', 'No Way Home' and 'Shang-Chi', he's not just pissing off in a portal again, but getting in on the amazing action. "Is that everyone?" "What you wanted more?!" Even with all the cameos? OK...here you go. It's been a long time since Scott Derrickson's (the original director of this sequel and now an executive producer credit) 'Doctor Strange' (2016) and those wanting to know what happened to '12 Years A Slave' legend Chiwetel Ejiofor's turncoat character will finally be satisfied with more than fan service and a pretty awesome new look. Rachel McAdams also gets her due with even more involvement following her heartbreaking 'What If...?' episode. The most moving and meaningful of the set. Even Michael Stuhlbarg (whose 'Call Me By Your Name' speech still mends and breaks our heart all over again) takes a pew. It's Elizabeth Olsen though, fresh off last year's first and best (and there's been six of them now) six part Marvel miniseries 'WandaVision', who appearing here like Strange in 'Spider-Man' or those crossover comics is the beating and bruised heart and soul of this story. In her Scarlet witching hour to the letter, to wonder on Wanda and to reveal more like who it was all along would be as much as a disservice as ruining those cameos. Even if you have your fan theories. But even with her crux catalyst, it's 'The Bay-Sitters Club' member Xochitl Gomez who steals the show here as America Chavez. A star and superhero who here has her own movie. Let alone (we hope) the Disney + teen show she deserves like 'Ms. Marvel'. With Wong standing by her side stating the fan hate was wrong and shameful as it is after she responded to it with such grace. No matter if this movie has been banned in territories like Saudi Arabia after Marvel refused to cut out the scenes in references to Chavez's mothers (good job) like the 'Fantastic' relationship between Dumbledore and Grindelwald being nixed by China. This is America and like it or not, she is here to stay. No matter who she loves. And this is the way it should be for him, her, they, them and anybody who wants to be exactly who they want to be. In this multifaceted world we live in where everyone has their own story and right to tell it. It's not strange. It's marvelous. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Doctor Strange', 'WandaVision', 'Spider-Man: No Way Home'.