"You break the rules and become a hero. I do it and I become the enemy. That doesn't seem fair."
Despite the epic scope of the concept of the multiverse, this Doctor Strange sequel actually keeps things relatively low-key. Sure, there's massive fights across multiple universe but actually the film is really about Doctor Strange trying to save a young girl's life.
Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is attending the wedding of Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) when a young girl appears in New York being chased by a giant octopus. It turns out she is America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) who can travel through the multiverse and is being pursued by someone trying to steal her powers. Strange seeks out the help of Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) for help but learns she is the one trying to capture Chavez in order to travel to another universe where her kids are alive. Strange and Chavez are forced to flee across the multiverse, pursued by Wanda.
This film is heavily tied in with Marvel's ongoing saga and comes with all the strengths and weaknesses that brings. I think to really understand and connect with the character arcs in this film you need to have seen Doctor Strange, Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, WandaVision and Spider-Man: No Way Home which might be a stretch for the casual viewer. On the other hand, if you follow the MCU closely this film is rewarding, especially with the way it takes an established character in Wanda Maximoff and pitches her in the villain role, complete with clear reasons for her actions.
I felt that the concept of the multiverse wasn't explored as much as it could have been. There's a brilliant sequence early on when Strange and Chavez fly through different universes in quick succession which is wonderful but I would have loved to have seen that extended at least a little bit more. Only a couple of alternate universes are really seen in any detail, one of which is filled with the superheroes of that universe, allowing for a neat bunch of cameos. I was pleased that the film didn't go too mad in trying to shoe-horn in endless cameos with the group all appearing together and serving the story.
I really liked Strange's relationship with Chavez in this film and it follows on rather nicely from his relationship with Spider-Man. He mentors her and keeps her safe but there's always the sense that he might not do right by her and it's interesting to see how that plays out. Cumberbatch and Gomez work together really well with the latter being a welcome newcomer to the MCU. Elizabeth Olsen is also great in this film, taking the dark side of the character we saw in WandaVision to a whole new level.
Since the film was first announced it was described as being the MCU's first "horror film" and though stylistically it does feel like other Marvel movies it certainly has some great horror sequences. Some of these come from terrifying creatures but actually more often than not it's the wrath of the Scarlet Witch who pushes the violence and terror of the MCU close to the boundaries of it's certificate.
I went in expecting a grand multiverse exploring epic but found myself watching a film which uses these concept to explore it's characters rather than the other way around. In that sense, the film didn't meet my expectations but I enjoyed it for the story it did tell rather than the one I had hoped it would.
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