Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is just okay

Marvel’s latest entry into their sprawling cinematic universe, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, attempts to hit the same epic highs as their most recent multiverse movie, but it ultimately falls a little flat.

This is a spoiler-free review.

This film is a truly wild ride from start to finish, with hardly any moments to catch your breath along this crazy journey. Due to that endless sprint, the film is visually stunning with incredible fight scenes, but it lacks some heart.

The plot of this film, which is loose at best, is its weakest point, failing almost every character within it. Doctor Strange takes a backseat in his own movie, with his motivations being very unclear throughout the film.

Following Spider-Man: No Way Home, it’s disappointing to see a character like Doctor Strange not be held accountable for the numerous mistakes he’s made, especially since such a storyline was heavily teased in the initial trailers.

I don’t say this lightly, but I truly believe this movie should’ve been longer, by at least 20 minutes. That extra time would’ve allowed for a better understanding of both Strange and Wanda, which the movie leaves floundering in its current state.

Despite issues with the plot and overall story, this film is stunning.

It’s scary, it’s brutal, it’s mind-bending, and it’s incredible to look at. Even with the lackluster storytelling, I already have a genuine need to see this in a theater again, due to just how immersive and compelling the visuals are.

Director Sam Raimi, best known for his Spider-Man trilogy, truly understands the powers of both the Scarlet Witch and Doctor Strange and allows this film to truly embrace the magic they both use, even more so than their previous projects.

Wanda herself is the true focal point of Multiverse of Madness. Her story is the beating heart, even with the issues present.

Elizabeth Olsen puts on the performance of her life in this film, perfectly embodying both the power and the pain that comes with being the Scarlet Witch, following perfectly after her stellar performance in WandaVision. It cannot be understated how incredible Olsen’s performance is in this film; she truly elevates every single scene she’s in.

This film shows the full might of the Scarlet Witch, something that we haven’t truly seen in its entirety yet, and it’s both horrifying and satisfying to see. With Wanda carrying the emotional weight of the film, I do wish there had been more set up in the beginning for her continuing storyline from WandaVision, but Olsen makes it work so well that you almost forget any and all issues you may have with her storyline.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, while not bad, is just okay, and that’s fine. It didn’t have to be an incredible Oscar-worthy film, and it delivers the fun and adventure in spades.

If you’re going into this movie expecting non-stop cameos and flawless storytelling, that’s not what you’ll get. The few cameos that are present in this film are extremely satisfying, especially for any Marvel super-fan. If you can, avoid the spoilers and have a genuine reaction in the theater to some of the faces that show up for optimal enjoyment.

While it’s true that Marvel films often have to compete with its own fans’ expectations, this film has the unfortunate position of being a continuation of two of Marvel’s most successful and fan-favorite projects: WandaVision and Spider-Man: No Way Home. There was no way this film was ever going to meet the expectations set in fans’ minds, but there is a lot to love about this movie. There’s great directing, great visuals, a fun adventure through the multiverse, and much more.

While the storytelling fell flat, especially for the titular character, it’s still absolutely worth a watch, just for the simultaneously wonderful and disturbing visual stylings of Sam Raimi, who absolutely took a Marvel movie and made it his own.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theaters today.