Highlights include a classic cameo and some interesting universe graduates introduced and then dispatched rather quickly. There is also a great scene where two of the Doctors battle each other with music notes. This was very much enhanced by seeing the film in a theatre with a kick-butt sound system.

The storyline as it is makes little sense but that is almost beside the point by this moment in time. Suspend expectations and just revel in clever homages to some classic sci-fi films of the past (2001: A Space Odyssey I’m looking at you) and some very imaginative computer-driven special effects that have the wow factor.

With the company behind the Star Wars movies burnout hopefully learning their lesson, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is well placed to live in that episodic world but can easily exist outside of it as well. Of course, stay to the very end of the credits to catch a coda to that classic cameo mentioned earlier.
Rob Hudson
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In Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” the MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. Journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, with Michael Stühlbarg, and Rachel McAdams.

The film is directed by Sam Raimi, and Kevin Feige is the producer. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Eric Hauserman Carroll and Jamie Christopher serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Michael Waldron.

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” releases in Australian cinemas on May 5, 2022.

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“The Multiverse is a concept about which we know frighteningly little.”

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” opens in Australian cinemas on May 5, 2022.
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The story involving a dying father attempting to reconnect with an estranged son has been done many times before. Even with such familiarity, there are some truly moving scenes and even the ending, while completely predictable is very satisfying.

Jason Sudeikis as the son steps away from his comic past and successfully connects with the serious role, while Ed Harris, the father, ratchets up the crankiness as a world famous photographer who lives every spoiled artist cliche to the hilt. Elizabeth Olsen also pauses from huge budget films to delivers a nuanced performance.

This is a small film with noble ambitions and the ability to transcend its structure and content to create memorable cinema. It’s a welcome change to some of more over the top entertainment making the rounds at the moment.

Rob Hudson
www.iconmovies.com.au/movies/kodachrome

The film does present a conundrum when it comes to writing a review though as talking too much about the storyline makes it all too easy to divulge key elements that would ruin the experience for some if not all fans.

Suffice to say that the canvas this time out is huge and it taps into almost every Marvel film with the exception of two and it’s not too difficult to guess which two. The action is dizzying in it intensity and it’s not giving away too much is saying these battles take place on more than one front.

The film is very successful in presenting all your favourite characters in an ensemble piece and not watering down the traits that made them so memorable in the first place. Few films need to be seen with as much urgency as Avengers: Infinity Wars as a lot of the fun is the large number of surprises in store. Waiting runs the risk of diffusing those highs and lows through the disclosure of information.

Rob Hudson
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