'Doctor Strange 2': Haunted-house frights gussied up with Marvel bombast? Count us in.

Dana Barbuto, The Patriot Ledger
·4 min read

Polish your Sling Rings, the good doctor is working his magic again.

Benedict Cumberbatch, aka Dr. Stephen Strange, has slipped back into the red Cloak of Levitation to reprise his role as Marvel’s master of the mystical in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” And it’s a certified gas from start to finish.

The surgeon-turned-superhero’s last solo outing was in 2016. But over the past six years, he hasn’t strayed far from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He was last seen messing around with multiverses (multiple universes) to help Peter Parker out of a jam in the recent “Spider-Man: No Way Home.” Now, he’s lending a hand to another teenager. But this time the stakes are higher.

From left, Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez, Benedict Wong as Wong and Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange in a scene from "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."
From left, Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez, Benedict Wong as Wong and Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange in a scene from "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."

In “Doctor Strange 2,” the cocky conjurer must protect America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez from “The Baby-Sitters Club” on Netflix), a teen capable of traveling the multiverse – she’s been to 73 of them – but can’t figure out how to control her gift. America is being pursued by someone seeking to rob her powers and Strange steps in to protect the girl. “We need an Avenger!” he declares. He enlists Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch and … Oh, Stephen! … anyone but that one. The trauma from the events in the streaming TV series “WandaVision'' are still so fresh the sorceress seeks solace in the dark arts and … that’s all I’ll say.

Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange in a scene from "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."
Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Stephen Strange in a scene from "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."

The "Madness" of the title is spot-on, thanks to Sam Raimi, who helmed Tobey Maguire’s “Spider-Man” trilogy and the iconic horror franchise “Evil Dead.” He’s our cruise director for this trippy sail through alternate worlds, and he goes bonkers – in all the best ways – to create what could be Marvel’s first horror picture. At one point, Wanda is covered in blood splatter a la Carrie at the prom in the iconic Brian De Palma flick. In another scene, a character is impaled.

Haunted-house frights gussied up with Marvel bombast? Count me in.

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“Doctor Strange 2” is a big-screen spectacle of swirling colors, levitating witches, superhero-on-superhero fighting and multidimensional universes. That includes one where everyone is made of paint and another that is animated and another where a zombified-looking Strange seems like he’s just emerged from the set of “The Walking Dead.” Simply put: It’s a thrill ride.

Detailing what unfolds would be a faux pas, so best you see for yourself. Drive-by viewers not up to date on Marvel properties, especially “WandaVision” on Disney+, might miss a few things. Though, I confess, the story is confusing enough for those of us who do follow along: “Other, other, me?” “Incursions?” Huh?

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On the other hand, the multiverse setting offers endless opportunities to manipulate the story and the chance for cool cameos and different versions of favorite characters. (I won’t say who.) In some dimensions, friends are foes and vice versa.

Benedict Wong as Wong in a scene from "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."
Benedict Wong as Wong in a scene from "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."

Michael Waldron’s script simultaneously meets head-on Wanda’s tragic journey and explores Strange’s mid-life “am I happy?” crisis. A guy who jumps off the balcony at his ex-girlfriend’s (Rachel McAdams) wedding to fight a giant one-eyed octopus tearing up the streets of Manhattan might not be the most emotionally stable dude in the room.

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Along for the ride with these two powerful magic wielders are Wong (Benedict Wong), the current Sorcerer Supreme, and one of the best supporting characters in the MCU. Chiwetel Ejiofor returns as Mordo, Strange’s nemesis. Michael Stuhlbarg shows up for a scene as Dr. Nicodemus West, reminding Strange that he might be one of the most powerful superheroes but he still didn’t get the girl. Ouch! That leaves a mark.

Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff in a scene from "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."
Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff in a scene from "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness."

'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'

Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, frightening images and some language.

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, with Michael Stühlbarg and Rachel McAdams

Director: Sam Raimi

Writer: Michael Waldron

Running time: 126 minutes

Where to watch: In theaters Thursday

Grade: B+

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Reach Dana Barbuto at dbarbuto@patriotledger.com.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' works its magic