Movie Review: Sam Raimi's talents turn 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' into horror trip

“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” much like its title, is a bit messy, but with that messiness comes a lot of fun courtesy of the absolutely perfect director for the film, Sam Raimi.

Consider it a hybrid superhero-horror movie, thus the reason why it represents a perfect vehicle for Raimi to return to directing feature-length movies.

Arguably Raimi provided the template for the 21st century superhero epic with his adaptation of “Spider-Man” in 2002, along with its subsequent sequels. However, even with those films, Raimi brought a horror background with him courtesy of the “Evil Dead” movies.

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In the second installment of the “Doctor Strange” franchise, the two genres converge to provide something wholly entertaining, with just enough of the Marvel template and plenty of originality courtesy of a Michael Waldron script that turns it into a cinematic mind trip that takes more than a few twists and turns.

The most shocking one of them all, because of its unexpected nature and the fact that it’s ultimately so tragic: Doctor Strange’s nemesis.

Movie fans received a taste of the multiverse in the most recent “Spider-Man” movie, and Waldron’s script and Raimi’s direction provide a rapid-paced journey across multiple universes for Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Wong (Benedict Wong) and a new character from the Marvel canon, America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), a young woman who has the ability to open portals to other universes.

Meet Marvel's America Chavez

The audience meets her as she and an alternate Doctor Strange are racing to find a magic book that will stop all evil. The ugly, bug-eyed entity pursuing America wants to drain her of her powers, but the book will destroy it. Things do not go as planned and America finds herself in the Avengers universe after opening a portal that allows her and the beast to slip into New York City where — surprise — she finds herself relying on the help of the Doctor Strange audiences know and he, eventually, seeks help from The Scarlet Witch, Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen).

Yes, that sounds completely muddled, and to be honest, you have to pay attention to keep up because trips to more universes — each with their own quirks — come.

“Multiverse of Madness” proves convoluted for yet another reason, as it really helps if the audience is versed in the Marvel TV series that have played on the Disney+ streaming service with a particular focus on “WandaVision.” “Multiverse of Madness” is tripendicular in that way.

But what’s so thoroughly intriguing: Marvel guru Kevin Feige allows Raimi, who directs his first feature-length film in more than a decade, to bring his style and mastery of the macabre to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Sam Raimi's horror mastery

There are few directors working today who could have provided the tone that this film needed to succeed, and that’s because Raimi has not only proved that he knows how to provide chills and thrills, but he does so in a manner that presents a subtle sense of humor.

Given Doctor Strange’s sarcastic bent and some of the ghoulish situations, it works. It certainly helps when he has an actor like Cumberbatch with whom to work. Like so many of the Marvel characters since the advent of the MCU, he was perfectly cast and continues to mine the character for depth of feeling and emotion.

In Wong and Gomez he has willing partners who do more than go along for the ride, as he possesses chemistry with each and that chemistry helps to lighten the tone, something that’s needed on more than a few occasions.

As for Olsen, she once again uses Wanda Maximoff’s tragic life to give the character depth and sympathy. Whether the film fits in a grand puzzle remains to be seen, but it’s clear that in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” the character hasn’t worn out his welcome on the screen.

George M. Thomas dabbles in movies and television for the Beacon Journal. Reach him at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByGeorgeThomas

Details

Movie: “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Elizabeth Olsen, Xochitl Gomez

Directed by: Sam Raimi

Running time: 2 hours, 6 minutes

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

Grade: B

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Review: Sam Raimi gives 'Doctor Strange' a bit of horror