For fans eagerly anticipating a mystical journey into the animated realm of Marvel’s Sorcerer Supreme, the Doctor Strange Animated Film released by Lionsgate might initially pique interest. However, as the film unfolds, it unfortunately descends into a rather underwhelming experience, leaving one questioning the direction of Marvel’s animated movie ventures at the time. While not entirely devoid of merit, this Doctor Strange animated film, officially titled Doctor Strange: The Sorcerer Supreme, struggles to capture the magic and intrigue inherent in the character and his comic book lore.
The initial disappointment stems from the context of Marvel’s animated film strategy at the time. There was an ambitious plan to release a new animated feature every quarter, a pace that proved unsustainable. The promotional material for the Doctor Strange animated film itself hinted at a shift away from established Marvel characters. Instead, the preview showcased a future project focused on newly created “children of the Avengers,” a concept that felt like a misguided attempt to emulate the success of DC’s Teen Titans rather than explore the rich tapestry of existing Marvel heroes. This deviation felt particularly jarring when considering the vast catalog of compelling characters Marvel already possessed, including the enigmatic Doctor Strange.
Looking back at the earlier releases in this animated series, Ultimate Avengers stood out as a decent starting point, particularly praised for its dynamic Hulk versus Avengers fight sequence. However, it wasn’t a definitive success, and hopes were high that subsequent films would build upon this foundation and reach greater heights. Sadly, this initial offering remained the benchmark. Ultimate Avengers 2 and Iron Man followed, but both were largely forgettable and failed to ignite the enthusiasm expected from a Marvel animated movie, especially for dedicated Marvel enthusiasts.
The Doctor Strange animated film unfortunately continues this trend of mediocrity. One of the primary issues is the film’s overly somber tone. There’s a noticeable absence of the fun and adventurous spirit often associated with comic books, even those dealing with more serious themes. The animation style itself is bland and generic, lacking the visual flair and dynamism needed to bring the mystical world of Doctor Strange to life. Furthermore, there appears to be an excessive focus on making the hero “likable,” a concern that often dilutes the complexity and nuance of compelling characters.
The pacing of the animated Doctor Strange film is also problematic, particularly in the opening act. The narrative progresses at a snail’s pace, as if the filmmakers doubted the audience’s ability to grasp the unfolding events. The first twenty minutes, a significant portion of the film’s brief runtime, feel unnecessarily protracted, prompting impatience and a desire for the story to “get on with it.” Adding to the visual confusion, Strange is initially depicted with a goatee, inadvertently making him resemble Tony Stark from the previous Iron Man animated movies, a distracting and unnecessary design choice.
While the reviewer admits to not being a die-hard Doctor Strange fan, acknowledging a personal preference against blending magic too heavily with superhero narratives (with the exception of Ghost Rider), the potential for compelling magical superhero stories is undeniable. The Justice League Unlimited animated series demonstrated this perfectly with its portrayal of Dr. Fate, crafting a much more intriguing and spooky mystic character. That series even featured a story reminiscent of Marvel’s Defenders team, substituting Dr. Fate for Doctor Strange, Solomon Grundy for Hulk, and Aquaman for Namor, and it resonated powerfully. This Doctor Strange animated film, sadly, fails to reach that level of captivating storytelling.
In the comic book origin, crafted by the legendary Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, Doctor Stephen Strange is portrayed as a brilliant but arrogant surgeon. Fate intervenes when a car accident damages his hands, stripping him of his surgical skills. Destitute, he embarks on a global quest for healing, eventually seeking out the mythical Old One in Tibet. This origin story, beautifully illustrated in Marvel Visionaries: Steve Ditko, highlights Strange’s initial arrogance and subsequent humbling journey.
The Doctor Strange animated film loosely adheres to this framework, but significantly softens Strange’s initial personality. The film seems hesitant to depict Strange as the “irredeemable prick” he is in his early comics, presumably fearing audience disapproval. Instead, they introduce a backstory that attempts to justify his arrogance by revealing a “Secret Pain.” This addition feels unnecessary and dilutes the impactful simplicity of the original origin story. Sometimes, the classic narratives are effective as they are, and adding layers of backstory doesn’t necessarily enhance depth. This added backstory element in the movie contributes to the slow pacing and feels heavy-handed in its emotional cues.
The film opens with a promising scene: Mordo, initially a loyal student of the Old One, leading a team of magic users against a mystical creature. Despite Wong’s concealment spell (Wong being a fellow student, not yet Strange’s manservant as in the comics), Strange, in his pre-accident life, witnesses the magical battle, hinting at an innate mystical sensitivity. This is a clever and engaging opening.
However, the movie quickly transitions to the altered origin, softening Strange’s initial arrogance with the aforementioned “secret pain” backstory. Furthermore, the cause of Strange’s car accident is changed to a mystical event rather than his own reckless behavior, a shift that diminishes the karmic consequence of his arrogance. The original story, where Strange’s accident is implied to be a result of his own hubris, is more impactful. This alteration, likely intended to make Strange more “relatable” and create thematic connections, unfortunately weakens the character’s core narrative. Screenwriters often prioritize “tying things together,” even when it compromises essential character traits, a tendency also seen in adaptations like Tim Burton’s Batman, where the Joker is made the killer of Batman’s parents.
Once Strange embarks on his quest to find the Old One, the narrative does begin to improve. The familiar trope of initial skepticism and seemingly pointless tasks before enlightenment unfolds, leading to Strange’s eventual breakthrough. By this point, Mordo’s betrayal of the Old One is set in motion, and the plot progresses more engagingly from there.
However, a notable inconsistency arises with the timeline. Strange appears to spend a considerable amount of time training at the isolated temple, though the film doesn’t convey the years it should realistically take to master mystic arts. Upon his return to civilization, he encounters children who were in comas before his accident, yet they appear unchanged. This temporal discrepancy is a significant oversight. In a realistic portrayal, Strange’s journey from injury to mastery should have spanned a decade, reflecting the extensive time needed for physical healing, spiritual seeking, and magical training.
Despite its shortcomings, the latter part of the Doctor Strange animated film offers some redeeming qualities. Even for someone not particularly invested in Doctor Strange, the film becomes reasonably engaging in its final act. However, the overall feeling remains that of missed potential. These Marvel animated movies, in general, need to improve significantly. The decision to follow up with a film featuring entirely new, untested characters after a year’s hiatus suggests a move in the wrong direction.
To conclude, while the Doctor Strange animated film offers a glimpse into the mystical world of the Sorcerer Supreme, it ultimately falls short of its potential. Plagued by pacing issues, a somber tone, bland animation, and questionable alterations to the character’s origin story, it fails to capture the magic and wonder inherent in the source material. While the latter part of the film shows some improvement, it’s not enough to overcome the initial weaknesses. For fans seeking a truly captivating animated portrayal of Doctor Strange, this film might be a magical miss.
