Following considerable anticipation, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness arrived, greeted with a somewhat divided response. While boasting a stellar cast, some viewers found the narrative muddled, overwhelmed by CGI spectacle, and laden with exposition that didn’t quite land. For fans who cherished the original Doctor Strange, including this writer who ranks it second only to Captain America: The Winter Soldier in personal preference, the sequel proved to be a notable disappointment.
One of the primary criticisms revolves around the portrayal of the central antagonist, heavily reliant on prior viewing of the WandaVision Disney+ series. Elizabeth Olsen, reprising her role as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, delivers a powerful performance, yet the film assumes a level of audience familiarity that isn’t universally guaranteed. For viewers who missed WandaVision or whose memories of the series were hazy, Wanda’s motivations and descent into villainy might lack the necessary emotional resonance, despite Olsen’s committed acting. The film arguably shifts its focus, becoming less about Doctor Strange himself and more about Wanda’s arc, potentially sidelining the titular character’s development.
Benedict Cumberbatch returns as Doctor Strange, navigating the chaotic multiverse and facing familiar faces and new threats. However, even with Cumberbatch’s charismatic presence, the narrative threads sometimes feel loosely connected. The subplot involving Strange’s former love interest, Christine Palmer, played by Rachel McAdams, feels underdeveloped. While McAdams brings her usual charm to the role, the emotional weight of their past relationship, only briefly touched upon in the previous film, struggles to find significant impact amidst the multiversal mayhem. Their interactions, while capably acted, don’t quite achieve the intended emotional depth within the film’s crowded storyline.
Adding to the ensemble is Xochitl Gomez as America Chavez, the obligatory teenage sidekick characteristic of the MCU’s Phase Four. While intended to inject youthful energy and represent the next generation of heroes, Chavez, in this iteration, primarily functions as a plot device. Gomez, a promising young actress, is given limited opportunity to imbue the character with a distinct personality beyond her role as the key to interdimensional travel. The potential for a compelling character arc feels somewhat squandered in favor of plot progression.
Furthermore, the film leans heavily into cameos from other Marvel properties, a trend increasingly prevalent in the MCU. While these moments of crossover fan service can elicit initial excitement, they arguably contribute to a sense of narrative fragmentation. The focus on interconnectedness and universe-building sometimes overshadows the individual story’s integrity, with cameos potentially serving as a crutch to maintain audience engagement rather than organically enhancing the plot or character development of the core cast.
Ultimately, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, despite featuring a talented cast including Benedict Wong as Wong and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mordo, falls short of its potential. The film’s reliance on CGI spectacle and convoluted plot mechanics arguably overshadows the strengths of its performers. Perhaps a period of reflection and a shift away from excessive franchise interlinking could benefit the MCU, allowing for more focused and character-driven narratives in future installments.
