Doctor Strange 3D Movie Review

Written By: Adolph Vega

3D

Doctor Strange has some amazing visual effects and the stereoscopic 3D element perfectly complements this movie. I feel this is the first movie made by Marvel Studios where the 3D element is a critical element of the cinematography and not just an after thought. Doctor Strange primarily uses depth-based 3D and creates an impressive diorama effect. The 3D element really feels like your peering into the movie. The movie looks sharp, colorful and vivid in 3D. If you have the opportunity to watch this movie in IMAX 3D I can easily recommend viewing it in that larger screen. The depth of field presented within this movie really makes things look more impressive and gives some fantastical elements a better sense of being realistic. The 3D is used in some close up shots and gives you a better sense of the emotional state of the actors. This usage of 3D makes the viewer more invested into what is happening on screen. The stereoscopic 3D element of this movie is so well done; I wouldn’t want to watch this movie in 2D and is easily one of the best uses of 3D in a movie released in 2016.

Final Verdict:

Great 3D, Editors Choice Award for 3D

Movie

Doctor Strange is a radical departure for Marvel Studios suite of films. Doctor Strange has a fantastic setting, incredible psychedelic visuals, and mystical eastern themes, and simply feels totally different from anything else released from Marvel studios.

Doctor Strange is a self-contained origin story for the character. Doctor Stephen Strange is a brilliant world renewed surgeon, and due to an unforeseen accident he needs the assistance of eastern medicine. Doctor Strange learns of the mystical arts and trains to protect this realm of existence from threats from another dimension. Benedict Cumberbatch portrays Doctor Strange as an arrogant self absorbed cocky character. I really enjoyed this performance from Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange. I found him very likable, well acted and is a perfect fit the role. In many ways this performance reminds me of the performance of Robert Downey Junior as Ironman. Since this movie is an origin movie, many times Doctor Strange acts as the avatar for the audience and asks questions about what is going on. The main story revolves around a group of people who want and extra dimensional entity to consume the earth and Doctor Strange and his comrades must find a way to stop it. Magic has never been an aspect of the marvel comic's movies and this movie does a good job introducing it into the marvel cinematic universe. Sadly the story itself feels rushed and many of the details are quickly glossed over and under explored. Several aspects of the story fall a little too perfectly into place and seems convenient for the plot to advance. The movie ends in a clever way that is both satisfying and unique. Even if I have problems with the story being under explained I still found myself extremely entertained and interested in what was happening on screen.

The movie has a large cast of characters that all work well together. Christine Palmer is the love interest to Doctor Strange and they have a complex history and good chemistry on screen. Tilda Swinton is “The Ancient One” and essentially is the master of the mystical arts who teaches Doctor Strange. This character is odd because her comic book version is vastly different from this film version. I really enjoyed this film version, which has a great motherly vibe and is well acted. The only problem I had with this character is that she seems out of place in this eastern setting. Another notable character is that of Wong, who watches over the library of mystical arts and acts as comic relief and a sidekick to Doctor Strange. The movie itself has a very corny sense of humor that mostly works to lighten this movie. Overall I really enjoyed the entire cast of Doctor Strange.

This fantastical setting is brought to life with truly spectacular visual effects. The visuals of Doctor Strange look amazing and perfectly compliment the surreal storyline. I cannot understate how well executed and well shot these special effects are and how integral they are for this movie. The visuals of Doctor Strange are easily the best special effects that I have seen this year and possibly in the last decade. The movie has very fast pacing and flows well from one scene to another. The movie doesn’t try to teach philosophy or religion, which is interesting because you would expect that from this type of movie.

Doctor Strange is a fascinating movie from beginning to end. The movie has amazing visuals that are a real treat for the eye. Sadly the story of Doctor Strange feels rushed and glossed over. It’s not a perfect movie, but I definitely enjoyed entering this mystical magical world of Marvel comics.

Final Verdict: 8/10, Editors Choice Award

Doctor Strange Official Website

Click here to listen to my audio podcast review of Doctor Strange

Ant-man

3D Movie Review

Written By: Adolph Vega

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3D

The 3D within this movie didn’t impress me until the special effect action scenes started. When the movie begins the 3D only consists of one character talking to another with one being closer or farther than the other. This 3D element between characters is neither interesting nor impressive visually during these scenes. Once the special effects begin, the movie shines in 3D. The movie uses 3D mostly for depth of field and gives the audience a good sense of scale and distance. Considering most of this movie is presented in smaller scale (ant size) the sense of depth gives the viewer nice immersion and context within the various miniature scenes. Sadly the pop 3D element seems limited and toned down and underplayed during this movie. One specific action scene with Ant-man takes place in a miniature model city, which looked nice in 3D, but the 3D element seemed limited because of the lack of pop 3D in the scene. Overall I still enjoyed the 3D presentation but felt that the 3D element didn’t reach it’s full potential.

Final Verdict: Good 3D

Movie

Ant-man is a strange marvel cinematic movie because the character is a founding member of the Avengers, but not introduced into the Marvel cinematic universe until after the second avengers film. This is also a strange movie because it’s an origin story and a passing of the torch story. The movie is a few stories in one as it begins in 1989 with the original Ant-Man Dr. Hank Pym. Dr. Pym does not want his revolutionary super suit to be used in the military and leaves the company he founds to prevent this from happening. Another story in the film is set in present day with the character of Scott Lang who is leaving jail and trying to survive. The third and final storyline is of the protégé of Dr. Pym who is Darren Cross. Cross took over Pym’s company after his resignation and is attempting to recreate the Ant-man suit. Cross has created a prototype shrinking weapon suit named the Yellow Jacket and wants to sell his technology to the highest bidder. All these story elements combine to drive the narrative with a nice sense of humor. Sometimes the tone of the movie seems inconsistent with serious scenes and comedic scenes being intermixed. I was surprised how well this movie balances the tight rope of being self-contained and yet fitting into the larger marvel cinematic universe. Some of the acting within this movie is hit or miss, with some characters working well and others being forgettable. The supporting cast of Ant-man is pretty interesting as many of Scott Lang’s friends are low-level street criminals who have a pivotal role in the movie. The action scenes within this movie are my favorite aspect of this movie because they are entertaining, funny and unlike anything else I have seen. The special effects within this movie are fantastic, especially the ants. The ants have a nice presence on screen and work together to help the Ant-man. One action scene between the Ant-man and an Avenger was both funny and well choreographed. The main villain of the movie Yellow Jacket sadly is under developed and the weakest element of the movie. The movie has a nice heart and is grounded by touching scenes that really resonate with the audience. This movie isn’t about saving the world, or even saving the city, but is more about redemption. Marvel Studios has done it again with Ant-man. Ant-man is an enjoyable movie that seems awkward at times but overall is well made and worthy of your time.