There’s no denying that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has changed Hollywood. The release of Iron Man in 2008 jumpstarted an unprecedented set of interconnected films that were more than just straightforward sequels: the films told the stories of different characters facing different challenges, but all in the same universe. Since Iron Man’s success, Marvel has not had a true miss (with the exception of The Incredible Hulk). But that does not mean that the MCU is without flaws.
A criticism that can certainly be levelled at the films is that they are too cookie-cutter. That is, the films all feel as if they have come off of a production line. Yes, there are different villains, but every Marvel offering has the same aesthetic, bland cinematography and reliance on quippy, snappy dialogue. With the exception of Loki, Marvel has yet to produce a really iconic villain in the vein of DC’s Joker. This great video essay sums up why the scores in Marvel movies are so interchangeable, and that serves as a microcosm for the entirety of the universe. Even if Captain America: Civil War was a great film at first viewing, the fact is that the film does not really move the universe forward in a big way. It instead just felt like The Avengers 2.5.
One of Marvel’s best films is Guardians of the Galaxy because it was such an unusual film. It took place in a universe that felt far removed from the rest of the films, and its use of atypical characters made it endearing. That is why hopes are so high for Doctor Strange. The film is slated for release in November, and so far buzz around the film has been relatively muted. Director Scott Derickson and Marvel have been accused of whitewashing the film’s cast, and the trailers have been received rather excitedly. With the film’s release almost a month away, is it time for concern?
The answer to that question is yes and no. First off, Marvel has not made an outright flop since the beginning of the MCU, and therefore there is a very good chance that, at the very least, Doctor Strange will be watchable. The talent in the film is also something to behold: Benedict Cumberbatch plays the eponymous Strange surrounded by Tilda Swinton, Mads Mikkelsen, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. That cast is certainly indicative of a quality film. Derickson may not have the most accomplished resumé, but he appears to be a very reliable filmmaker.
The hopes for Doctor Strange rest on its potential to be weird. To be memorable. To feel like an actual film instead of just another entry into the MCU that is designed to set up Infinity War. The trailers certainly make the film appear to be unlike any other Marvel films, at least visually. Straying into the realm of magic is a risk, but it appears that Doctor Strange is actually going to take itself seriously enough for the risk to work. Other Marvel films, Age of Ultron in particular, indulged too heavily in meta-jokes about the inherent absurdity of superhero films, but the jokes become tiring after a while. Seeing Deadpool mock the tired tropes of the superhero genre so well demands that Marvel begin to take itself a bit more seriously, since simply sitting back and poking fun at yourself has already been done. Not DC-level despair, but enough to create a genuinely memorable film. I am extremely excited for the film: the trailer is very intriguing and unique-looking, and the cast certainly has a ton of potential. If Doctor Strange can effectively blend the humor with the drama, like Guardians of Galaxy, it could represent a beacon of hope for a universe that has gotten too familiar for its own good.
