“Doctor Strange”

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor

Director: Scott Derrickson

Rating: PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action throughout, and an intense crash sequence

Playing at: Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas (Glasgow)

Grade: B

Just when it looks like you’ve seen everything the Marvel Universe has to offer, along comes “Doctor Strange” – a mind-bending thrill ride that expands this world into directions that haven’t been seen before.

Director Scott Derrickson, whose previous work was mostly in horror films like “Sinister” and “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” may not have been the first choice to come to mind, but his vision is a spectacle to behold – especially in IMAX format – creating one of the most visually interesting worlds yet among Marvel films.

Benedict Cumberbatch fits into the title role nicely, playing a talented neurosurgeon whose life is altered after a car accident. Desperate to get back to his old life, Strange seeks the help of a mysterious guru named the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton), only to discover a world beyond his imagination that is full of magic and alternate dimensions.

A threat from that world emerges, when a former student of the Ancient One attempts to summon a porthole to allow a demon to take control of Earth.

“Doctor Strange” unfolds like a cross between Christopher Nolan and John Woo, with Dickerson making good use of the film’s mystic theories and alternate dimensions. This is a film that should be seen on the biggest screen possible, with some visually striking action sequences. One that involves a chase through New York City streets where the streets keep shape-shifting is breathtaking, while a sequence with Strange falling helplessly through alternate dimensions is both stunning and humorous.

It’s one of several moments that are much lighter than expected, with “Strange” tapping into the humor much like many of its Marvel predecessors. Cumberbatch shows a lighter side that we haven’t seen from the actor nearly as much, while Swinton is a blast as the all-knowing guru. Chiwetel Ejiofor makes for a solid sidekick, while Rachel McAdams is fine as the prerequisite love interest.

Perhaps the one drawback some will find in “Doctor Strange” is that at times it is very dialogue heavy as it tries to explain the mythology it is creating, but for me it’s necessary to provide background info to set up everything for this film and future appearances (post credits scenes hint to something that could be really fun).

Those future appearances are certainly welcome after this satisfying introduction. 

 

Also in theaters

While the Marvel Universe continues to shine, another franchise film, “Inferno” (D+), appears to be on its last legs. The latest film based on the Dan Brown set of novels is lackluster and by-the-numbers. The kind of film that makes you wonder why Tom Hanks and director Ron Howard would even bother.

“Inferno” sees Harvard professor Robert Langdon (Hanks) waking up in an Italian hospital suffering from amnesia, with a young doctor named Sienna Brooks (Felicity Jones) the only key to helping him figure out what has happened.

The duo soon discover that his amnesia is connected to a plot to unleash a virus that would destroy half the Earth’s population, sending them on a trek throughout Europe to stop the plot and save humanity.

The first two films in the series “The Da Vinci Code” and “Angels and Demons” were mildly enjoyable diversions, even if they were a bit silly.

“Inferno” tries to capture the same spirit as those two films, but it just feels stale. Hanks practically sleepwalks through the whole thing, while Jones doesn’t really bring much to the whole thing. Then there is a Ben Foster cameo that should have been interesting considering the actor’s pedigree, but also falls flat.

It all builds to a plot twist in the final act that is so absurd it is laughably bad. By that point I was ready to check out of “Inferno,” something it seems like the cast and crew were ready to do before the film even began.

“Inferno” is rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence, disturbing images, some language, thematic elements and brief sensuality and is now playing at the Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10 and Highland Cinemas in Glasgow.

— To read Micheal Compton’s thoughts on other films, visit his blog at bgdailynews.com/blogs/reel_to_reel or on Twitter @mcompton428. Email him at mcompton@bgdailynews.com.