Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness was one of the most visually compelling Marvel movies I have ever seen. The visuals were gorgeous, and like all Marvel movies, they pull their watchers into the movie. However, many people have said this wasn't their favorite, even with the premiere of truly loved characters by all Marvel fans. 

*WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS*

The main issue with this movie was the two different directing styles. There were two directors that directed the movie since one director, Scott Derrickson, decided to step away from the sequel due to “creative differences” he had with the studio. Sam Raimi was the second director who stepped into the movie and decided to finish it off. To me, I could tell even without knowing that there were two directors that there was a split in the movie that shows the different directing styles. I personally found the first director to be the better director, as he had long, drawn-out fighting scenes that were visually effective (such as the first fight between Scarlet Witch and the temple people). The scenes weren’t overwhelming, and the director really gave a sense of urgency that was effective in order to follow the story.  

The second director, however, didn’t give a sense of urgency throughout the movie, especially in this scene where Dr. Strange, America Chavez, and Dr. Christine Palmer were running from Scarlet Witch’s dream walker. 

Additionally, the second director made what could have been one of the greatest fighting scenes in the movie shorter and didn’t really do certain characters justice. The fight between the Illuminati characters and the Scarlet Witch was truly disappointing given the powers of the different characters. Reed Richards, for example, wouldn’t tell Scarlet Witch the powers of Blackagar Bolt, especially if he is supposed to be extremely smart. Following that Professor X wouldn’t have been easily mind-controlled, though, that scene with him helping Wanda was nice. Lastly, Captain Marvel is known to be extremely powerful, yet she was easily killed off by Scarlet.

​Seeing those characters all together was very exciting and overall made me happy, but the fighting just didn’t seem right and seemed so rushed. I really wanted there to be more fighting with all of them together since I knew it would also be a visually pleasing fight that would leave watchers on the edge of their seats. Overall, the directors still did very well implementing the visuals of the story, yet I kinda prefer the style that the first director had over the one that the second director gave. ​

The ending of the movie also excites, since it left off with Dr. Strange leaving his house with everything being OK, and then he has a third eye that opens up. Following that, the first cut scene after the first pile of credits shows that Strange has his third eye, and a character named Clea tells Dr. Strange that he created an incursion that they must fix together. Now in the movie, the Third Eye Dr. Strange fought against Dr. Strange when Dr. Strange needed the Darkhold in order to fight Scarlet once she got ahold of America. It was told that the third eye is given to Dr. Strange for reading the Darkhold. This does keep the same idea that was introduced, but it scares me that Dr. Strange in that universe will become corrupt just like the other one, even with the Darkhold being destroyed. It also makes me wonder how the next movie will deal with the incursion that was created, and if there are more incursions that Dr. Strange will have to fix. I loved that Clea was introduced at the end, and I’m excited to see how she gets used in the next movie. 

Now in the movie, the Third Eye Dr. Strange fought against Dr. Strange when Dr. Strange needed the Darkhold in order to fight Scarlet once she got ahold of America. It was told that the third eye is given to Dr. Strange for reading the Darkhold. This does keep the same idea that was introduced, but it scares me that Dr. Strange in that universe will become corrupt just like the other one, even with the Darkhold being destroyed. It also makes me wonder how the next movie will deal with the incursion that was created, and if there are more incursions that Dr. Strange will have to fix. I loved that Clea was introduced at the end, and I’m excited to see how she gets used in the next movie. 

Overall, I found the movie to be beautiful, and it made me fall deeper in love with Dr. Strange. The concept of multiverses has always been something that has fascinated me for years, and the way that the directors illustrated the story was perfect. The way that this movie produced the Marvel multiverse and the idea of jumping through the multiverse is absolutely amazing to me. I also loved the different characters that were brought into the movie and the introduction of America Chavez and the Illuminati. I just wished there could have been a better fighting scene with the Illuminati and for there to be a more consistent directing style. 

MAYA TERRY