While i enjoyed my time, it wasn't the movie i was hoping for.
The Cons:
It's less Dr Strange's film then it is Wanda's. and while that's not a terrible prospect, it was more of a deflated conclusion to Wanda's complicated, emotional, and compelling arc throughout the MCU and Wandavision. The defeat of the thing that held her was entirely off screen!
The Deus Ex Machina that no one knew about but had always existed, apparently, was both critical to fighting the bad guy and easily forgotten.
The treatment of Mordo as nothing more than a henchman, when the first DS movie alluded to him coming into his own as a charismatic villain in his own right, was a true disappointment. And the hint toward a future film where that plotline isn't considered was a real bummer. Mordo deserves his time as a villain. Chiwetel Ejiofor deserved better.
The Pros:
Rachel McAdams and Benedict Cumberbatch had much better chemistry this time around. Benedict , of course, was made for this role. He's wonderful as Dr Strange.
Elizabeth Olsen was amazing to watch in this. Quotable and iconic. Worth the full price of a theature ticket just to see her.
For her role as the McGuffin of the film, Xochitl Gomez was plucky and cute. I enjoyed her alot. I look forward to her in more MCU projects.
The settings and set design looks amazing and magical as expected. There was even a very creative magic battle.
Sooooo, TDLR... It was a fun movie but it was def an MCU movie. Not for the casuals in the least. Brush up on Wandavision before you see this aaand enjoy yourself! Because just because this wasn't the movie for me, doesn't mean it wont be the movie for you.