Caroline Riechel

I am writing this review as a fellow Marvel fan (not a die-hard by any means) and a regular cinema lover. Prior to the film, I watched a little refresher on both Dr.Strange and Wanda (The Scarlett Witch) so that I didn't feel like I forgot or was missing anything. Of course, spoilers ahead. Background Info: I don't believe watching Dr. Strange's first film, Dr. Strange 2016, was really necessary in order to understand and grasp this film. If you are wanting some background knowledge on basic things like how he got his powers, his supporting characters, etc than the first movie could either be watched full through or as a condensed version on YouTube. As for Wanda, I do believe having watched Wanda Vision, or at least a more in-depth synopsis is extremely beneficial to understanding her character’s whole motive. Main points: Like many other movies / tv shows, but something seen a lot in Marvel films, is the usage of justification for violence because of a lost one. Now, I am not saying that to be insensitive to that kind of character development - it is a natural to feel that kind of enormous loss which is why it can be great to touch on as a way to sympathize and cope as a character and audience member - but we already saw a version of Wanda that was trying to deal with a sense of loss (the ability to live a normal life with a husband and kids). At the beginning of Wanda Vision, she was just starting to fill that loss but by the end, we see a character who's ultimate selfishness and distortion of reality has greatly damaged innocent lives for her "benefit". In this new film, she is yet again using her justification of lose (her children in Wanda Vision) to hurt innocent people and a young girl. Just like Wanda Vision, it was very hard to “support” her actions because they felt too selfish in the end. I really enjoyed Elizabeth Olsen’s performance and her character – the motivation behind it all just felt lacking for this film. Dr.Strange did not feel like he made that big of a change or character growth in this film. At times, it was hard to follow that it was his story but than towards the end it felt like it picked up. His chemistry with Wanda flowed and they both had some amazing action scenes. His continued interest in a now MARRIED love partner that he justifiably pushed away is weak in attempts to tie the two together throughout the film and create sympathy for his own personal (very selfish) feelings. America Chavez was just an… awkward character. There was absolutely no character growth aside from the brief background on her loosing her parents when she opens her first multiverse portal and her FINALLY using her powers at the absolute very end – after so many characters lost their lives trying to help her. Her presence was just to be opposition for Wanda and a way to give Strange something to do - she didn’t seem to really end up benefiting anyone in any way. As for the intermixing of other Marvel characters, there were some amazing scenes that hands down had my jaw dropped and then there were some that felt too overdone or static. I felt like the biggest obstacle for this film was simply its character justification and development. I wish that there was something else, I don’t know what but something. I have always enjoyed Marvel movies and television shows as I just watch as a lover of superheroes and cinema in general. I would rate this film a 6/10. It was worth the watch, especially in the big theater, and I could see myself going back to see it again. I hope you enjoy it!!