In the run-up to a new Marvel property premiering, I will watch the trailers but won’t read the reviews as I like to form my own opinions. This week one of the review headlines showed up in my news feed:

These headlines had me concerned that this film was going to be terrible, but then I remembered that the ‘worst’ Marvel Cinematic Universe film is better than most films that are released. These reviewers must not be fans of Marvel Films because Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, is wonderful and the perfect jumpstart to the Summer 2022 movie season.

The summary per IMDB: Dr. Stephen Strange casts a forbidden spell that opens the doorway to the multiverse, including alternate versions of himself, whose threat to humanity is too great for the combined forces of Strange, Wong, and Wanda Maximoff.

Director Sam Raimi’s leaned into his horror movie past to deliver a darker MCU film than we have seen to date. However, the movie has a few laughs interspersed which keep it from feeling too grim. Raimi is known for the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man trilogy and this is his first film in the interconnected MCU. The story he was told to tell was expertly woven together with the prior tales it was referencing. With that said it is required that you have watched WandaVision and have some knowledge of the events of Loki, What If? and Spider-Man: No Way Home. All, except No Way Home, are available on Disney +

After so many films clocking in at 2 ½ – 3 hours, the 2-hour run time seems short yet refreshing. Plus, there is no long build-up to the action: you are dropped into this story from minute one. As far as how the film looks, Marvel Studios have mastered CGI when creating their worlds and this film exceeds expectations. Interestingly, the sound design for this film was created for a theater or a home surround sound system and you can feel every moment.

The performances from the returning cast, Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Rachel McAdams, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Benedict Wong are stellar. While newcomer to the MCU Xochitl Gomez is perfect for the role of America Chavez and I cannot wait to see her next outing in this role. As for the cameos… I will let you see them for yourself.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was absolutely worth the wait and trip to the movie theater.

4.5 spells out of 5.

Thank you Marvel Studios and Allied Marketing for the opportunity to screen this film.