DOCTOR STRANGE (Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD)
Release Date: February 28, 2016
Studio: Marvel Studios Home Entertainment
Video: 2.39:1 / 1.85:1 1080p Widescreen
Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1, English DVS 2.0
THE RATINGS
The Movie Itself - ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
Video Quality - ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
Audio Quality - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Special Features - ★ ★ ★ ✰ ✰
Overall - ★ ★ ★ ★ ✰
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THE FILM ITSELF Our Reviewer's Take
Psychadelic fun in the third dimension!
Psychadelic fun in the third dimension!
Reviewed by Gavin King
Marvel Studios has proven itself to be a masterclass in today's day and age of cinema. While there are still a good number of standouts - particularly by the iconic names of Pixar and (ahem) DC Comics - that rack up a lot of hype, it's safe to say that few other studios can top the massive anticipation and groundbreaking box office receipts that Marvel makes. And it's no surprise why. Their movies are fantastic. Besides, who doesn't love the feeling of reserving a seat for a 7:00pm Thursday night screening show of a Marvel movie, stuffing popcorn in their face and enjoying the wildly entertaining rides that the studio gives us while wearing the infamous RealD 3D glasses? Essentially, Marvel Studios is one of the reasons why us film buffs love going to the movies, not just for their crazily fun action sequences but also for their thought-provoking stories, with some of the best being portrayed in this year's Captain America: Civil War or even more heavily - and appropriately - stylized efforts such as Avengers: Age of Ultron. Whether the high-octane adventures of Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man or the hammer-slinging thunder that comes with Chris Hemsworth's Thor, there hasn't been a single disappointment since, when it comes to the excellent track record that Marvel has set for themselves so far. Doctor Strange is, unsurprisingly, another fantastic effort from Marvel and company. Bolstered by a breakout performance by Benedict Cumberbatch in the titular leading role and the film's awe-inspiring visual effects (made even better by the 3D iteration of the movie, which I'll be reviewing after this one), Doctor Strange is superhero cinema at its finest and shows great potential for the character in the very near future.
Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a narcissist who works as a surgeon. He's not a very universal surgeon - he prefers to work with patients of his liking - but enjoys his job and obviously earns his well-earned living. One day while out on the road, Strange gets into a near-death car crash as his automobile is totaled off the edge of the road and into a fence. He's injured but thankfully escapes from death. He later finds himself lying in the hospital he worked in with scars and bruises all over himself. When he awakens, he learns about the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) and how her skills can heal him and have him learn things beyond his capabilities. Curious, Strange heads to Kamar-Taj to seek her help through a masterful program, but soon becomes caught up in a good-versus-evil scheme. Strange must used his learned knowledge from the Ancient One to battle against the devious Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), an Ancient One who was soon turned into a rogue evil-doer.
Dr. Stephen Strange.
Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a narcissist who works as a surgeon. He's not a very universal surgeon - he prefers to work with patients of his liking - but enjoys his job and obviously earns his well-earned living. One day while out on the road, Strange gets into a near-death car crash as his automobile is totaled off the edge of the road and into a fence. He's injured but thankfully escapes from death. He later finds himself lying in the hospital he worked in with scars and bruises all over himself. When he awakens, he learns about the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) and how her skills can heal him and have him learn things beyond his capabilities. Curious, Strange heads to Kamar-Taj to seek her help through a masterful program, but soon becomes caught up in a good-versus-evil scheme. Strange must used his learned knowledge from the Ancient One to battle against the devious Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), an Ancient One who was soon turned into a rogue evil-doer.
Doctor Strange may not really seem that much different from the average Marvel superhero film, but the fun and gleefully trippy factor make it so enjoyable. It's safe to say that this is probably the closest Marvel Studios has come to their best visual effects work yet. The kaleidoscope-like effects are nothing short of astonishing, adding to the fun of what makes these kind of movies an absolute blast to watch. There is a fantastic opening scene which involves this effect most primarily, and it's terrific to watch in action. It's a terrific opening climax to what is already a wonderful effects-laden movies that does all of its special effects pizzaz in all the right ways.
Of course, the movie is more than just visual splendor. The film's performances are equally fantastic. Benedict Cumberbatch is expectedly terrific as the film's main character, Doctor Stephen Strange. He brings life to his role not just in a superhero fashion but also in his more humorous nods, with one of the best examples being at the beginning of the movie where we notice a montage of his everyday job as a hospital surgeon. Obviously it's not just him who nails his role; let us not forget stars like Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, and Mads Mikkelsen; some of the many one-uppers who roll a deliciously entertaining movie into place, with especial praise to Mikkelsen, who drives the film's main villain, Dormammu, into frightening yet effectively powerful shape.
As if the film's technicalities weren't good enough, none of the onscreen action and mayhem would matter at all if it didn't have an entertaining story to tell. Doctor Strange explores deeper themes, some not explored in recent Marvel Studios films like Guardians of the Galaxy or Thor: The Dark World, though never at the expense of thrilling edge-of-your-seat awesomeness. Some may agrue the film's plotline to be overtly philosophical, but it actually makes for one of the more thought-provoking actioners in the past several years, and one that doesn't devolve into overly loud noise. It's a remarkable movie both visually and narratively, hands down.
DOCTOR STRANGE Blu-ray - Video Quality
Doctor Strange features a digital photography that translates extraordinarily well to Blu-ray. While the image can sometimes go a bit flat and pasty in the film's less vibrant and hypnotic moments, the end result is a well-defined and strikingly detailed 1080p image that holds its own without much complaint. Details are excellent, with Strange's subtly maimed face being one of the best examples (see the first screenshot of this review). Take note of scars, stitches, and other scratches and medical fixtures that make for one of the Blu-ray's best-looking moments. Colors can push ever-so-slightly into a grayish scheme, but when they pop, boy do they pop. Psychadelic purples, cape reds, surgeon glove teals... everything is presented with a natural and appropiately, occasionally vibrant cadence that stays true to the slightly bleak Marvel color scheme though never dumbing down to an uglier constant opacity filter over it. Black levels are impressively deep and hold true and firm throughout. Very mild banding seeps into a few shots, but that's my only complaint. Aliasing? None. Macroblocking? Zilch. Noise? Uh-uh. Let's be honest here; Doctor Strange is by no means the prettiest looking film ever made, but the film's unique special effects are represented very well on the high-definition transfer, all things considered. Good through and through.
Doctor Strange was made for 3D. Throughout the film, there are several demo-worthy moments where the visual effects seem to seamlessly mesh together with the added third dimension, making for a downright exceptional 3D viewing experience. One of the best aspects of this new presentation is the aspect ratio change from the original 2D Blu-ray's 2.39:1 to 1.85:1, in some scenes. The Marvel Studios logo is a fantastic example of this. It's a fantastic start to a soon-to-be mind-blowing 3D presentation, with characters portrayed in the logo seeming to pop out from the screen as the appear and maneuver further back. Then the opening battle scene kicks in, with an incredible depth of field and sensational attention to effects and characters in the frame. It's an excellent reference moment of the added third dimension done right. Even less abundant moments, such as a talk in the hospital, deliver faultless depth and effortless spacing throughout the frame. As for the Blu-ray's net effects, all of them carry over to the 3D version, with the understanding that the film can look a little bit darker as a sort-of "side effect" of switching from 2D to 3D. If you have a 3DTV and/or 3D projector, this is without a doubt the version for you.
Doctor Strange epitomizes the modern superhero film. It proves that you don't just have to have big-budget eye candy to make a successful Marvel adventure. It explores deeper more philisophical themes though never at the risk of sacrificing the fun and entertainment factor that make these sorts of films so damn enjoyable. Bolstered by an excellent lead performance by Benedict Cumberbatch, it's just one of the many high points an already fantastic action film has going for it, and one that's absolutely more than welcome to fit a wonderful place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for future installments. Disney's 3D Blu-ray is equally great. Eye-popping 3D video that's one of the best 3D views out there at the moment, blisteringly aggressive yet wonderfully nuanced 7.1 audio, and a good array of extra supplemental content. I highly recommend Doctor Strange.
In the beginning, there was a battle...
Of course, the movie is more than just visual splendor. The film's performances are equally fantastic. Benedict Cumberbatch is expectedly terrific as the film's main character, Doctor Stephen Strange. He brings life to his role not just in a superhero fashion but also in his more humorous nods, with one of the best examples being at the beginning of the movie where we notice a montage of his everyday job as a hospital surgeon. Obviously it's not just him who nails his role; let us not forget stars like Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton, and Mads Mikkelsen; some of the many one-uppers who roll a deliciously entertaining movie into place, with especial praise to Mikkelsen, who drives the film's main villain, Dormammu, into frightening yet effectively powerful shape.
As if the film's technicalities weren't good enough, none of the onscreen action and mayhem would matter at all if it didn't have an entertaining story to tell. Doctor Strange explores deeper themes, some not explored in recent Marvel Studios films like Guardians of the Galaxy or Thor: The Dark World, though never at the expense of thrilling edge-of-your-seat awesomeness. Some may agrue the film's plotline to be overtly philosophical, but it actually makes for one of the more thought-provoking actioners in the past several years, and one that doesn't devolve into overly loud noise. It's a remarkable movie both visually and narratively, hands down.
DOCTOR STRANGE Blu-ray - Video Quality
Doctor Strange features a digital photography that translates extraordinarily well to Blu-ray. While the image can sometimes go a bit flat and pasty in the film's less vibrant and hypnotic moments, the end result is a well-defined and strikingly detailed 1080p image that holds its own without much complaint. Details are excellent, with Strange's subtly maimed face being one of the best examples (see the first screenshot of this review). Take note of scars, stitches, and other scratches and medical fixtures that make for one of the Blu-ray's best-looking moments. Colors can push ever-so-slightly into a grayish scheme, but when they pop, boy do they pop. Psychadelic purples, cape reds, surgeon glove teals... everything is presented with a natural and appropiately, occasionally vibrant cadence that stays true to the slightly bleak Marvel color scheme though never dumbing down to an uglier constant opacity filter over it. Black levels are impressively deep and hold true and firm throughout. Very mild banding seeps into a few shots, but that's my only complaint. Aliasing? None. Macroblocking? Zilch. Noise? Uh-uh. Let's be honest here; Doctor Strange is by no means the prettiest looking film ever made, but the film's unique special effects are represented very well on the high-definition transfer, all things considered. Good through and through.
Doctor Strange was made for 3D. Throughout the film, there are several demo-worthy moments where the visual effects seem to seamlessly mesh together with the added third dimension, making for a downright exceptional 3D viewing experience. One of the best aspects of this new presentation is the aspect ratio change from the original 2D Blu-ray's 2.39:1 to 1.85:1, in some scenes. The Marvel Studios logo is a fantastic example of this. It's a fantastic start to a soon-to-be mind-blowing 3D presentation, with characters portrayed in the logo seeming to pop out from the screen as the appear and maneuver further back. Then the opening battle scene kicks in, with an incredible depth of field and sensational attention to effects and characters in the frame. It's an excellent reference moment of the added third dimension done right. Even less abundant moments, such as a talk in the hospital, deliver faultless depth and effortless spacing throughout the frame. As for the Blu-ray's net effects, all of them carry over to the 3D version, with the understanding that the film can look a little bit darker as a sort-of "side effect" of switching from 2D to 3D. If you have a 3DTV and/or 3D projector, this is without a doubt the version for you.
DOCTOR STRANGE Blu-ray - Audio Quality
No surprise, Doctor Strange features an entertainingly boisterous DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 lossless soundtrack. It's a fairly atypical big-budget superhero movie soundtrack in all the right ways. The highlight of this soundtrack is the bass activity. It kicks a healthy punch, predictably in the one-on-one action scenes but also in sequences not involving hand-to-hand combat such as Strange's intense car crash. Speaking of, that's a wonderfully reference-worthy moment. We can feel the heat of the crash as his Lamborghini tumbles off of the hill and into the fence. It's a perfect example of how sound design can alter a movie's viewing experience immensely, and wonderfully. There's fabulous weight to each and every action effect, whether big or small, light or heavy. Musical definition is spacious, generous, and worthy, with all seven + .1 speakers benefiting from the treatment without ever sacrificing raw depth and general clarity. Dialogue is expectedly clear and crisp with effortless prioritization and sharp imaging across the entire stage. This is a fabulous track in all areas of concern, made all even better by the fact that this is a Marvel track, for goodness sake!
DOCTOR STRANGE Blu-ray - Special Features
- A Strange Transformation looks at some of main aspects of the making of the film, such as shooting locations, greenscreen behind-the-scenes work, and the intense car crash sequence.
- Strange Company takes a look at the cast of the film and how they fit their roles according to the crew.
- The Fabric of Reality is a featurette on the costume design and set design of the film.
- Across Time and Space talks about the film's interesting fight coreography.
- The Score-cerer Supreme is, as the title suggests, a piece on the film's soundtrack with interviews by composer Michael Giacchino.
- Marvel Studios Phase 3 Exclusive Look A sort-of promotional piece that takes a look at Doctor Strange's place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
- Team Thor: Part 2 A fun little piece that looks at Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and his "life" away from his cacophonous battles.
- Deleted and Extended Scenes include the following: Strange Meets Daniel Drumm, Kaecilius Searches for Answers, The Kamar-Taj Courtyard, Making Contact, and Lost in Kathmandu.
- Gag Reel Becuase what's a Marvel movie without a good 'ol fashioned blooper reel?
- Audio Commentary Director Scott Derrickson narrates an all-around good commentary track. He discusses the film's locations, themes, song selections, and a lot more. Fans should enjoy this well-spoken track.
- A Strange Transformation looks at some of main aspects of the making of the film, such as shooting locations, greenscreen behind-the-scenes work, and the intense car crash sequence.
- Strange Company takes a look at the cast of the film and how they fit their roles according to the crew.
- The Fabric of Reality is a featurette on the costume design and set design of the film.
- Across Time and Space talks about the film's interesting fight coreography.
- The Score-cerer Supreme is, as the title suggests, a piece on the film's soundtrack with interviews by composer Michael Giacchino.
- Marvel Studios Phase 3 Exclusive Look A sort-of promotional piece that takes a look at Doctor Strange's place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
- Team Thor: Part 2 A fun little piece that looks at Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and his "life" away from his cacophonous battles.
- Deleted and Extended Scenes include the following: Strange Meets Daniel Drumm, Kaecilius Searches for Answers, The Kamar-Taj Courtyard, Making Contact, and Lost in Kathmandu.
- Gag Reel Becuase what's a Marvel movie without a good 'ol fashioned blooper reel?
- Audio Commentary Director Scott Derrickson narrates an all-around good commentary track. He discusses the film's locations, themes, song selections, and a lot more. Fans should enjoy this well-spoken track.
DOCTOR STRANGE Blu-ray - Overall Recommendation
Doctor Strange epitomizes the modern superhero film. It proves that you don't just have to have big-budget eye candy to make a successful Marvel adventure. It explores deeper more philisophical themes though never at the risk of sacrificing the fun and entertainment factor that make these sorts of films so damn enjoyable. Bolstered by an excellent lead performance by Benedict Cumberbatch, it's just one of the many high points an already fantastic action film has going for it, and one that's absolutely more than welcome to fit a wonderful place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for future installments. Disney's 3D Blu-ray is equally great. Eye-popping 3D video that's one of the best 3D views out there at the moment, blisteringly aggressive yet wonderfully nuanced 7.1 audio, and a good array of extra supplemental content. I highly recommend Doctor Strange.
EXTRA SCREENSHOTS (Right-click and select 'Open image in new tab' to see full size)
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