Review by C.J. Bunce
In a year with Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse, Captain America: Civil War, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and Suicide Squad, only one really knocked our socks off beginning to end with no caveats. Doctor Strange, our pick for last year’s best superhero movie, began with a hotshot medical whiz played as smartly as ever by Benedict Cumberbatch, who embarked on an intriguing story arc with the help of a mystic brilliantly played by Tilda Swinton. Along the way Cumberbatch introduced us to the next great character of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a dead ringer for the classic comic book character who sports the coolest cloak ever, and wields otherworldly special effect powers that really look great in 3D. Plus, we had a great villain in Mads Mikkelsen’s Kaecilius, humor, and a solid supporting cast. Next week Doctor Strange makes its way to online streaming services with the 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and DVD release scheduled for February 28, 2017.
Doctor Strange includes the best recent use of 3D in the theater, so if you have the 3D player and compatible TV the 3D Blu-ray will be the way to go. Viewing it in 3D in the theater was a must, from Doctor Strange’s spell weapons to a world colliding with an amped up Spirograph meets Kaleidoscope-infused reality, from conflicts on Salvador Dali paintings come to life and M.C. Escher and Labyrinth-inspired battlefields, to journeys through distant outer space and beyond time. Crisp clarity and beautiful cinematography reveals modern effects at their best thanks to the production of Kevin Feige–who has coordinated everything Marvel for both Disney and Twentieth Century Fox–and director of photography Ben Davis (Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Kick-Ass, Stardust, Layer Cake).
Look forward to some great costume work from Academy Award-winning costume designer Alexandra Byrne (Hamlet, Elizabeth, The Phantom of the Opera, The Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy). And Michael Giacchino is finally back with a superb musical score more on par with his work on The Incredibles than more recent soundtrack efforts. Giacchino really hedged his bets last year, producing soundtracks to 2016 releases Star Trek Beyond, Zootopia, Doctor Strange, and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Giacchino really justified his place as an Oscar-winning composer with his brilliant score for Doctor Strange, a score we think was on par with his superb work on The Incredibles.
After the break, check out all the extras for the home edition release and an unusual–unusually cute–trailer for the home release of Doctor Strange:
- A Strange Transformation — See how the filmmakers brought one of comic books’ greatest characters to life
- Strange Company — Find out what it’s like for the cast to work on a Marvel film, and how director Scott Derrickson engineered this unique production
- The Fabric of Reality — Take a closer look at the movie’s sets, costumes and production elements
- Across Time and Space — Explore the dance and fight choreography the actors endured in preparation for their roles
- The Score-cerer Supreme — Join composer Michael Giacchino and a full orchestra during live recording sessions, and experience the movie’s music
- Marvel Studios Phase 3 Exclusive Look — Get an early peek at Marvel’s upcoming films, including MARVEL STUDIOS’ GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2, THOR: RAGNAROK, BLACK PANTHER and AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR
- Team Thor: Part 2 — See more of the partnership between Thor and his roommate Darryl in this satirical short
- Audio commentary with director Scott Derrickson
- Deleted Scenes
- Gag Reel
- And, at Target stores only, Defying Gravity — The Art and Visual Effects of Doctor Strange
Among the best of this century’s superhero movies and joining the top echelon of Marvel films, Doctor Strange is coming to Blu-ray, 3D Blu-ray, and DVD, this February 28, 2017. Look for it on streaming services February 14, 2017.
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