Doctor Strange (Derrickson) 2016

It's about time. No literally, this entire movie is about time...and our definition of reality, and different planes of existence, so basically nothing like any of the other "superhero" films you've seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far.

We meet Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), a highly successful neurosurgeon practicing in New York City. He has a life threatening car accident which crushes his hands, leaving him unable to continue performing life saving surgeries. After failing to find any hope for healing in traditional medicine, Strange heads to Nepal and seeks out someone called The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) in Kamar-Taj. There he meets Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Wong (Benedict Wong) who help him understand that there is more to reality than meets the eye.

The Ancient One, Mordo, and Wong introduce Strange to their fight against Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) who is working for a dark being called Dormammu (also voiced by Cumberbatch), trying to claim Earth for himself. Strange must take everything he has learned from the wizards and face Dormammu using the Time Stone to fold time back on itself.

Doctor Strange was deservedly nominated for the Oscar for Best Visual Effects. If you've seen the film, you'll understand why. It ended up losing to the equally impressive visuals in The Jungle Book.

Like Ant-Man the previous year, Doctor Strange is not absolutely required for understanding what happens in Infinity War and Endgame, but does highlight the latest addition to the Infinity Stone family, the Time Stone.

​​7 out of 10

Previous: Captain America: Civil War | Next: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Get Ready for Endgame

---