This movie serves as a great opening title to Sam Raimi's return as a director to a Marvel movie. He points a figurative "middle finger" to Disney's creative restrictions, by directing with his own unique style, following the footsteps of his very first dip in movies: that of the horror element. However, he doesn't do it with a silly or stupid way, but one that makes you chuckle, almost perversely, to the violence (something never seen to such extend in a Marvel movie, until now). Adding to that effect is the fact that he doesn't linger on senseless overuse of effects on the universes or character's abilities, but he uses them frugally, letting the characters carry the scenes. Even if he is a bit over the top, I found that I sorely missed a Raimi-touched Marvel movie.
Now, on to the characters, they are the ones that carry a well directed movie with a submarginal screenplay. Elisabeth Olsen is simply superb, offering a performance of a grieving mother that is capable of not only melting the heart of the coldest viewer, but to make them sympathise with her disastrously taken path. Under Raimi's guidance, we see a different, insane and utterly dangerous Wanda, with Olsen transferring her emotional weight tremendously well. Benedict Cumberbatch is equally emotive, witty and simultaneously tragic, giving his special touch in all of the different variations of Doctor Strange we see in the film. The secondary characters are handled well and, fortunately, without interfering much in the main battle between Wanda and Strange.
Is it the best movie in Phase 4? I believe so. That alone says a lot, however, about the (lacking) quality of the Phase, and the stakes it strives to reach. As such, MoM is not perfect. It has its issues, mostly residing within the mediocre to bad screenplay. America Chavez appears in the beginning without any explanation or reason, a lot of the outcomes feel childishly, conveniently settled, and the ending was seriously underwhelming given what we've went through the entire movie. It feels as if Michael Waldron and Jade Bartlett, the screenwriters, wanted to just get done with it. It's such a shame because both the actors and the director deserved much more than such a half - assed attempt.
I give it 7 stars. It's not perfect, but it's most certainly fun. If you watch it without high expectations, you'll certainly enjoy it.
Now, on to the characters, they are the ones that carry a well directed movie with a submarginal screenplay. Elisabeth Olsen is simply superb, offering a performance of a grieving mother that is capable of not only melting the heart of the coldest viewer, but to make them sympathise with her disastrously taken path. Under Raimi's guidance, we see a different, insane and utterly dangerous Wanda, with Olsen transferring her emotional weight tremendously well. Benedict Cumberbatch is equally emotive, witty and simultaneously tragic, giving his special touch in all of the different variations of Doctor Strange we see in the film. The secondary characters are handled well and, fortunately, without interfering much in the main battle between Wanda and Strange.
Is it the best movie in Phase 4? I believe so. That alone says a lot, however, about the (lacking) quality of the Phase, and the stakes it strives to reach. As such, MoM is not perfect. It has its issues, mostly residing within the mediocre to bad screenplay. America Chavez appears in the beginning without any explanation or reason, a lot of the outcomes feel childishly, conveniently settled, and the ending was seriously underwhelming given what we've went through the entire movie. It feels as if Michael Waldron and Jade Bartlett, the screenwriters, wanted to just get done with it. It's such a shame because both the actors and the director deserved much more than such a half - assed attempt.
I give it 7 stars. It's not perfect, but it's most certainly fun. If you watch it without high expectations, you'll certainly enjoy it.
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