Marvel’s Doctor Strange will be splashing its trippy “Escher stuff” across theater screens on November 4th, but some lucky so-and-so’s snagged seats to an early press screening on Wednesday night. The full reviews are still under embargo, but early reactions made their way to Twitter on Thursday.
This comes just after the news that China hasn’t banned the movie. Marvel expects to make over $100 million in China off Doctor Strange, but there was a risk of a ban if the movie went too far with references to magic or ghosts (Suicide Squad and Ghostbusters were banned in China for those reasons, for example). According to the script co-writer (but denied by Marvel), fear of a ban in China was also the reason Tilda Swinton’s character wasn’t Tibetan.
That’s not to say there isn’t still going to be magic all up in this movie, judging from the reviews and from the recent teaser which made it clear Doctor Strange’s necklace, the Eye of Agamotto, contains the Time Stone, which had already been hinted at by Marvel head Kevin Feige.
As for the early reactions, much was said about just how psychedelic the movie is, and how unexpected the action sequences are:
#DoctorStrange is a stunning visual achievement. A welcome blast of weirdness that opens up the MCU. Super dug it. Maybe best viewed on 🍄🍄🍄
— jen yamato (@jenyamato) October 20, 2016
Doctor Strange – ˙ןnɟɹǝʍod puɐ 'ɹǝʌǝןɔ pןɹoʍ sıɥʇ ɟo ʇno ˙ɐɔıɹǝɯɐ uıɐʇdɐɔ ǝɔuıs ʇsǝq s,ןǝʌɹɐɯ ˙ʞɔnɟ puıɯ ןɐnsıʌ buıuıɐʇɹǝʇuǝ ʎןɹɐןnɔɐʇɔǝds ɐ
— Alex B. (@firstshowing) October 19, 2016
#DoctorStrange : Showstoppers are the kaleidoscopic, trippy visuals. Sufficient at dealing w/ stakes in special-effects driven worlds.
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) October 20, 2016
#DoctorStrange is just phenomenal. Visually one of the most stunning films in years.
— Ashley Menzel (@mrsashleymenzel) October 20, 2016
The action sequences in #DoctorStrange are unlike anything Marvel's done. There are so ferociously loopy, frenetic & nerdy, I adore them.
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) October 20, 2016
DOCTOR STRANGE is unlike any previous Marvel movie and that’s why I love Marvel. They keep pushing boundaries and make it look easy.
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) October 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/JLDlite/status/788969157115023360
https://twitter.com/AlexRWelch/status/788969098801733632
Remember when The Mateix made you rethink what was possible in an action sequence? Dr Strange does that 4 or 5 times.
— Jeff Cannata (@jeffcannata) October 20, 2016
Which prompted some to declare the 3D version worth the extra cost:
Doctor Strange's action set pieces make an MC Escher paintings look tame. Some really great, clever, incentive stuff. Worth the 3D ticket.
— /Film (@slashfilm) October 20, 2016
Visuals in DOCTOR STRANGE are fantastic. Actually worth seeing in 3D. Cumberbatch is great as the Sorcerer Supreme.
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) October 20, 2016
Also stick around for two post-credits scenes:
DOCTOR STRANGE has two after the credits scenes like most Marvel movies. They both set up future things…trying to stay spoiler free.
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) October 20, 2016
And apparently keep an eye out for the scene-stealing Cloak of Levitation. (That’s levitation, Holmes!)
Seriously the #CloakOfLevitation stole the movie for me – it's its own wonderful character that I can't wait to see more of 😊 pic.twitter.com/RhrAwWNA9a
— Andy Signore (@andysignore) October 20, 2016
It wasn’t 100% positive, of course:
https://twitter.com/AlexRWelch/status/788969261737869312
https://twitter.com/dan_man4/status/788979706439794688
Even beyond its insane visuals (cool stuff like you've never seen before), #DoctorStrange is tons of fun. A bit formulaic, but very solid.
— Ben Pearson (@benpears) October 20, 2016
So… I've seen #DoctorStrange. Thoughts: visually magnificent, solid Marvel structure, wobbly jokes, very impressive Benedict Cumberbatch. pic.twitter.com/gGpqieKqIV
— Ali Plumb (@AliPlumb) October 20, 2016
Speaking of Benedict Cumberbatch, Uproxx’s own Mike Ryan made the case that Dr. Strange is so Tony Stark-like he might be taking that role in the MCU when Robert Downey Jr. eventually leaves.
Strange and Stark are *almost* the same character. Makes sense now they'd hire big star Cumberbatch to phase in while Downey phases out.
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) October 20, 2016
But remember to stay safe out there, you guys…
https://twitter.com/JackGi/status/789369212473008129
(Via Variety, Screen Rant, CBM, /film, and The Wrap)
