Open your mind. Change your reality.

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton, Michael Stuhlbarg, Benjamin Bratt, Scott Adkins, Zara Phythian, Alaa Safi, Katrina Durden

DML Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ - great

"You cannot beat a river into submission; you have to surrender to its current, and use its power as your own." – The Ancient One, regarding magic

Why watch this? This film helped me understand the mysterious Marvel magician, Dr. Strange.

Plot Summary: Dr. Stephen Strange is a brilliant but arrogant neurosurgeon, whose life is shattered after a car accident damages his hands and ends his career. Desperate for a cure when Western medicine fails him, he embarks on a journey that leads him to a mysterious enclave in Nepal where he discovers a hidden world of mystic arts and alternate dimensions. As Strange trains to become a sorcerer, he is drawn into a battle against dark forces that are trying to destroy reality.

Dad's Preview: It is nearly impossible to know the origin story of every super-hero out there. I knew of Dr. Strange, but that was it. This film does a really nice job of telling a story that is unique, engrossing, visually incredible and flat-out a lot of fun. Somehow, in the mass super-hero film market, and namely the MCU, this effort finds a way to be fresh and innovative. Some credit must go to lead actor Benedict Cumberbatch, who is emerging as a versatile actor in his own right (I feel he is this generation's Daniel Day Lewis). He can be numbingly serious, then crack a snarky joke without missing a beat. I also enjoyed both Tilda Swinton's and Chiwetel Ejiofor's supporting performances. This film, rooted in Eastern mysticism, is a perfect addition to the crowded Avengers' team, bringing unique powers matched only by the Scarlet Witch. It's smart and entertaining, so feel free to get a little strange on this one.

Marvel Studios; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures