Doctor Strange is undeniably fun from start to finish.
By introducing the mystic arts, the multiverse, and a whole lot of Dormammu, the Benedict
Cumberbatch-starring superhero sorcery story keeps Marvel Studios' streak alive into the
latter half of 2016.
But it's not perfect.
Call us nitpickers, call us buzzkills, call us acolytes of the dark dimension, but we're
about to dive into some of the less magical aspects of Doctor Strange's plot.
While its story is actually really tight overall, there are still a few niggling plot holes
and contrivances that you can't simply wave away with the Wand of Watoomb...
"Teach me!"
...no matter how hard you try.
Oh, and it should go without saying, but let's say the magic words anyway: massive spoilers
ahead.
Insecurity system
The movie begins with Kaecilius, played by Mads Mikkelsen, breaking into the Ancient
One's library to steal a couple of pages from one of her very favorite books.
These books contain the most advanced knowledge and spells in the Ancient One's possession.
They're pretty important!
That must be why she keeps them loosely draped in chains that appear to be entirely decorative.
It goes without saying that Kaecilius needs to steal the pages describing the ritual for
the movie to, y'know, actually happen, it wouldn't have taken much more on the movie's
part to make it a little harder for the bad guy to actually steal them.
And hey, while we're on that subject, why didn't Kaecilius just take the whole book?
Of course, if that happened, then the book wouldn't be incredibly easy for our hero,
Doctor Strange, to take a look at when he needed to learn about the rituals later in
the movie.
Speaking of which…
Oh, hey, Kaecilius
Isn't it weird that, on the night that Strange wanders into the magic library, when he reads
from the book with the missing ritual pages stolen by Kaecilius, when he teaches himself
how to use the all-powerful Eye of Agamotto that can manipulate time itself … that's
the very night — the very moment — when the villain decides to launch his attack on
all three magical sanctums, including the library itself.
Not only that, but it also happens literally seconds after Doctor Strange says that he
won't be "dragged into some sort of mystical war!"
That's bad timing, Doc.
Next time, why don't you try saying,
"I've got a bad feeling about this"
Or maybe…
"I don't know how much more I can take."
"Aahhh!"
Those words, too, must be powerful spells that magically compel the plot to move forward
at the most dramatic moment.
Eye, oh my...
While we're on the subject of that scene in the library, Wong and Mordo both seem pretty
unhappy about how Strange went and started messing with the Eye of Agamotto.
The two tell him about all the terrible consequences that could come from monkeying with the timestream,
and then they put the book back.
Just one thing, though: why didn't they take that big honkin' amulet off of him, too?
Oh, it's so he can have it during the villain fight that's about to take place for the rest
of the movie?
Oh, okay.
That's cool.
No time to explain
We hear a vague list of consequences that the world might possibly face as a result
of Strange's experiments with the Eye, like time loops and alternate timelines or something
equally unspecified.
And, hey: we all saw Back to the Future Part II.
Nobody wants Biff Tannen to take over the world and get down with our moms.
"Noooooo!"
But aside from the time loops that were admittedly part of the extremely clever and satisfying
climactic battle with Dormammu, we never actually learn anything concrete about the dangers
of screwing with time.
It kind of seems like there might be no actual consequences at all, despite Mordo thinking
that they're dire enough to leave the good guys and become a supervillain by the end.
But what was really so very bad about using the Eye to save the entire planet from being
sucked into the Dark Dimension?
Kung fu cloak
Remember that wacky magic carpet from Aladdin?
The one that was so expressive and fun, despite not having a mouth or eyes or even a face?
Well, that carpet's back — in cloak form.
That's right, the Cloak of Levitation is the magical item that takes a liking to the good
doctor and helps him in his battle against Kaecilius and his goons in the New York sanctum.
It's pretty handy.
Except … when it isn't, like when Doctor Strange gets stabbed in the chest.
And literally any other time after its initial introduction.
The cloak seems to have a mind of its own and acts as an important ally for Strange
on his heroic quest — but only when it's convenient.
Otherwise, it's just, y'know, a cape.
But a fancy-looking cape!
Two sanctums, or three?
We learn from Wong that there are three sanctums protecting the world from evil.
Kaecilius and his minions take down the one in London, and destroy the one in Hong Kong.
And that's when Dormammu's Dark dimension starts to come through.
But the New York sanctum is still standing.
So how many of these things does the world actually need?
Follow-up appointment
Regardless of whatever plot holes or hiccups we think we may have found here, Doctor Strange
was hugely fun.
When it comes to an amazing introduction to the weird, magical side of the Marvel Cinematic
Universe, one thing's for sure: the Doctor is in.
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