My Least Favorite MCU Movie: A Deep Dive into 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'

Introduction:

Among the vast and ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), certain films manage to stand out in ways that others do not. For many fans, one particularly divisive movie is 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness'. I, for one, find it hard to navigate its convoluted plot and numerous questionable choices. This review will delve into my perspectives on why this film is my least favorite in the MCU, discussing various elements that left me unsatisfied.

Unsatisfying Story Arcs

Unintelligible Plots: 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' is complete gibberish when it comes to its storytelling. The protagonist, Stephen Strange, ventures into the multiverse to save Wanda from herself. But the risks and consequences of such actions are not clearly explained, leaving the audience confused and disoriented. The turn of events, particularly Wanda's complete transformation into a villain, feels abrupt and illogical. Such inconsistencies undermine the viewer's suspension of disbelief and make the narrative difficult to follow.

Charachter Critiques

Superfluous Characters: The addition of America Chavez as a "good but useless" character is one of the more criticized aspects of the movie. While her presence is a nod to diversity, her lack of significance in the overall plot is a missed opportunity. Moreover, Mister Fantastic's reveal of Black Bolt's powers feels forced and out of place, detracting from the flow of the story. These subplots and characters add filler content instead of enhancing the main narrative.

Unrealistic Expectations: Captain Carter's brief appearance in combat against Wanda also falls flat. It is exceptionally unrealistic to see a character holding their own for even a minute against a powerful sorceress like Wanda. Similarly, the nerfed version of Maria Rambeau's Captain Marvel feels like a wasted opportunity. If Carol Danvers can effectively handle Wanda, why is Rambeau's version seen as inferior? These inconsistencies between the different takes on the same character highlight the unreliability of the movie's writing and direction.

Feeling of Tokenism

Empowerment Subtext: A significant aspect of 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' that irks me is the heavy emphasis on female empowerment. This theme feels tokenistic rather than genuinely integrated into the story. For instance, Taskmaster, a character revealed to be a woman for some reason, serves as a point of discussion around gender and identity. However, this comes across as forced and almost preachy, detracting from the overall narrative. The movie seems to prioritize these themes over delivering a cohesive and engaging storyline.

Harrowing Experience

Split Reviews: While many argue that 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' isn't entirely bad, it is difficult to argue its merits. The movie earns points for its special effects, diversity, and character development. However, it falls short in its storytelling, pacing, and consistency. It's noticeable that the film was rushed, almost feeling like a placeholder for content. The original plan for the movie, as I understand it, was to focus on a woman empowerment story, but the execution felt messy and incomplete.

Conclusion

Final Verdict: 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' is undoubtedly a divisive film in the MCU. For me, it fails to deliver the impactful and cohesive storytelling necessary to justify its place among the MCU offerings. The film's reliance on female characters and empowerment themes often feels tokenistic, and its plot inconsistencies and underdeveloped character arcs contribute to a viewing experience that leaves a lot to be desired. While it has its merits and moments, it is not one of the stronger entries in the MCU canon and rightfully earns my status as the least favorite.