Doctor Strange

“I’m not ready”

“No one ever is. We don’t get to choose our time.”

I was about to take an indefinite break from blogging. Well that possibility is still in the cards. But then something strange happened. Doctor Stephen Strange. And when the new Marvel movie is in the block you blog about it, no matter how badly life is kicking you left, right and center.

On Monday morning there were 8 people in total at the multiplex. Including me. I love watching movie in empty theatres. It makes me feel privileged. And also, I can freely express my emotions (read cry the fuck out in the dark). Doctor Strange gave me plenty of such chances. Well I have told here before, I take my life lessons from Marvel movies. So when Doctor Strange drawls, “Pain’s an old friend” the line between the fiction and the reality suddenly goes blurred.

Doctor Stephen Strange is an eminent neurosurgeon from New York whose life comes to a standstill after a car accident. Severe nerve damage in both hands leads the Doctor find a cure for it and he ends up in Nepal. There he joins an ancient mystic cult and his life changes. Forever. It is beautiful how one disaster can sometimes lead you to greater things in life.

If you ask who are the real superheroes in the world of Marvel Studios I would say the people who are in charge of casting. Chris Evans. Robert Downy Jr., Tom Hiddleston. And now Benedict Cumberbatch. If there is anyone in the universe (or multiverse) who deserves to be Doctor Strange, it would be him and him only. And look, he already is. No one can portray the egotistical, arrogant, genius but innately vulnerable, slightly lost but good-hearted neurosurgeon cum sorcerer Doctor Strange. Sometimes it felt as if I was watching an American version of Sherlock, without a Martin Freeman.

Tilda Swinton is a powerful actress and she is amazing as the Ancient One – a centuries old great sorceress. Mads Mikkelsen has always been one of my favourite actors, especially after Hannibal. He plays Kaecilius here – the rogue one from the Order who wants to hand over earth to the dark forces in order to gain eternal life. And Mordo’s (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor) catch line is already my favourite. “The bill comes due.”

As an optimist and a Buddhist I believe that no end is permanent and absolute. Life is a cycle of periodical happiness and suffering. When the dark comes you just need to keep your eyes open to find that one little source of light to reassure you that darkness, like everything else, does not last forever. Thor Ragnarok is coming in 2017 and as far as the post-credit scene goes, Doctor Strange will be there. A Marvel movie starring both Cumberbatch and Hiddleston. Well I found my little ray of light at the end of the tunnel for now. Thank you Marvel, again.