Doctor Strange is something I never thought I would see on the big screen. In a cinematic universe full of murderous robots, Norse gods walking on bridges made of rainbows, and a Colossus of Rhodes-sized man swinging around the wing of a 747 like a baseball bat, the thought of an arrogant surgeon who discovers a hidden world of magic might not seem that weird. But it is that weird. Doctor Strange makes Guardians of the Galaxy seem normal by comparison with its heady brew of villains going on metaphysical rants, tessellating cityscapes, and multiversal mayhem. Yet what truly elevates Doctor Strange above its peers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is its jaw-dropping, third-eye-opening, delightfully weird visual effects.
For the first time in a long time, I can recommend seeing a film in 3D, because that is the best way to get the full impact of the Steve Ditko-influenced, acid-fired visuals and set pieces that the filmmakers have created on the big screen. Recently, I sat down with Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Benedict Wong, and writer/director Scott Derrickson to pick their brains about the film’s mind-bending visual effects, how they elevated the film’s storytelling, and their reaction upon seeing the finished product for the first time.What part of Doctor Strange are you most excited to see on the big screen? Let us know in the comments below!
Going to see the film? Be sure to read our spoiler-free review of Doctor Strange!
Doctor Strange is in theaters everywhere on November 4, 2016.
Dan Casey is the senior editor of Nerdist and the author of books about Star Wars and the Avengers. Follow him on Twitter and ask him about all things anime (@Osteoferocious).
