The verdict is out on Sam Raimi’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and critics are divided in their early take on Marvel Studios’ sequel. Praises are high for MCU’s gore-filled mysterious sequences, amped up by Danny Elfman’s soundtrack with acclaimed reactions towards Elizabeth Olsen’s performance. However, many are pointing at the movie’s lackluster script as the main issue though its action-packed cameo-filled surprises don’t take away the theatre entertaining experience.
The Red Carpet premiere for Doctor Strange 2 in Hollywood, LA has wrapped and with embargos lifted for early social media reactions – critics’ non-spoiler tweet reviews are out with cheers aimed at Raimi for delivering Marvel’s first haunting experience in a PG-13 flick. Some are even complimenting it as the weirdest and grossest Marvel yet. Unfortunately, critics are also poking at the film’s disjointed narrative jumping from one set piece to another, probably due to the nature of the film’s multiverse element.
Benedict Wong’s Wong and Benedict Cumberbatch’s Stephen Strange have received plaudits as well with Xochitl Gomez getting a thumbs up as a newcomer. Readers can check the reactions below.
By far the creepiest, gnarliest, zaniest, most haunting & terrifying Marvel movie, #MultiverseOfMadness definitely brings the Sam Raimi horror vibes, and I loved that about it. Danny Elfman’s music is a perfect fit for the film’s odd, mysterious tone & Elizabeth Olsen is MVP, imo pic.twitter.com/R5Ybhnd4rl
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) May 3, 2022
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is the weirdest, grossest Marvel movie yet. It’s wildly disjointed, partially on purpose, so it doesn’t always work but the horror, and especially Wanda, work incredibly well. Plus wow. What huge surprises. pic.twitter.com/HwZUZ4Nygw
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) May 3, 2022
Pretty much my thoughts 👇🏼 #MultiverseOfMadness https://t.co/NSCDfMka0g
— Beatrice Verhoeven (@bverhoev) May 3, 2022
DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS is a wild, cameo-filled ride. Elizabeth Olsen stands out with an incredible performance & Sam Raimi delivers a marvelous visual spectacle infused with personality & a breakneck pace that would have benefited from a stronger structure. pic.twitter.com/Y5zvCJCk4d
— Diego Andaluz (@thediegoandaluz) May 3, 2022
I didn't love #MultiverseOfMadness. There's interesting thematic ideas—moral superiority, isolation—but they're undone by a mad sprint from one set piece to the other and muddled character arcs. Could've used a bit more actual multiverse exploration. Still, Wong is MVP. 6.5/10 pic.twitter.com/nnQa79Txk6
— Brandon Katz (@Great_Katzby) May 3, 2022
Sam Raimi should've entered the MCU ages ago, but I can't think of a better project than #DoctorStrange #MultiverseOfMadness … Not convinced *this* was the best script, but his direction had me on the edge of my seat 🙌🏽
— Britt (@BB18180) May 3, 2022
#MultiverseOfMadness is a Sam Raimi movie first and an MCU movie second. The visuals are impressive, the score from Danny Elfman elevated the action scenes, and Raimi delivered on the horror elements. Olsen and Cumberbatch are excellent in this. The script is the only issue. pic.twitter.com/Ylh6O6eNkY
— manda spector 🌙 (@amxndareviews) May 3, 2022
Peeps gonna be heavily divided on this one – 😍 or 😝!
Review tomorrow at 9am EST
It’s gonna be interesting!#Marvel #MCU pic.twitter.com/GHEtORWRuQ— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) May 3, 2022
Marvel takes a BIG swing with #DoctorStrange Elizabeth Olsen absolutely delivers and Raimi has his stamp all over it, but there’s a disjointed and chaotic rush to it. pic.twitter.com/05SetN1lqk
— Paul McGuire Grimes (@PaulsMovieTrip) May 3, 2022
#MultiverseOfMadness is the fever dream, action-packed movie only Sam Raimi could do. It takes the usual MCU formula, adds in the Multiverse, a few cameos, then cranks it up to 100. I loved every second. Xochitl Gomez and Lizzie Olsen were standouts within a star-studded cast. pic.twitter.com/JQnaeQA6Ya
— Big Screen Leafs (@bigscreenleaks) May 3, 2022
#DoctorStrange in the #MultiverseOfMadness is a FEVER DREAM that only Sam Raimi could tell.
TWISTED, STUNNING & MESMERIZING describe the performances by Cumberbatch, Olsen and the KALEIDOSCOPIC visuals on screen.
Xochitl Gomez will be a crowd favourite. pic.twitter.com/4jKCJdHotK
— Shahbaz – The Movie Podcast (@shayhbaz) May 3, 2022
#DoctorStrange in the #MultiverseOfMadness is MARVEL AT THEIR BEST. Sam Raimi delivers a fast paced superhero horror with DAZZLING visuals and magical moments fans will remember FOREVER. Cumberbatch & Olsen deliver their strongest MCU performances and Xochitl Gomez is the future. pic.twitter.com/yErRqtnTky
— Daniel Baptista – The Movie Podcast (@dbapz) May 3, 2022
So the general consensus on Doctor Strange is "This ain't for children folks. Leave the kids at home" #Horror
— John Campea (@johncampea) May 3, 2022
DOCTOR STRANGE 2: Rushed plotting and a messy (yet ambitious) script can't hold back Raimi from absolutely being in his bag (insofar as the MCU will let him, which is more than you think but still not enough). The best one of these MCU movies will likely ever look or feel.
— William Goodman (@goodmanw) May 3, 2022
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness might be the weirdest marvel movie yet. I was surprised at how dark and even gorey it gets. Some big surprises. See it opening weekend.
— Peter Sciretta 🔜 SWCA (@PeterSciretta) May 3, 2022
Earlier in 2021, Multiverse of Madness underwent extensive reshoots which wrapped this year in January. The further additional photography helped add more cameos exploring alternate versions of characters like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Loki. But some scenes were also removed on instructions from Marvel. It shouldn’t come as a surprise to fans that the second installment feels rushed, especially since a new promo from Doctor Strange 2 had glaring errors showing a movie extra pop-up several times in the same sequence.
Some insiders like Grace Randolph even noted that Doctor Strange 2’s original release date was rescheduled due to test audiences noting story issues that needed fixing as well as adding more weight with Easter eggs. It still remains to be seen if some of the wild rumored cameos like Tom Cruise’s Iron Man variant, Deadpool & more will appear in Multiverse of Madness.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness hits theatres on May 6.
