Benedict Cumberbatch is the latest actor to enter the Marvel Universe. He plays an arrogant neurosurgeon who suffers a devastating accident and resorts to mysticism for a “cure.” This results in his acquisition of superpowers and a cool cape. Unlike many of these flicks, this one doesn’t rely on typically destructive physical encounters. Instead there are trippy visual effects and cool superpowers. There are also several tedious scenes of metaphysical mumbo jumbo that stop the pace and a sometimes confusing sense of what’s actually happening. Cumberbatch ably handles his character’s haughtiness with depth. There’s also a touch of humor to keep things from getting too self-important. Overall, it’s more original and better than many in the franchise, but it’s still somewhat mystifying and overly talky. NOTE: As usual, stay thru the credits for a somewhat puzzling teaser.
(3.5 / 5)