This post is sponsored by Dolby Cinema. All opinions are my own and the opinions of my friends who were lucky enough to go while I was working.
I hate missing a free movie. HATE it. I REALLY hate it when it was a movie I wanted to see anyway. Doctor Strange has been high on my list of movies to see. So I gave some friends my free tickets and let them enjoy the morning.
I am going to end up paying to see it this week. Everyone loved it.
They were lucky enough that the free tickets we received were for AMC Hampton Town Centre 24 in Hampton, VA. This is a Dolby Cinema- the best seats, the best sound, super clean… it’s a FANTASTIC theatre.
Check out the seats below- do you see how big and comfy they look?
Someone was excited!
Doctor Strange Review (As Told By My Friend Rob)
Marvel’s origin story telling is on point with Doctor Strange. Just to waylay your fears, this will be a spoiler free review.
I have two main rules when I go to the theater. My first rule of a good/great movie watching experience is I want to be transported. Take me somewhere I have never been and keep me there willingly. Check! The Dolby Cinema at AMC theater helps this alot. The vibrant colors on the screen, top notch sound system (the treble was a bit high at the beginning of the movie but someone adjusted it a few minutes in) and super comfortable chairs mean I can completely immerse myself in the movie without being distracted by the things going on around me.
During some parts of the movie the sound was rolling from one side of the room to the other. It was unbelievably cool.
The second is to make me feel something which is hopefully not boredom. Good news is that Doctor Strange is exactly, dare I say, what the doctor prescribed for a few hours to forget real life and be overcome by a wonderful story and beautiful music.
This movie had a story to tell that was more rooted in an area that Marvel has not delved into as of yet- the mystical/spiritual. The movie makers were faced with a difficult story to tell visually. This movie could have been fraught with implausible mystical effects but to their credit they did not disappoint. The balance of reality and mystics were brought to life and never crossed the threshold of the absurd. This very easily could have been a flop just on this aspect alone. Some of the best moments in the film are when the two collide.
What also makes this movie great is the story. What I have grown to understand about Marvel is when they play to their strengths they are very successful. Marvel origin movies are just that, a strength, because we get to meet a character and learn his/her story. It is when they expand on the same character’s world is when Marvel’s story telling begins to unravel a bit. The only time they have successfully broken this trend is with Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Don’t get me started on the Iron Man series. But I digress.
Time will tell if they can move beyond this well-made movie and keep us interested in him. Benedict Cumberbatch (just felt my computer shake with the swooning of millions of women- including A Frugal Chick) was a perfect choice to give us Doctor Strange. His command of the character’s essence is palpable and in good hands. I definitely think he will be a welcomed voice to the increasingly of late stale commentary we have had in recent Avengers outings. Like many I was losing some of my excitement for new installments but am now hopeful again. Especially when all of these worlds cross over.
The rest of the Doctor Strange cast members- Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Mads Mikkelsen, and Tilda Swinton- all did a wonderful job of enriching the world surrounding our main character. One of my favorite scenes in the movie comes toward the end and involves Benedict Wong.
Bottom line is don’t miss this one. Oh don’t forget to stay through the credits there are two cut scenes one almost at the beginning of the credits and one at the end. Both are worth the wait. As a side note, I personally think the first one is way to fun to miss however the second one was way too predictable. I think most of you will agree with me.
A Chick’s Opinion
I can’t give you too much of my own opinion having not seen the film but I know I get e-mails often about taking kids to these movies. I just wanted to point it that it is a PG-13 rating- not for the little ones. From talking to my friends who saw it the rating was earned mostly by violence/action sequences.
If you have the chance to see Doctor Strange at a Dolby Cinema I REALLY encourage you to try. They don’t play in these theatres for long- whatever the next big release is will be in next week. So click here to check for a theatre near you and look for movie times!
