This article comes fromDen of Geek UK.
This article contains massive spoilers forDoctor Strange.
After all, Doctor Strange isnt your average whatever that is Marvel hero.
Theres no huge in-built audience here, outside of those following the Marvel cinematic universe religiously.
And, to a degree, the film lives up to that risky billing.
Theres a horror-ish undercurrent to the movie.
It feels just a little different from what Marvel has been serving up.
In fact, theres no punch up at all come the big, ultimate showdown.
I should be clear: I dont have an aversion to a big fight ending in a film.
I just like it to be well done, and to mean something.
Whedon, for me, nailed that.
But lord, it hasnt stopped others from trying.
Its not just restricted to comic book movies, either.
An overwhelming majority of blockbusters are drawing to a close with the aid of their biggest CG showdown.
Recent examples and theres no shortage includeJurassic World,Star Trek Beyond,Ghostbusters,andIndependence Day: Resurgence.
Its not to their advantage, Id argue.
But it also seems sometimes as though theres only one ending available in Final Drafts big blockbuster finale template.
Or that you better defeat some kind of end of level boss to get to the others.
WithDoctor Strange, I admit I feared the worst.
But here, it didnt happen.
Instead, Doctor Strange outwitted Dormammu.
Not a punch was thrown.
He played his metaphorical cards, he didnt resort to one flick of violence, and he still won.
To give the film credit, this approach runs through most of its battles.
It shouldnt be, of course.
There was a time when blockbuster movies didnt religiously follow the usual final act template.
Heck, I still remember Batman taking off his mask and gasping come the end ofBatman Returns.
Hes trying toreasonwith Catwoman, rather than having a big scrap?
Its to the films benefit that it does so, I think.
Dormammu goes through the usual antagonist playbook of course, finding cinematically expensive ways to kill Cumberbatchs Strange.
Yet it doesnt work.
Cumberbatch wants a compromise agreement.
Hes there to bargain with his foe to save the world.
Violence, tellingly, doesnt work.
It takes not trying violence to resolve things.
That this story cant close until you stop trying to fight, and just have a chat instead.
I could have stood and applauded right there, in truth.
Well, apart from the fact that I live in England, and we dont do that.
But it feels too long since weve seen this approach taken.
I hope an assortment of Hollywood executives watch and learn.
