5 Ways Marvel's Doctor Strange Movie Let You Down

2. The Stakes Are Not Relatable

Since this movie was made on Earth and was intended for Earthlings, putting the planet in danger means that we will all be invested in the outcome, but at this point it feels like laziness. The whole planet is threatened… again. We’ve seen this so many times, whether it’s Earth or Xandar or Asgard. Sure, instead of being taken over or destroyed, it’s being absorbed into the Dark Dimension, which is kind of different, but ultimately the end result is the same.

Instead of opening the door for Dormammu, who is basically just evil incarnate and thus not very interesting, Kaecilius could have been after the method to alter the timeline and undo a tragic event that happened to him. The tampering could have the disastrous side-effect of causing a tear in the fabric of reality (or something equally devastating). Kaecilius could offer to change the past for Dr. Strange so the accident never happened and his hands were never injured. The Ancient One would forbid changing past events, but when it’s exposed that she’s been breaking natural law to stay alive, it would make Stephen wonder if he’s chosen the right side. In order to save the integrity of reality, Strange would have to fully turn his back on his old life and dedicate himself to the new path. Yes, the version we saw has Strange being a little hesitant to join up with the sorcery gang, but after The Ancient One dies, he is willing to accept his new role just because it’s time for him to do that in the story. Besides, if he was so focused on merely healing his hands and returning to his old life, why was he so obsessed with learning other subjects? Instead of asking Wong for books on astral projection, he should’ve been demanding to see every book on quick hand repair.

Strange could’ve started his mystical journey with self-absorbed impatience. When Kaecilius attacks, he could’ve been fed up with all of the Yoda speeches and wondering why The Ancient One was refusing to teach him the skills he truly desired to know. She could detect his attitude and wonder if she’d made the same mistake as she had with Kaecilius. The similarities between Kaecilius and Strange were only briefly touched upon when they could’ve been a driving factor in the characterization of both. When Kaecilius offers Strange the opportunity to be a surgeon again and Strange refuses, it would be a very powerful moment because up to that point it would have been his only goal. Accepting that the natural order should not be changed and resisting a selfish outcome would be his defining moment. We would say to ourselves, “NOW he’s a hero.” This would help make it feel like the story was happening to the characters, rather than around them.