8 Problems With The MCU That Doctor Strange Doesn't Fix

It's become a bit of a running joke at this point - stretching all the way back to Iron Man 2’s Whiplash - but once again, Marvel have failed to deliver the goods in the villain department.

It's not even the fault of the actors who play the parts either (world-class performers have filled these roles, including Mads Mikkelsen, Mickey Rourke and Christopher Eccleston), but rather, the studio’s undying commitment to the hero’s journey to the point where the villain gets sidelined.

Doctor Strange’s Kaecilius is the latest member of the group that includes the aforementioned whip-wielder, Ant-Man’s Yellowjacket, Guardians Of The Galaxy’s Ronan and The Incredible Hulk’s Abomination, among others. There's nothing wrong with the characters - all have been well-serviced on the page - but their big-screen counterparts are generally given nothing to do or very generic things to do, often reduced to simply being an obstacle for the hero as opposed to a fully-formed character.

Marvel usually excel when it comes to providing a solid arc for the protagonist, but they regularly struggle to balance said arc with everything else surrounding it. A memorable villain is an integral part of the traditional superhero story, but most MCU movies are disjointed, leaning heavily toward the hero. Not only is it a problem that Doctor Strange doesn't fix, it's Marvel's most prolific problem that severely impacts the effectiveness of their stories.

Do you agree with any of these problems? What did you think of Doctor Strange? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!