Doctor Strange Review: 8 Ups & 5 Downs

6. The Action Sequences

Obviously the effects of Doctor Strange will be endlessly praised when it's on wider worldwide release (and I'll get to them soon) but there's something massive to be said about the action sequences themselves.

The fight choreography is inventive and stunning to watch, incorporating ridiculous eye-watering effects sequences and brutal close combat and weapon work. And while they punctuate the plot in a very pointed way, they never feel perfunctory or like they're designed to distract from any of the film's narrative shortcomings.

The imagination that has gone into those set-pieces - in particular the first fight between The Ancient One and Kaecilius and then the time-bending finale almost defy description. They are absolute triumphs of effects, conception and effects, and it is they that will draw a lot of fans back for multiple viewings. Or at least they should.