as*small spoiler alert*

Following the events of “Wandavision” and “Loki,” “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” delves into the idea of what it means to fight for what you believe in and the impact your choices can have on others.

The film follows Doctor Steven Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, and America Chavez, played by Xochitl Gomez as they travel through multiple universes in attempts to track down and stop Wanda Maximoff, also known as the Scarlet Witch, played by Elizabeth Olsen.

With a plot this complex, the task to still make the visuals in the film clear and enticing was not an easy feat. However, as usual, Marvel soared above and beyond expectations and put out a beautiful film packed with action, mystery and suspense. 

What was so interesting about this film is that Maximoff, who has always walked the fine line between protagonist and antagonist, attempts to consult the dark arts in order to switch universes so that she can be with her children. 

While her intentions seem innocent, she is willing to commit crimes in order to get what she wants and so Strange and Chavez attempt to step in. This begs the audience to consider who they truly want to win, and what they are willing to accept in a character based on both their intentions and motivations.

This movie also does a fantastic job with representation. “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” offers Chavez, a lesbian, the chance to shine while expressing herself. Throughout the film, she is shown wearing a pride pin and articles of clothing that contain the message “Amor es Amor,” which translates to “love is love.” Chavez has two mothers, and her sexuality is not hidden from those who work with her. 

In terms of the plot itself, Marvel was able to seamlessly incorporate the ideas of including multiple universes and realities into one moment. When Chavez and Strange travel through the multiverse in order to find alternate Stranges, they pass through multiple realities, including one where they are made entirely of paint, one where they are made entirely of crystals and one where their bodies are separated into individual cubes. While this might be something that can be easily imagined, it is not so easy to put it into a physical form, whether it be through cinematography or through graphic design and video editing. Marvel did a fantastic job of switching seamlessly between the two, allowing for it to be easy on the eyes as Chavez and Strange switched in and out of realities along with switching in and out of solid forms.

This movie was one of the best Marvel productions that I have ever seen. Olsen perfectly emulated the strong emotions coursing through Maximoff’s mind, along with outdoing herself with phenomenal acting and facial expressions. My only complaint would be that it did not fill any of the loose ends given to us from “No Way Home” and “Loki.” However, I think that those will be answered in either “Loki” season two or another “Spiderman.” Instead, this movie went in its own direction, relating all the way back to “Wandavision” and providing us with the story of an entirely new heroine and an antagonist trying to see her family.

This movie was definitely worth the months-long wait. I regret nothing about my decision to travel to a theater and see it early rather than waiting for it to be released on Disney +. With fantastic actors, stunning visuals, and an engaging plot, this movie gave me something to think about and admire with friends, something that fewer and fewer movies have been able to provide. I was fully engaged, drawn to, and appreciative of the acting and visuals involved in this production.