DOCTOR STRANGE cast a mind-blowing spell over the box office this past week with an impressive $85,05 million in the United States.
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As of Tuesday, the film had raked up $98,92 million for a global box office of $339,64 million on a reported $165 million budget.
The film was destined for box office glory as before its release, it grossed $122,32 million internationally byWednesday.
Doctor Strange is Disney’s 14th entry into its superhero franchise the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the second this year after Captain America: Civil War.
Bolstering the film’s impressive tally is the actor playing the titular character, Oscar nominee British actor Benedict Cumberbatch whose career accolades have cemented his impressive acting ability.
Ster Kinekor Zimbabwe launched Doctor Strange to a rapturous local audience on the same day as in the United States release in 3D. The cinema is currently showing the film.
Cumberbatch rose to prominence after a widely-praised turn as the modern day Sherlock Holmes in the British television series Sherlock. But, enough praises for now and let us dive right into the “sorcerer supreme”, a popular name given to the comic book character Doctor Strange.
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The film is about Dr Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch), a neurosurgeon whose life changes after a car accident robs him of the use of his hands. When traditional medicine fails him, he looks for healing and hope, travelling all over the world until he ends up in a mysterious enclave in some corner of the world.
There, he quickly learns that the enclave is at the frontline of a battle against unseen dark forces bent on destroying reality. Before long, Strange is forced to choose between his life of fortune and status or leaving it all behind to defend the world against dark forces and in so doing assume the mantle of sorcerer supreme.
To give you a picture of the film, think of a combination of Harry Potter and the 2010 film Inception, a film with mind-bending visuals and absolutely stunning cinematography.
When making a film that involves the manipulation of perception, a well-constructed plot is needed to weave the film’s elements together.
The plot and sub-plot must feed into the narrative while carefully constructing a believable world where anything is possible.
Doctor Strange leaves watchers in complete suspense from start to finish and plays with the audience, letting them think the film is going one way while it goes the other way.
The film had a well-constructed plot, dialogue and character development that turned it into a story worth watching.
The other co-stars were also quite exceptional, which includes fellow British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor as Karl Mordo, Rachel McAdams (Christine Palmer), Tilda Swinton (the Ancient One) and the main antagonist Mads Mikkelsen (Kaecilius).
For those who want to know whether the film is a “snooze-fest”, well it is not.
People watching Doctor Strange are encouraged to watch it very closely and follow the film from the very start. Though it had much complex themes, the film does well to make it easily understandable.
Rotten Tomatoes has already awarded the film a well-deserved 90% rating.
According to Box Office Mojo, Doctor Strange helped the studio behind it, Disney, gross $6 billion from all its 2016 releases, the highest in recent years for the studio.
Looking to take away some of Doctor Strange’s magic was the film studio Fox’s animation Trolls, which scored a $46,58 million debut with a Rotten Tomatoes certified 73% rating.
Tuesday saw the 3D animation secure a $54,4 million United States haul for global box office earnings of $159,23 million.
Trolls is a 2016 American 3D computer-animated musical buddy comedy film based on the dolls of the same name by Thomas Dam.
According to reports, Dam was a Danish woodworker and fisherman who designed and invented the original troll doll also known as the “Good Luck Troll”. Dam created the toy during a period of financial distress and carved it from wood. Soon, the Dam family had started up a new business selling the doll and Dam earned enough to buy himself a small factory where the dolls were produced in vinyl.
Since then the troll doll has grown to be a multi-million dollar franchise, although no longer as popular as it once was.
Trolls, the 3D animation film tells the story of Poppy played by Pitch Perfect actress Anna Kendrick, the optimistic leader of the trolls, and Branch (Justin Timberlake), her polar opposite.
Both Poppy and Branch embark on an adventure that takes them far beyond the only world they have ever known.
The animation is a musical and features the talents of Kendrick and Timberlake.
Ster Kinekor Zimbabwe launched Trolls for the local audience and is currently showcasing the film.
Trolls’ strong points were the well-choreographed musical set pieces, correctly timed to help push the film’s plot forward.
However, the film is a far cry from other 2016 3D animated hits Zootopia and The Secret Life of Pets.
What works in the film’s favour is the nostalgia associated with the dolls which were popular in the 1960s, 70s and 90s and no doubt attracted those kids, now adults while others are parents, to watch the film.
Trolls took the second spot on the box office table.
Rounding off the new releases but not a major wide release is Hacksaw Ridge, the first film directed by the controversial Hollywood veteran Mel Gibson.
Hacksaw Ridge saw Gibson return to his roots and deliver an outstanding piece.
The film is the true story of Desmond T Doss, played by former Spiderman actor Andrew Garfield, who won the Congressional Medal of Honour despite refusing to bear arms during World War II on religious grounds.
Doss was drafted and ostracised by fellow soldiers for his pacifist stance but went on to earn respect and adoration for his bravery, selflessness and compassion after he risked his life — without firing a shot —to save 75 men in the Battle of Okinawa
For history buffs, the film serves as a reminder of one of mankind’s darkest hours and really tells the story of many unsung heroes.
Gibson, who won an Oscar for the 1995 classic, Braveheart, did well directing to showcase the emotional drama and internal conflict of a man fighting in the war while trying to keep his religious beliefs.
Many parts of the film leave audiences routing for Doss from the start. The real life person who dies in 2006 at the age of 87 had received many commendations and awards in his career.
The acting of Garfield, direction of Gibson and the overall story itself will no doubt get award consideration.
Rotten Tomatoes gave Hacksaw Ridge an 89% certified rating. The film had grossed $18,5 million as of Tuesday.
