Doctor Strange

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is beginning to get a little weird, which is an odd thing to say about a place already inhabited by a wisecracking billionaire in a suit of armour, a god of thunder and a not-so-jolly green giant. 

But having enjoyed huge success with the adventures of Iron Man, Thor, The Hulk and their super-powered pals, Marvel has been stretching itself a little with its recent movies, trying out different tones and introducing heroes who are a bit unconventional. 

Doctor Strange introduces the latest hero in the Marvel line-up - Dr Stephen Strange, a master of the mystic arts - and adds magic to the Marvel mix, a brew that was already brimming with heroes and villains from other galaxies and other dimensions. 

But while this movie does travel to some far-flung locations, both on Earth and in some more unusual destinations, it's also taking a pretty familiar path. 

In fact, the similarities between Doctor Strange and Iron Man, whose first adventure got the Marvel Cinematic Universe ball rolling back in 2008, are striking. 

After all, both feature brilliant chaps with snarky senses of humour and slick facial hair who go through harrowing, humbling and life-changing events before embracing their new destiny as a hero. 

Hey, it's a formula that works. And when it's acted out by people who bring presence, talent and conviction to the table, it's certainly worth revisiting. 

When we first meet Strange, played by Benedict Cumberbatch of Sherlock fame, he's a gifted surgeon all too aware of his amazing prowess. (Smart move casting Cumberbatch, who can make arrogance oddly appealing.) 

But a terrible traffic accident - don't text and drive! - leaves him with nerve damage so severe he can barely hold a toothbrush, let alone a scalpel. 

Exhausting every treatment option (and alienating those who care about him, such as fellow doctor Christine Palmer played by Rachel McAdams), he's down to his last few dollars when he learns of a possible miracle cure in Kathmandu. 

What he discovers, though, is not some radical new procedure but rather a school for sorcery presided over by The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton, charmingly conveying a higher state of being), who opens Strange's third eye to the possibilities of our universe and the other universes that exist alongside it. 

Initially sceptical, Strange is a quick study in all things mystical, which both impresses and infuriates The Ancient One's lieutenant, Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor, compelling as ever). 

But his new skills are going to come in handy, because The Ancient One's former student Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) has been seduced by the wicked ways of the Dark Dimension and seeks to make life in our dimension very unpleasant. 

As is usually the case in superhero movies, a lot of running, jumping, flying and thumping ensues. But Doctor Strange's magical bent means that the laws of physics also take a beating, with our heroes and villains manipulating time and space in interesting, entertaining ways. 

It's fun stuff and something that adds an enjoyable facet to Marvel's ever-expanding and ever-engaging saga.