Although the Marvel Cinematic Universe has put out annual releases since its inception over a decade ago, only recently has the brand started to experiment with genre. Films like Thor: Ragnarok have leveraged the skills of their filmmakers to deliver something unique for a solo superhero story, while still honoring the traditions of the character. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is Marvel’s biggest swing in the direction of genre filmmaking yet - a film unlike anything that has been seen in the MCU thus far. With director Sam Raimi at the helm, Doctor Strange is a multiversal adventure that is equal parts terrifying and exciting.

Stepping into new territory isn't always easy, though, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness struggles to find its footing. Because of the nature of jumping between universes, there is a lot to cover, but it isn't always conveyed in the clearest manner. Jumbled is the best way to describe the film, but tackling complex comic book concepts, serving a few different storylines, and packing that ever-important Marvel punch isn't easy. If nothing else, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness makes clear that the Sorcerer Supreme (although he’s not technically the SS in current canon) will deliver a wild adventure in his solo films.

Much like with Spider-Man: No Way Home, it’s difficult to talk about the plot of Multiverse of Madness without getting into spoilers. Marvel has been careful to keep many of the film’s key narrative plot points and jaw-dropping reveals out of the limelight, carefully navigating a community that is ready to pick up on each and every detail. Some will already have a sense of the surprises that await in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness but those who go into the film having avoided the marketing will be justly rewarded. It's certainly not a focal point in the same way that last year's Spider-Man was, however there will be a lot to discuss among comic book movie fans this coming weekend.

Fun surprises and twists and turns aside, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness struggles with pacing. At first, it isn’t quite sure what film it wants to be, but once it truly dips into the concepts of the multiverse it gets a lot more interesting. The different universes also open up a lot of opportunities for impressive visuals, some of which are mindbogglingly cool. Much like the mirror dimension in Doctor Strange 1, the multiverse leads to some visually arresting imagery.

Although this is a Doctor Strange solo film and Benedict Cumberbatch is cool as ever, the leading ladies in the cast arguably steal the show. Elizabeth Olsen surpasses her incredible performance in Wandavision with side of Wanda Maximoff that is equal parts heartbreaking terrifying. Xochitl Gomez's America Chavez is the perfect counterpoint to Benedict Cumberbatch’s self-serious Doctor Strange. She’s a character who doesn’t get to do much in Multiverse of Madness but Gomez is such a ball of energy on-screen. The script also gives Rachel McAdams are more substantial role than in DS 1. She is still Stephen Strange’s love interest, but McAdams layers her performance with authority and vulnerability and the story gives her some unexpected things to do.

But the bona fide standout star of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is director Sam Raimi. After a career spent making campy horror films like Evil Dead and Drag Me to Hell, Raimi is able to indulge his sensibilities on a massive scale. Multiverse of Madness is genuinely terrifying in parts, and will be legitimately scary for younger moviegoers. Where the first Doctor Strange dipped its toes into some horror elements, Multiverse of Madness dives headfirst. From the imagery to the camera angles, Sam Raimi makes sure to put his signature stamp on everything.

Even if it feels a bit clunky in its construction, and it isn’t the most action-packed Marvel adventure, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness deserves recognition for doing something different. It may be PG-13, but the film doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to playing up the danger facing Strange and Co. And amidst all that is a character whose ability to wield magic and interactions with the magical world manifests in so many creative ways no two beats are alike. Yes, it may be a very CGI heavy film, but there are some truly memorable shots and sequences in the film.

Despite the uniqueness of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, that doesn’t always translate to a movie that is consistently engaging or well-paced. It’s a bit messy at times and trips over some of its efforts to indulge the multiverse and surprise Marvel Comics fans. Going into specifics will ruin some really cool surprises, so it’s best to leave it at that.

Marvel films are pretty much sold on their character and concept anyway, and Multiverse of Madness has a concept strong enough to overcome a few missteps. Not to mention an excellent cast that commits to this very weird slice of the MCU. If Doctor Strange 1’s brand of weirdness was a homerun then Doctor Strange 2 will push things even further. It’s a film that only Sam Raimi could have made and one that isn’t shy about letting his genre sensibilities permeate every shot. In a world where MCU films have a lot of homogeneity, there’s no denying Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a wild ride.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness releases in theaters May 6, 2022.