Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

If there’s one thing Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness accomplishes it's Worldbuilding! It probably had its script mandate to pull together all the Marvel film and TV strands into its ‘multi plot’ of madness of script, as a way point for the big next Avengers-style Multi Universe endgame. So in that respect well done. Get some cameos in too? Check! Thirdly deliver a good distinct sequel to Director Scott Derrickson’s first trippy visual Movie? Okay.., but only if we have time. With so many plot mandates to get though it’s no surprise Derrickson had to bail on ‘creative differences’.So enter Sam Raimi , no stranger to horror and distinctive visual style as his replacement. So okay while Rami sneaks in his visual flair and nice horror elements in the more horror staple climaxes. But you do feel that he is handcuffed by a mandated script rather than a being a Dr Strange film on its own outright. The plot is basically (Ex-Avenger )Wanda now Scarlett Witch, trapped in grief trying to obtain a universe in which she in reunited with a family life of her own making. Even if it comes at the expensive of every other multi-verse. ‘America Chavez’ played with likeable charm by Xochitl Gomez). 'America’( whose multi-universe jumper powers are needed to make this happen) becomes a target for Scarlett .So its up to both Dr Steven Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch ) and Chavez to stop Wanda/Scarlett's plan .So with some help of other characters on their travels,(and with alot of multi-dimensional hopping thrown in for good measure), and so another Marvel adventure ensues. Serving as both a chase movie and ,comic monster showdown.However for what feels could have been a more tighter affair,becomes overlong in places. It’s not a story that calls for a long run time. What does drag it down is a slow and over stretched middle act.And a long period where we showcase other Marvel characters ,where instead we could have used the running time to resolve their each sides goals much quicker.( it seems the now compulsory instead to have a set up for larger events). Highlights though are the colourful comic book demons ,and creatures that inhabit the film, and the horror beats that play to Rami’s strengths.It’s his hand that cohesively makes it both light and fun when it needs to be, and dark and scary when called upon. Credit also to the central performance of (Elizabeth Olsen) as the conflicted villain, Wanda, as the emotional crux of the story, despite being the antagonist. It does feel at times it is a Marvel Universe story rather than a Dr Strange Marvel film . Perhaps in the next film. (if there is a time of course), in the bigger ‘Marvel’ scheme of things.