Doctor Strange , the Sorcerer Supreme

Doctor Strange , the Sorcerer Supreme

This animated film was , for me, a wonderful introduction to a genre which I have avoided for many years. Both the comic book and animated film media belong , one might think , to the world of Saturday morning television. , the world of young impressionable minds , not of cynical and sour middle aged Fools.

But what a treat this story was . It contained all the elements of a classic timeless story , without boring me to death…The fight between good and evil, mysticism, magic , Demonic creatures , tragedy and hubris as well as the conflict between the Eastern and Western World Views– Remorse, pain, toil and also the hope ( if ever so faint) of redemption ; or at least of resolution , are all mixed into this fast moving 76 minute film .

Our tragic hero, Dr. Strange has reached the sumum of fame and the greatest possible level of scientific as well as material achievement possible in the world he knows, but through a bizarre series of fateful events and mental episodes he finds himself severly handicapped. He loses everything.

Thus begins a journey, which is everymans journey, one that every single living person on this earth who has the most minimal concioussness can identify with — while also being specific to him as well— for though he is a Faustian figure he is also Messianic , a Chosen One— chosen by forces unknown to play a role he fundamentally does not desire.

Since this is basically the first animated film I have ever watched, except for the 1978 production of The Lord of the Rings, which I vaguely recall seeing many years ago at the now defunct Cinema Five ,( which once was the equivalent of Cinema du Parc, here in Montreal, for people of my generation) I cannot give a fair critique of the art work … Some of the action scenes may seem a bit choppy … but over all the wonderful powers which the Champions of the The Sorcerer Supreme exhibit , and the fierce imagery of the Evil instruments of the Dark Dimension and it’s ruler Dormammu , do not fail to impress .

The enigmatic Ancient One , attempts ( and succeeds) to instill the secrets of Wizardry into Dr. Strange, with the use of very zen-like koans and apparently self- contadictory logic. “ Accepting the Unacceptable ” to free oneself, “using the strength of ones opponent” against him, absorbing your enemy’s force to turn it aginst him… these are all part of the teachings which help the hero gain access to the Power Within .

We learn , along with him , that much of life’s pain and misery is linked to perception : “ Love , Loss, Pain, they are stones in the wall that blocks your path” . We learn that the ultimate magic is all about energy and it’s transformation—Once our hero ceases to imagine the wall it disappears .. at one point in the film I saw a shadowy shape which ressembled the black mask of Darth Vader.. oops. That was just a trick of my mind right ? { If only life were so simple } .

Even the theme of defeating the brother , In this case Mordo - this universal motif found in many legends and stories around the world - in a fight to the death, is present. To Jungian psychologists, Mordo may represent the hero’s personal Shadow, the part of him that splits off to make a pact the Satanic Dormammu … Mordo’s feeling of being abandoned by his master the Sorcerer drives him to the arms of the enemy ( at one point in the film I saw a shadowy shape which ressembled the black mask of Darth Vader.. oops. That was just a Magical trick of my mind , a perception thing ,
right ? ) …Mordo embodies all the spite , anger and frustration that Dr. Strange is battling within himself. By overcoming Mordo and killing that part of himself, Doctor Strange takes his first steps towards enlightenment .

In the final apocalyptic battle, all the valiant soldiers of the Sorcerer Supreme give their lives to protect the Sanctum Sanctorum the quiet place where all dimensions intersect… Dr. Strange finally understands his role in this final fight to the death : He must awaken the children who have fallen under the spell of the Evil Dread-Dormammu so that their pure minds cannot be utilized by this Evil Being as a portal into this world. Underlying this, of course, is yet another archetypal theme : The corruption and abuse of innocence to impure ends.

If the above review has not spoiled the fun , then I encourage everyone of all ages to watch this film. It is entertaining while being exciting and replete with nuggets of puzzling wisdom. It provokes thought while at the same time providing some escape ( albeit fleeting ) from this world of woe.

As an additional treat there are some special features including one in which the artists and writers are interviewed and the origin of Doctor Strange are discussed in detail .

Available for rent at Movieland , 1972 St. Catherine street West. 514 937 1231.

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