Now that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Wakanda Forever are both on Disney+, it’s only fair that we evaluate these superhero sequel movies by their merits and their relevance and beauty within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Before we start evaluating these movies, we must, first, go over what they are about and their standing with critics.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness centers around Dr. Stephen Strange who comes across a lost America Chavez who has been traveling through universe after universe trying to control her powers. Strange enlists the help of Wanda Maximoff (Scarlet Witch) to assist Chavez. However, when realizing that Chavez jumps through universes, Maximoff attempts to use and exploit her to get to her two sons in a different universe. When the parties get into a dispute, Strange and Chavez are stranded in another universe and are forced to find a way back with people they meet along the way.
Black Panther Wakanda Forever picks up following King T’Challa’s death when his family is forced to bury him and must find a new Black Panther to uphold the mantle and title. They encounter a new villain named Namor who seeks to conquer his old oppressors and rule the seas with the help of the Wakandans. However, when the latter refuses to help Namor, he is forced to take action against his neighboring country for his own domination.
To be fair, both films are very entertaining in their execution and delivery. However, it’s obvious that Wakanda Forever is the better of the two and I say that because of what it stands for. The film is an homage to the late Chadwick Boseman who sadly passed away in 2020. It’s a story of honor, struggle and sacrifice which is what makes great superhero movies great superhero movies in the first place.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, on the other hand, has some great moments of whimsy and action but the film seems like it never really goes anywhere while being overstuffed with characters that are undercut by their lack of screen time. Moreover, Scarlet Witch kills most of the Illuminati with ease. You also have to blame some things on the advertising, since I actually thought that Evil Strange was going to be the main villain and not Maximoff.
All in all, one movie is a monument for a fallen hero and the other could be considered a fizzy, adventurous hodge-podge of ingredients that seems unorthodox when explained but still fun to watch.
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