Movie Wave

Doctor Strange

  • Composed by Michael Giacchino
  • Hollywood Records / 2016 / 66m

The latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Strange stars Benedict Cumberbatch as a neurosurgeon who is forced into a lengthy healing journey after suffering a career-ending car accident.  During this time, he learns various Eastern mystical, magical ways from the so-called Ancient One.  Directed by Scott Derrickson, the film has been greeted by initially positive reviews, as if that matters – there are no signs yet that the series is losing its popularity.

Derrickson’s usual composer is Christopher Young (they have done three films together) and Young would actually be the perfect composer to bring some much-needed continuity to the Marvel series by becoming its in-house composer: not only is he a very adept and versatile film composer, he’s a huge comic-book fan who would probably knock these things out of the park.  However – despite he himself speaking very excitedly about the prospect of writing music for the film when it was still in pre-production – either director or studio decided he wasn’t the right fit and fan favourite Michael Giacchino came on board the series for the first time, writing a new studio logo music in the process, replacing the short-lived one by Brian Tyler (they can’t even manage continuity in their logo music).

Michael Giacchino
Michael Giacchino

A couple of months before the film’s release there was a lot of fuss about an on-line piece criticising modern film in general but the Marvel universe in particular for not featuring memorable music.  This is the first film in the series to be released since then, so it was always going to be interesting to see whether Giacchino would manage to do something this universe has been crying out for and write a truly memorable, individual score to suit this character and film, which stands the test of time.

The first thing needed to do that is of course a good thematic base and this score does indeed have a belter of a main theme.  It’s heard near the end of the opening cue, “Ancient Secrets Revealed”, which begins with a distinctly Goldsmithian section where trombones and then horns create a mysterious atmosphere before we go full-on Giacchino with a frantic passage of brass and percussion.  Some choral chanting then introduces an apocalyptic horn theme which turns out to be the secondary theme of the score – it’s nothing new but it’s powerful and impressive – the main theme itself just gets a little blast in the final twenty seconds or so.

Its introduction may be brief, but the theme leaves quite an impression and it’s impressive how much variation the composer manages to bring to it.  In the second cue, “The Hands Dealt”, a stripped-down version is heard for solo piano, the complexity of the full melody being reduced to something much simpler – in this guise it manages to be really very beautiful.  The melody itself has an impressively evocative feeling of self-discovery and spirituality about it, whether in that introspective opening form or its more expansive later treatments.

“A Long Strange Trip” opens with some electronically-processed material nicely suggesting an alternative reality before familiar Giacchino percussion ushers in a wonderful sequence for brass which could come from John Adams (the composer not the president), John Corigliano or in film music terms Elliot Goldenthal (it’s very similar to Sphere in fact) – before everything reduces down to a chilled-out, trippy instrumental and then goes back to the chaos that opened the track, which is one that perfectly lives up to its name (and does it musically very impressively).  I like “Inside the Mirror Dimension”, which explores that secondary theme from the opening cue a little more before a more mystical passage including electric guitar and sitar and Indian percussion (the latter two combining at one point in a way that instantly recalls that tiny little motif in Jerry Goldsmith’s Executive Decision representing the bad guys). In the following cue “The True Purpose of the Sorcerer”, there’s a further exploration of the mystical, this time the harpsichord taking a leading role, with spooky choir and an ever-swelling presence from the orchestra – it’s a great cue.

“Sanctimonious Sanctum Sacking” takes a very long time to get going, a full three minutes of dull suspense at its opening before it explodes into life with some tremendous all-out action music for the orchestra (including more of that great clustered brass style heard earlier), harpsichord, choir and electronics, building up to a grand statement of the main theme.  In the good old days the cue would have been edited down for the album to remove the fluff, but never mind, the final four minutes more than make up for the first three.

In “Post Op Parocosm” we get a further exploration of the score’s softer side, with the electric sitar, harpsichord and piano coming together this time with solo violin and expressionistic flute, the full string section then joining in as the cue soars off in the style of Tomorrowland.  “Hippocratic Hypocrite” offers an interesting contrast, the opening harpsichord and reprised piano reduction of the main theme gradually giving way to something more sinister.  “Smote and Mirrors” is an extended piece of action, sometimes pretty dark – the pacing is a bit odd (it seems to stop and start slightly unnaturally) but some of the textures are wonderful, particularly the organ heard surprisingly distantly in the mix and the interesting choral passages, which go beyond the usual Hollywood oohs and aahs towards something that, ironically, Christopher Young might have done.

“Hong Kong Kablooey” is a very fine piece of action music – it includes a repeat of the kind of “unnverving” music heard early in the score, but interestingly Giacchino achieves it acoustically this time.  Some of its choral music becomes more overtly religiously spiritual.  Then comes one of the score’s biggest action set-pieces, “Astral World’s Worst Killer”, with some dissonant textures from the brass heralding the opening of the cue before all hell breaks loose, a variation on that apocalyptic secondary theme in a truly powerful setting, then a building of excitement in an extended treatment on some of the material heard before the thematic material in the score’s opening cue – and then comes a grand, stately take on the main theme itself.

It’s with the final three tracks that Giacchino’s score is going to earn a lot of its fans, because they’re just blissfully good.  Interestingly, each is essentially a variation on the main theme – but each is so different, it doesn’t wear out its welcome in any way.  “Strange Days Ahead” is the most conventional, but even there the orchestra and choir are joined by the electric sitar and harpsichord – it’s in the brass-dominated sweeping statement of the main theme that’s where the thrills lie.  A conventionally heroic take on the theme, it actually sounds very much like the composer’s Star Trek in this form (which is no bad thing).  In “Go For Baroque”, a beautiful harpsichord take on the main theme eventually with accompaniment from the orchestra (some dullard will certainly point out it’s not actually baroque, spoiling the joke, but never mind – oops, the dullard is me) quite unlike anything we’ve heard before from the composer, aside from brief allusions to it earlier in this score – it’s really done very well.  Finally, best of all, comes “The Master of the Mystic End Credits”, where you can imagine George Harrison sitting cross-legged with Ravi Shankar, spaced-out guitar chords and drum kit along with various psychedelic textures accompanying the sitar in what is essentially an Indian-inspired pop instrumental version of the main theme.  If you told me it was a previously-undiscovered John Barry tv theme from the late 1960s you’d probably be able to string me along for a bit.  It’s a wonderful way of ending the score.

In between the tracks I’ve mentioned above there are a few others which are less interesting and which do drag it down a bit.  A couple of them are decent enough action tracks which neither add nor subtract a great deal from the listening experience, but others rather drag the pace down too much and the album would be better off without them.  Having said that, there are 40-45 minutes of really strong material here and the final three tracks are spectacular, so it’s definitely near the top end in the Marvel universe of film music.  It’s true that Giacchino is a fairly “safe” film composer and there are no boundaries being pushed here, in particular the mystical elements aren’t explored as deeply as some might have done, but he does bring some interesting flavours to the score and the theme is great.  It took me a few listens to fully appreciate but I really like Doctor Strange.

Rating: ****

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By

James Southall

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17 responses

  1. Sivakumark52 avatar
    Sivakumark52

    One of my eagerly awaited scores this year. Definitely needs a few listens (and some patience) to know Mr. Giacchino’s intentions. But I expect this score too to be dropped when this character appears makes its future appearances. Couldn’t get why Marvel is not wasting such great themes for these characters. Take Thor which had great score from Patrick Doyle and later Brain Tyler though gave a competing score could not justify why he dropped the original theme and Ant-Man had such a wonderful theme soon to be dropped from civil war by Henry Jackman who went far enough to write a new score to Ironman and Captain America in what was his fifth appearance for the former character. The only relieving part is the continuation of the avengers theme which most probably won’t change with the inclusion of Alan Silvestri aboard for The third iteration.

    Reply
  2. Sanchit Varma avatar
    Sanchit Varma

    I absolutely love the secondary theme running through that as you have said first appears in “Ancient Sorcerer’s Secret” but then it also gets a gets a more grand treatment in “Mystery training”.It is quite beautiful and majestic. And the piano in ‘The hands dealt” and expanded in “Strange Days Ahead” is just gorgeous and reminds me a bit of “Night on the Yorktown” from Star Trek Beyond. The score is just fantastic and just sits below Jupiter Ascending in terms of scale and listening pleasure.

    It’s a relief to finally hear a MCU score that is not bland and generic (Except Ant Man and the first Captain America). Now if Giachhino nails Rogue One, he will have had 7 fantastic scores in the span of 2 years.

    Reply
  3. tiago avatar
    tiago

    Indeed the piano on “The Hands Dealt” is pretty similar to the one heard on Star Trek Beyond’s “Thank Your Lucky Star Date”, and some action cues recalled me both Jupiter Ascending and the last Trek movie. Is this a sign that Giacchino’s working too much? And he still got to do the next Star Wars (!), Planet of the Apes, Spider-Man…

    But he’s a reliable composer, and his Doctor Strange score is really good. It’s one of the very few MCU movies (along with the ones that were scored by Alan Silvestri) that I actually leave the theater with the main theme echoing on my head 😉

    Reply
  4. MuggleAuror avatar
    MuggleAuror

    Can you do a review on Fantastic Beasts and where to find them soundtrack? PLEEEAAASEE!!

    Reply
    1. James Southall avatar
      James Southall

      Yes, definitely – I’m still processing the music at the moment.

      Reply
  5. ANDRÉ, Cape Town. avatar
    ANDRÉ, Cape Town.

    And I, Tiago, left the Cinema Complex not caring if I ever see Benedict Cumberbatch and his Doctor Strange character again, or The Ancient One [Tilda Swinton] or the truly amazing CGI special effects . However, if MICHAEL GIACCINO had provided a more Emotive and Heroic theme to underscore Dr. Strange’s first faltering attempts at understanding the power of metaphysics…and then, when Strange masters and uses that energy against the baddies to introduce grandiose variations of that theme, I would probably become addicted to this Marvel franchise and the promised sequels that were teased during the end credits. Sure, the chanted choruses, rousing orchestral passages and female vocalise are all there — but it felt as if they were randomly added to the mix without any thought to Thematic Development…an approach to the art of film scoring as immortalised by GOLDSMITH, HORNER, WILLIAMS, NEWMAN, MORRICONE, DELERUE, YOUNG, POLEDOURIS and, occasionally ZIMMER. The other film I saw was the Suspense Thriller ‘Don’t Breathe’ with a mainly Electronic score composed and performed by ROQUE BAÑOS — very tensely effective, chilling and innovative.

    Reply
  6. Edmund Meinerts avatar
    Edmund Meinerts

    But there’s a very prominent theme that’s developed all throughout Doctor Strange!

    Reply
  7. Aidabaida avatar
    Aidabaida

    And it swells to enormous, grandiose heights when he finally dons the cape and battles the enemies….it gave me chills.

    Reply
  8. ANDRÉ, Cape Town. avatar
    ANDRÉ, Cape Town.

    Oh?? I was aware of GIACCINO’S emotive & beautiful ‘Heroic’ theme for ‘Star Trek: Beyond’ and ordered the CD. I was looking forward to reacting similarly to the ‘Dr. Strange’ score [saw it in 3D with a sensational Audio System]…but the magic didn’t happen. However, your critiques are always succinct and of value Edmund and Aidabaida, so I’ll revisit the music — without visuals this time. Thanks for reinforcing James’ coments and bringing the score’s thematic structure to my attention.

    Reply
  9. Aidabaida avatar
    Aidabaida

    Sure. The main theme is developed extensively here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V27uNl8di2Q

    Reply
  10. ANDRÉ, Cape Town. avatar
    ANDRÉ, Cape Town.

    Thanks for the link – in addition to the 6′ minute track that you recommended Aidabaida, I listened to two more cues. Loved the exotic sitar used as part of the orchestration, and the inclusion of the harpsichord…I also noticed that the harmonic counterpoint was far more noticeable on the CD selections [than heard in the Cinema], providing the emotive stirrings that I so love in film music. Grateful thanks! – I’ll be ordering the CD.

    Reply
  11. Aidabaida avatar
    Aidabaida

    I’m glad I could be of help!

    Reply
  12. Michael avatar
    Michael

    Sanchit Varma: Really? The first Captain America was Silvestri in autopilot. There wasn’t nothing that it made the score different from Avengers other than the lack of electronics from the previous use. Just full bombast. The other MCU scores are very diverse or you’re gonna tell me that Iron Man 2 sounds just like Iron Man 1 and 3? Or Avengers Age Of Ultron (which it had 4 different co-composers) was the same as the first Avengers? Or The Winter Soldier and Civil War were the same as the first Captain America score? Or both Thor scores?

    If you can’t discern, it’s not the composers’s fault. I think that what it made Doctor Strange very unique is that Giacchino decided to go out of his comfort zone, and play out the magical elements of the story rather than the superhero tone.

    Reply
  13. ANASTASIOS 99 avatar
    ANASTASIOS 99

    I was not impressed by the project. It’s ridiculous as an idea. a crazy guy with a cape who suddenly discovers magical properties to save the world. is Dr. strange. it also says its name. is a very stupid nickname for a superhero. It is a pity that they underestimate our intelligence so much. The people who watch it and wait for the second film for me are also “stupid”. Because there are so many great films that are not being promoted properly. If the doctor was not Marvel, no one would know. I’m sure. Also about the soundtrack. To me, as a young self-taught composer and fan of cinema music, I am completely indifferent. I would never write music for this film. Because its boring. Its a strange man. Michael Giacchino is man hero because write for this film. I wonder how he achieved it .. It is a waste of time. I also listened to music and I am generally indifferent. It is music for images the genre much inferior to the musical world of superheroes. But what music can one write for such a strange guy. It seems a lot of money for Michael Giacchino. Because there is no other explanation for writing music for this work. It is an unfair effort. He generally wrote music for the magical properties, the environment, the object, the energy and not on the man. So one musical theme without heroic theme for the superhero, for me it is a failure. He only achieved this Danny Elfman with his amazing music score for Hulk. I wrote a chemical music theme. But another Hulk the favourite serious character and another the strange middle-aged Dr. Strange (!!) I laugh at the nickname It’s very silly on the part of the creators. I was also surprised to learn that Danny Elfman wrote the second film dr. Strange … Why? I did not expect it .. I was disappointed .. Why should Elfman waste his musical talent on this stupid guy ?? Michael Giacchino wrote but did not succeed. He wrote music indifferent, not at all unforgettable, boring, without inspiration, much inferior to musical superheroes. A music theme that no serious person will remember for a character that no one remembers serious man. The film should have been banned. Superman, Hulk, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, They are characters with seriousness, background, dear ones, generations of children have grown up all over the world. Dr. Strange is an imaginary hero, without interest, that no one will remember. Also, the Giacchino soundtrack will not be remembered. Because it accompanies the film and has no musical identity. I hope not there will be a sequel to the film. It’s a shame for Elfman too. There are so many nice films to write. A new Black Panther, Black Widow, Venom not Dr. Strange… Sorry for my english. My stars for music score **. Because Michael Giacchino is generally good man and composer, no for that film, but its interesting human most from dr. Strange…

    Reply
  14. ANASTASIOS 99 avatar
    ANASTASIOS 99

    I listened to Elfman’s soundtrack. I want to be honest. I do not appreciate the film and the character Dr. Strange. I wrote a bad review of the film and music that Giacchino wrote about Dr. Strange. He wrote an annoying musical theme without a heroic identity for Dr. Strange. It makes sense of course, because the character is very boring and for no reason so well known. It’s a Marvel’s business ploy to fool the sometimes obsessed people, who fall victim to companies, and ignore really interesting films. It is money, capital, that governs people. I listened to Elfman’s soundtrack, without having seen the film, of course, I will not make this mistake .. Only Elfman did the musical surprise. I was disappointed to learn he wrote music for the second film. But he is Elfman, the second best composer of cinema music in the world, after her father music cinema, John Williams and Alan Silvestri. Elfman wrote a respectable epic musical score. It is an epic with choirs, thick, heavy winds, huge drums, made an epic musical environment It’s like a dark Elfman- music style camp. He is a worthy successor of his soundtracks for Avengers 2, Justice League, Hellboy 2. He is the well-known. He is the well-known charismatic composer of the old music school, vintage, with amazing music that lifts the minds of the listeners, bombing, that shakes your ear.
    Elfman’s music is on alert, they do not allow you to be indifferent. It is an epic experience. Elfman wrote music that reaches up to God in volume, without pause, pause, I think he writes to write to launch his musical talent. Although of course he has proved it for many years. It is a pity
    and I was disappointed for one reason only.It’s that Elfman wrote epic music, he used it his musical arsenal, charisma, his strength, abilities, skills, for a very indifferent, odorless, boring, useless, stupid for a hero, man … Why Elfman ?? He should have written this musical score for a new Venom, for example, not for dr. Strange .. You mean the credit goes to Elfman. Not in the movie and in character. Elfman’s musical theme is much nicer in the genre than Giacchino. My head hurts with Giacchino’s musical theme. It is very spastic. So good luck to Elfman. hope not to continue wasting his musical talent on such films Dr. Strange. Sorry for my English. My stars for Elfman are just for the amazing music *****. Thank’s. Elfman means music quality in the music cinema.

    Reply
  15. ANASTASIOS 99 avatar
    ANASTASIOS 99

    I’m again me, sorry, i feel “awful” for my music comments, because i fill your music page, sorry for the people, perhaps i annoying . i admire really music cinema. i want to be honestl for my music review Michael Giacchino Mr. Strange. I was very hard with my music comment. Its my opinion but i forgot something. Music theme mr. Strange by Michael Giacchino is spastic for me. I forgot write. the fist music part – five first notes on the Mr. Strange theme is very nice and strong. Its a really music theme for the strange hero and memorable in your mind. Easy music notes. Bravo Michael Giacchino. But the second part in the music theme is very awful, spastic, negative energy, for me. its like a music part strange and twisted, creates a headache, annoying, twisted, unsightly music part bad version disney musical(!).. like a “childish” music notes does not represent fully property the super – hero Dr. Strange. Giacchino destroyed the music theme, with his orchestrates, in the second part. Its is terrible for me the second part. Sorry for my english. Thank’s.

    Reply
  16. Achilles avatar
    Achilles

    Music review for Doctor Strange 2??

    Reply

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