This sequel leads on from the Spider-man: No Way Home multiverse-incursions and TV's WandaVision, as the consequences of both central situations come together in a well-considered manner. Marvel's savvy casting of a quality actor in Benedict Cumberbatch as one of the Phase Three/Four mainstays pays off yet again, not only because he is called upon to play multiple dimension-hopping versions of the character but also as he anchors the magical side of the MCU with appropriate credibility and is always engaging. There is again capable support from Benedict Wong, the introduction of portal-controlling America Chavez works well (played effectively here by Xochitl Gomez), and Elizabeth Olsen brings her full game to present a formidable threat. Whilst this is not the full-tilt MCU horror film that original director Scott Derrickson might have envisaged, this is still one of the darker MCU films, with Sam Raimi's interesting visual flourishes and horror-inflected moments working well and the inevitable hilarious Bruce Campbell Evil Dead II throwback cameo. The film falls somewhere between being a visually-extraordinary feast and CGI overload, but the central story is engaging and it is sold well by the strong cast. Marvel's recent film and TV output has done a good job of establishing its next-generation female characters (Chavez, Ms Marvel, Kate Bishop, Yelena Belova) - can it do the same for young male characters in its universe of mostly adult male lead protagonists?
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