(From IMDb.com)

Be ready to suspend plenty of disbelief for the Marvel Universe’s new superhero.

Doctor Strange starts with one doozie of a spell.

Benedict Cumberbatch leaves his Brit accent at home to become the arrogant Manhattan neurosurgeon!

In fact, that imposing star is just the start of many great chess pieces for director/writer Scott Derrickson to move around this big board of a 1-hour, 55-minute story he co-scripted with Jon Spaigts and C. Robert Cargill.

Cumberbatch has the so-steady Rachel McAdams to work with as his co-physician, a tireless emergency room miracle worker/girlfriend who can’t convince him that saving one little person’s life at a time can feed that ego of his. And after he drives his über sports car off the cliff while texting and cripples his money-maker hands, he meets The Ancient One, a mystic played by so-deep Tilda Swinton and a guardian portrayed by the so-cool Chiwetel Ejiofor and a yoga manned by the so-imposing Benedict Wong and, of course, an opponent with evil wrapped up so well inside of him played by the so-sinister Mads Mikkelsen.

What a cast it is. And what a story this comic book hero that, all those in the Marvel know say ranks way down in the Universe stable, goes through to find a new self.

What can the odd Doctor conjur? (From IMDb.com)

From the dark shots in the New York City hospital to his search for the guy who healed his broken back – a short but satisfying turn by Benjamin Bratt – to the stupefying muggings and meetings in foreign alleys, Stephen Strange is in one dire spot. And then he slowly, reluctantly, painfully opens up to a colorful, magical world of sorcery.

With the Cloak of Levitation and Eye of Agamotto at his service, his powers kept the full crowd for the 6:30 p.m. Friday show in the big Regal Cinemas chain theater at Syracuse mega shopping, dining and entertainment complex Destiny USA fully in their spell as Doctor Strange defended Earth.

Oh, and if you go, stick around for two Marvel Universe teaser scenes during and after the credits. Just saying.

Who’s your favorite comic book character come to life on the big screen, and why? What is your favorite actor-ditching-accent role, and why? What is your favorite Benedict Cumberbatch movie, and why?