Marvel has made many transitions over the years since “Iron Man” started the current Marvel Cinematic Universe. With few failures among a sea of successful pictures, it appears that even though they have their missteps, Marvel can barely do wrong.

Expectations of “Doctor Strange” were mixed before the premiere. Some thought the film would be another bland and played-out origin story, while others saw the trailer and feared it would be Marvel’s reimagining of “Inception.”

“Doctor Strange” was neither. An innovating and visually appealing masterpiece, “Doctor Strange” is a phase-three Marvel film with the feel and glory of a phase-one piece, meaning that it reminds viewers of the original appeal of the franchise when films like “Iron Man” came to be.

The film follows Steven Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch, “Sherlock”), a brain surgeon who focuses his life on his skill as a doctor without concern for the people around him. After an accident takes away the strength in his hands, he spends his time and money looking for a solution, while pushing away people from his previous life. Finding hope for a cure, he travels to find the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton, “Hail, Caesar!”) and, after seeing what she can do, he begins to study the mystical arts.

Cumberbatch shines as Strange. It is clear from the beginning he is having fun with the character and wants to bring it to life the best he can. He also provides viewers with the best jokes in the film. The banter he has with Wong (Benedict Wong, “Marco Polo”) about the character’s one name is one of the highlights of the film.

A flaw of the film arises from the character of Strange however, as the viewer gets a familiar sense of who he is.

Strange is an arrogant doctor who chooses his patients based on who interests him. He then becomes injured and rejects the one woman who cares about him, portrayed by a British actor faking an American accent.

It is like Gregory House from “House.”

This, of course, does not ring true the entire film, as Strange’s character develops and the viewer begins to get a sense of how unique the character is. At the beginning however, the comparison comes as clear as day.

Another person who brings their role to life is Rachel McAdams (“Spotlight”). Within the superhero franchise it can be easy for a female character to become nothing more than the hero’s love interest, but McAdams’ character avoids falling into this well-known trope. As a former love interest of Strange’s, she continues to work with him in the field of medicine and is the one person trying to help Strange get over himself after his injury, only to be pushed away.

She reappears again after Strange becomes more powerful to help him when he is critically injured. Though romantic tensions remain on screen, it is clear she will not be the girl who throws herself at the hero. She can be friends with and help Strange, but she is her own woman.

Viewers cannot overlook the incredible visual effects throughout the film. Again, at first look, viewers feared would be Marvel’s attempt at “Inception,” yet the film plays more with the idea of augmenting reality and bending the world around them as they fight, giving the viewer a new vision of the old idea. The beauty of the battle between Strange and Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen, “Hannibal”) grabs the viewer in the center of the film and the effects that follow in the final battle are the cherry on top.

The strongest part of the film comes from the antagonist, who holds Strange from achieving his goals. The majority of hero stories are focused on a hero fighting a villain, the hero saving the day and living happily ever after.

“Doctor Strange” is not the typical hero film though. Although Strange does fight a villain, the story is focused more on his struggle to be happy. Strange spends the film learning magic to fix his hands, so he can go back to his old life, but in the end his hands are still shaking and not fully healed. He has found a new purpose and a new reality for himself, yet still thinks of what he left behind. The film focuses on the struggle to accept changes and create a new life after one is taken away.

“Doctor Strange” reminds the viewer of the original films. There’s a hero, they discover a new ability or a chance to change, they train and then they are able to stand against whatever is in their way. This film takes the same approach, but changes the focus and shows viewers a new side of the genre.

“Doctor Strange” is a change in the right direction as the films progress and Marvel looks toward the future. It is one audiences need to watch as they prepare for the rest of phase three.