Benedict Cumberbatch and Benedict Wong star in a scene from the movie "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness." The Catholic News Service classification is A-III -- adults. (CNS/Marvel Studios)

By Catholic News Service

The sequel to 2016’s “Doctor Strange” lives up to its name: a maddening, multidimensional, decidedly strange, if typically “Marvel”-ous movie based on the comic book series and directed by Sam Raimi. The neurosurgeon turned wizard (Benedict Cumberbatch) seeks to protect a young woman (Xochitl Gomez) who has the ability to travel at will across universes. A wicked witch (Elizabeth Olsen) wants her power, threatening global catastrophe.

The film is awash in silliness and mumbo-jumbo, mixing sorcery, the occult and religious imagery. Sensible viewers will not take this seriously, but impressionable ones may need guidance that this is all harmless make-believe.

Pervasive occult dialogue and action, some stylized violence, fleeting gory images, a handful of crude and profane terms. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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