To say anticipation is high for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse is an understatement. Since last week, ticket presales have already climbed to $42 million--no surprise, as the movie's predecessor came out way back in 2016. That's a long time for people to be patient, but the wait is nearly over.

　　Doctor Strange in the Multiverse is written by Michael Waldron (Loki, Rick and Morty) and iconic director Sami Raimi takes the reins. The film's cast includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Rachel McAdams.

　　As of this writing, the Doctor Strange sequel has an aggregate score of 65 on Metacritic, based on 31 critic reviews. Over on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a much higher 84% based on 58 reviews. These scores will likely shift as other outlets publish their takes, but based on the reviews already floating out there, Raimi's got a special touch with the Marvel universe.

　　Below, you'll see a selection of the many reviews of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness that have already been published, including GameSpot's.

　　

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Directed by: Sam RaimiWritten by: Michael WaldronStarring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, Michael Stuhlbarg, Rachel McAdamsPremiere Date: May 6

GameSpot - 80

"Multiverse of Madness excels when Raimi's voice is the loudest one in the room. Multiple sequences nostalgically harken back to the stylistic influences in his pre-MCU Spider-Man days while others dip deeply (sometimes even shockingly) into true horror." - Mason Downey - [Full review]

　　

Rolling Stone - 90

"What Raimi has done with his contribution, however, is construct not another roller coaster but one hell of a haunted house, one fueled by an abundance of eccentric creativity, imagination, and finely honed chops. The methods he employs to his Madness are what makes this movie stick out, in this or any other universe." - David Fear - [Full review]

　　

Los Angeles Times - 80

"Raimi's sheer passion for his material can sometimes overwhelm the coherence of his storytelling, and his unfashionable sincerity doesn’t always mesh with the breezy quip-a-minute tone that is the Marvel enterprise's preferred comic idiom. I mean those both as compliments." - Justin Chang - [Full review]

　　

Uproxx - 75

"Honestly, it's kind of remarkable what Marvel let Raimi get away with, but all that doesn't really kick in until maybe an hour into the movie, and it becomes a much better movie once that happens." - Mike Ryan - [Full review]

　　

Total Film - 60

"Despite a handful of high points and Raimi flourishes, Strange's second solo film rarely feels like the best possible outcome of this confluence of director and character." - Matt Maytum - [Full review]

　　

Boston Globe - 2.5

"A useful rule of thumb in watching Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is that if Cumberbatch (or Wong) isn't in a scene, go for popcorn... the plot will be almost impossible to follow. But that's probably going to be the case anyway." - Mark Feeney - [Full review]

　　

CNN.com

"All told, this sequel proves highly entertaining, if not quite worthy of the pent-up demand for it." - Brian Lowry - [Full review]

　　David Wolinsky on Google+