“Dr. Strange” is one of 2016’s most visually-spectacular movies.

In the cinematography by Director of Photography Ben Davis (“Avengers: Age of Ultron,” 2015), film editing by Sabrina Plisco and Wyatt Smith, production design by Charles Wood and an army of computer-generated imagery visual effects artists, city skyscrapers tumble like dominoes or are shaken like so many throw rugs. Fiery circular portals open up, transporting characters instantaneously to New York City or London or Hong Kong. Interiors telescope, fold in on themselves and rotate like an amusement park ride. Scenes shatter into shards of mirrors. Michael Giacchino (Oscar, original score, “Up,” 2010) wraps it all up with an ingenious score.

Extraordinary visuals aren’t enough to sustain a movie. “Dr. Strange” fortunately has strong lead performances: Benedict Cumberbatch (Dr. Stephen Strange), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Mordo), Rachel McAdams (Christine Palmer), Tilda Swinton (The Ancient One), Mads Mikkelsen (Kaecilius), Benedict Wong (Wong) and Benjamin Bratt (Jonathan Pangborn).

“Dr. Strange” also benefits from efficient direction by Scott Derrickson (director, “Deliver Us from Evil,” 2014; “Sinister,” 2012; “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” 2008; “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” 2005) and a witty, action-packed screenplay (Jon Spaihts, “Prometheus,” 2012; C. Robert Cargill, “Sinister,” and Derrickson) based on the Marvel Comic by Steve Ditko, 89, a Johnstown, Cambria County, native and co-creator, with Stan Lee, of Spider-Man and Dr. Strange (1963).

“Dr. Strange,” the 14th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is an origin story, i.e., we learn that Dr. Strange is a brilliant neurosurgeon who, after a car accident which greatly damages his hands, seeks alternative healing in Nepal. At a temple, Kamar-Taj, Dr. Strange is under the tutelage of a group of mystics (The Ancient One, Mordo and Wong) who help him develop a whole new level of superhuman abilities.

The stunning visuals in “Dr. Strange” depict kaleidoscopic, time- and reality-bending scenes akin to an animated M.C. Escher print and go beyond “The Matrix” (1999) and “Inception” (2010).

While Marvel Comics buffs would be best at explaining such plot devices as the Eye of Agamotto (which contains an Infinity Stone), the Cloak of Levitation (which wraps its powers around Dr. Strange) and such realms as the Astral Plane, Mirror Dimension and Dark Dimension (where Dr. Strange battles Dormammu), the depiction of these strange forces and places is mind-blowing and jaw-dropping for all movie-goers, especially in the 3D format seen for this review.

Cumberbatch and McAdams have good chemistry, Swinton is a superbly strange presence and Ejiofor provides a pragmatic force.

In keeping with the “let’s not take all this too seriously” approach, Marvel Comics’ Stan Lee again makes a cameo, this time as a rider on a city transit bus reading “The Doors of Perception” by Aldous Huxley.

“Dr. Strange,”MPAA rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13) for sci-fi violence and action throughout, and an intense crash sequence; Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction; Run time: 1 hr., 45 min.; Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

Credit Readers Anonymous:Wait for two bonus scenes in “Dr Strange”: a humorous scene near the beginning of the end credits with Dr. Strange (Cumberbatch) and Thor (Chris Hemsworth), presaging “Thor: Ragnarok” (2017), and another at the conclusion of the credits with Pangorn (Bratt) and Mordo (Ejiofor). Each gives clues to the next direction of films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “Dr Strange” is the first Marvel Studios with the new opening logo with a fanfare composed by Giacchino.

Box Office,Nov. 11: “Doctor Strange” continued at No. 1 two-weeks straight, with a still strong $43 million, $153 million, two weeks; as “Trolls” continued at No. 2, with a similarly robust $35 million, $94 million, two weeks; as “Arrival” arrived at No. 3 with $24 million, opening, and “Almost Christmas” was present at No. 4 with $15.5 million, opening;

5. “Hacksaw Ridge,” $10.7 million $32.2 million, two weeks; 6. “The Accountant,” $4.5 million, $77.7 million, five weeks; 7. “Shut In,” $3.7 million, opening; 8. “Boo! A Madea Halloween,” $3.5 million, $70.4 million, four weeks; 9. “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back,” $3.3 million, $54.5 million, four weeks; 10. “Inferno,” $3.2 million, $31.5 million, three weeks.

Unreel,Nov. 18:

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,”PG-13: David Yates directs Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell and Zoë Kravitz in the fantasy film about writer Newt Scamander 70 years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.

“The Edge of Seventeen,”R: Kelly Fremon Craig directs Hailee Steinfeld, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner and Kyra Sedgwick in the comedy about high school life.

“Bleed for This,”R: Ben Younger directs Miles Teller, Katey Sagal, Ted Levine and Christine Evangelista in the biography about World Champion boxer Vinny Pazienza.

“Manchester by the Sea,”R: Kenneth Lonergan directs Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler and Lucas Hedges in the drama about an uncle caring for his teenage nephew after the boy’s dad dies.

“Nocturnal Animals,”R: Tom Ford directs Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon and Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the thriller about an art gallery owner whose ex-husband’s novel constitutes a threat to her.

Four Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes