In the vast world of superheroes and comic book adaptations, there are hits and there are misses. Unfortunately, 'Madame Web,' the latest Spider-Man spinoff from Sony, falls firmly into the latter category. With lackluster storytelling, uninspired action sequences, and cheap visual effects, this film fails to capture the charm and excitement we've come to expect from the superhero genre.
The story revolves around Cassie Webb, an athletic Gen X ambulance driver with the ability to foresee disastrous events before they happen. She also possesses the unique gift of being in multiple places at once. While these powers may seem intriguing, they quickly lose their appeal as the narrative unfolds. Cassie's ability to reset events with a 'let's try that again' approach renders each situation less interesting and predictable.
Despite the presence of talented actress Dakota Johnson as Cassie, 'Madame Web' never manages to reach the heights of other Marvel movies. The script is confusing, the action sequences lack imagination, and the visual effects appear noticeably cheap. One recurring visual device, featuring Cassie trapped in a giant plasma ball surrounded by static tendrils, is simply embarrassing.
The film mostly takes place in 2003 New York City, except for the opening scene set in an artificial 'Amazon jungle' setting. Cassie's pregnant mother, Constance, embarks on a journey to Peru in search of a rare spider with healing abilities. Betrayed by expedition sponsor Ezekiel Sims, Constance tragically dies in the jungle after being bitten by one of these spiders. However, before her demise, she passes on her newfound abilities to her unborn daughter Cassie.
Although 'Madame Web' may be a comic book movie, the plot structure exhibits parallels to Greek mythology. Cassie, named after the mythological figure Cassandra, grows up as an orphan in New York and unlocks her powers after a near-death experience at the age of 30. Unlike her namesake, the people around her tend to believe her predictions. Meanwhile, Ezekiel, who shares a similar vision, becomes consumed with the desire to prevent three young women, Julia, Anya, and Mattie, from fulfilling their prophecy of killing him.
Regrettably, rather than clarifying the crowded universe of Spider-Man-related characters, 'Madame Web' only adds to the confusion. The movie hints at the formation of a future vigilante trio, alongside the unresolved character arc of Cassie herself. Director S.J. Clarkson, along with three co-writers, fails to provide a fresh and imaginative take on the superhero genre, conjuring memories of the unimaginative superhero movies that Hollywood produced before the Marvel Cinematic Universe revolutionized the genre.
Even with the occasional use of practical effects, the film's overall aesthetic feels lackluster, almost like a backlot stunt show. The interactions between Cassie and Ezekiel, who the girls aptly refer to as 'ceiling guy' due to his ability to crawl upside-down, come across as laughably unconvincing. Additionally, Rahim's costume is disappointing, although it does serve the purpose of covering his mouth.
Amidst these failures, the performances of Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney deserve some recognition. They bring an endearing irreverence to their characters, which occasionally borders on camp but adds a spark of entertainment. However, it's not enough to salvage a film that feels more like an extended soda commercial and a teaser for potential spinoffs than a fully realized standalone story.
'Madame Web' leaves us with loose ends and hints at possible future developments. There is a missed opportunity to explore a potential romantic connection between Cassie and Ben, a fellow paramedic and her future uncle. Instead, Cassie spends most of her time babysitting the three young women, while subtle nods to 2003 consumerism, like vintage Pepsi products and a classic Calvin Klein ad, remind us of the film's setting.
In the end, 'Madame Web' fails to deliver on its promise of an intriguing origin story and compelling characters. With lackluster writing, uninspired action, and underwhelming visual effects, this film feels like a missed opportunity rather than a captivating addition to the Marvel universe. It's clear that 'Madame Web' falls short of the standards set by its canonical Marvel counterparts and leaves us disappointed.
