“Madame Web” isn’t as bad as its trailer or its release timing might suggest. It’s a light-hearted superhero origin story with Dakota Johnson delivering an entertaining performance. However, the film’s director, S.J. Clarkson, struggles to keep the visuals coherent, especially during the explosive climax. Much of the dialogue feels weighed down by exposition, occasionally offering comedic moments as Cassie Webb, played by Johnson, repeatedly has to explain the strange events unfolding around her. However, the script often falls into unintentionally dull information dumps, credited to various writers.
Introducing a new character to a big audience naturally requires some exposition. Despite this, “Madame Web” stands out in today’s crowded superhero movie landscape with its easygoing pace. Unlike the overly serious, world-ending plots we’re used to, its breezy storytelling makes it a more enjoyable watch.
In 1973, Constance searches for a special spider in the Amazon while heavily pregnant. Flash forward to 2003, her daughter Cassie, now a paramedic, gains spider-like senses after a rescue. She can see the future but struggles to convince others. Cassie, named after Cassandra, faces challenges like trying to prevent deaths she foresees. Though the idea isn’t new, “Madame Web” explores it in intriguing ways.
Cassie starts understanding her abilities when she saves three girls from an attack at Grand Central Terminal. The attacker, Ezekiel Sims, fears these girls will kill him in the future. However, his explanation of this to someone he just slept with unintentionally amuses.
Cassie, always on the move, reluctantly becomes the guardian of three different teens: shy Julia, bookish Anya, and rebellious Mattie. Johnson’s deadpan humor shines, making you wish for more scenes of her dealing with the teens’ antics. She brings a down-to-earth feel to her superhero role. While the teens’ roles are somewhat one-dimensional, the chemistry among the actors, especially with Johnson, works well.
Clarkson, known for her work on shows like “Jessica Jones,” keeps the movie lively with fast pacing, dynamic camera work, and energetic transitions. Cassie’s moments of discovering her powers are visually captivating, evoking a sense of mystery and awe.
The loud, action-packed scenes slow down “Madame Web.” While they’re typical for the genre, they’re the least engaging part. It’s no surprise that more movies in this series are coming.
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Overall Impressions | “Madame Web” is better than its trailer and release timing suggest. It’s a light-hearted superhero origin story with entertaining performances, but it suffers from issues with visual coherence and heavy exposition. |
| Introduction | Introducing a new character requires some exposition, but “Madame Web” stands out with its easygoing pace and refreshing storytelling amidst a crowded superhero movie landscape. |
| Plot Summary | The story follows Cassie, who gains spider-like senses and can see the future, facing challenges like preventing deaths she foresees. Despite familiar elements, the movie explores the concept in intriguing ways. |
| Character Dynamics | Cassie reluctantly becomes the guardian of three teens, showcasing Johnson’s deadpan humor and down-to-earth portrayal. Despite one-dimensional roles, the chemistry among the actors, especially with Johnson, works well. |
| Direction and Cinematography | Clarkson’s direction keeps the movie lively with dynamic camera work and energetic transitions, particularly in Cassie’s moments of discovering her powers. |
| Action Sequences | The action sequences, while crucial to the genre, are the least engaging part of the movie, slowing down the pacing. |
