MADAME WEB (2024) REVIEW

 

"Madame Web" swings into theaters with a surprising level of grace, despite its less-than-spectacular trailer and its calendar slot in the cinematic doldrums. It's not your typical cape-and-tights extravaganza; instead, it's a charming, low-stakes superhero origin story anchored by the delightfully deadpan Dakota Johnson.

Director S.J. Clarkson, making her feature debut after a stint in TV land, serves up a visually chaotic finale that's as explosive as it is, well, chaotic. And let's not mince words: much of the dialogue along the way feels like it's been lifted straight from a superhero 101 textbook, complete with enough exposition to sink a battleship. But hey, at least Dakota Johnson's character, Cassie Webb, gets to flex her frustration muscles as she repeatedly explains the weirdness unfolding around her. It's like a game of superhero charades, and Cassie's losing her mind one explanation at a time.

But hey, in a world where every other movie is trying to save the universe, "Madame Web" is refreshingly laid-back in its approach. Sure, it's introducing a new character to the masses, but at least it's doing it with a wink and a nod. Plus, it's got pacing smoother than a freshly spun web, making it a breezy watch compared to the doom-and-gloom epics clogging up the superhero pipeline.

The plot kicks off with a flashback to the '70s in the Peruvian Amazon, where Cassie's mom (Kerry Bishé) is on a quest for a magical spider with healing powers. Fast forward to 2003, and Cassie's all grown up, working as a paramedic in the Big Apple. But a mishap on a bridge sends her plunging into the river, triggering her own personal Spidey-sense. Suddenly, she's seeing visions of the future—but nobody's buying what she's selling. (Can you blame them? Her name is Cassandra, for crying out loud.)

As Cassie grapples with her newfound abilities, she's thrust into a high-stakes game of superhero babysitting, tasked with protecting three teenage girls from a sinister foe hell-bent on their demise. Cue the snarky one-liners and eye-rolls, courtesy of Dakota Johnson, who manages to make exasperation look effortlessly chic. Sure, her teenage charges (played by Sydney Sweeney, Isabela Merced, and Celeste O'Connor) are a bit one-dimensional, but hey, at least they're old enough to vote.

Director S.J. Clarkson, fresh off the Marvel treadmill, keeps things moving at a brisk pace, throwing in enough camera acrobatics to make your head spin faster than a radioactive spider bite. And when Cassie's powers start kicking into high gear, the visuals veer into trippy territory, giving the whole affair a dash of mysterious allure.

But let's be real: it's the big, loud action scenes that drag "Madame Web" down like an anchor in a sea of superhero clichés. Sure, they're obligatory in a movie like this, but they're also the least interesting part. And you don't need psychic powers to predict that there are more movies like this on the horizon.

In the end, "Madame Web" may not be the superhero epic to end all superhero epics, but it's a fun, frothy romp that's as light as a spider's silk and twice as sticky. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself itching for a sequel—after all, the web of Hollywood franchising knows no bounds.