Madame Web Review: Even Dakota Johnson’s Powerful Visions Couldn’t Save This Shoddy Marvel Movie!
Where do I begin!
2 / 5
In the latest superhero flick of 2024, Madame Web swings into action, bringing Marvel Comics’ iconic character to life on the big screen. In collaboration with Marvel Entertainment and TSG Entertainment, and brought to audiences by Sony Pictures Releasing, this film marks the fourth installment in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe (SSU). Directed by. J. Clarkson Madame Web stars the brilliant Dakota Johnson as the main character. Joining her are a stellar cast including Sydney Sweeney, Celeste O’Connor, Isabela Merced, Tahar Rahim, Mike Epps, Emma Roberts, and Adam Scott. Madame Web makes her cinematic debut with Dakota Johnson in the lead role but falls short of capturing the essence of its comic book roots. Despite its thrilling moments, the film struggles to weave a cohesive storyline, leaving audiences longing for a more captivating superhero adventure. Here’s why!
Plot
Madame Web spins an exciting tale about Cassie Webb, a young woman with some psychic powers. When Cassie crosses paths with three intriguing girls, each with their own secrets, she’s drawn into a whirlwind of adventure. But trouble brews when Cassie uncovers a wicked plan by a guy named Ezekiel Sims. He’s not just any bad guy; he’s after ultimate control over everything, and that’s bad news for everyone, especially Cassie and her newfound friends.
In this thrilling adventure, Cassie Webb (portrayed by Dakota Johnson) grapples with her history while embarking on a mission to rescue three young women and safeguard their futures from the nefarious Ezekiel Sims (played by Tahar Rahim). With action-packed scenes and twists at every turn, Madame Web promises to keep audiences on the edge of their seats as they witness a battle between good and evil unfold spectacularly.
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I’m going to try and make this review as spoiler-free as possible, given that there aren’t many spoilers to give in the first place. Now, if you’re a die-hard Marvel fan like me, you know that Madame Web is a big deal in the Spiderverse. So, when I heard they were bringing her to the big screen, I was ready to be dazzled.
But here’s the thing, darlings: the Madame Web played by Dakota Johnson we get in the movie is like a distant cousin twice removed from the one we know and love in the comics. I’m talking major makeover vibes. From her age to her whole vibe, it’s a whole new ballgame. Madame Web’s powers are seriously epic in the comics, like next-level stuff. But cramming all that awesomeness into a measly two-hour movie. It goes deeper than that guys, she’s better than that!
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Let me tell you the good bits first. First off, let’s give a round of applause for that killer musical score. It’s like the soundtrack has a direct line to your emotions, hitting you right in the feels when you least expect it. With clever sound pans, bass that’ll make your heart race, and reverse effects that’ll leave you on the edge of your seat, it’s a total sensory experience.
Storyline
Here’s the thing, you can’t have a superhero movie without some juicy backstory, right? But lemme tell ya, if you’re expecting a whole squad of superheroes to save the day, you’re in for a rude awakening, my friend. Given how it was delivered through the trailer and the posters, for someone who is expecting it to be a multi-protagonist superhero movie you are definitely setting yourself up for some major disappointment, boss.
The story had a lot of loopholes when it comes to how certain scenes were delivered. I mean, I do believe in coincidences, that’s what most romcoms have taught us but like! Until a certain point, I was quite thrilled by the level of nonchalant ‘Oh it just happened’ scenes. And this is supposed to be a Marvel movie, folks! We expect better than that, especially when it’s all about those webs! I’ll admit, I was on the edge of my seat for a hot minute there, thinking maybe, just maybe, they’d tie it all together in the end. But nah, it’s like they dropped the ball and didn’t even bother to pick it up. And in a Spider-Verse movie, of all places! Talk about a missed opportunity, am I right?
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Also Read: Marvel’s ‘Eternals’ Review: Chloé Zhao’s Superhero Film Is Beautiful, Human, Different, But Lacking
Script
So, let’s talk about the script for Madame Web. It’s like they took a bunch of Marvel clichés, threw them in a blender, and hit “puree” a few too many times. The dialogue? Let’s just say it’s about as smooth as sandpaper on a Monday morning. Dakota Johnson’s lines as Cassie are supposed to be witty, but they come off more like a bad stand-up routine. I mean, seriously, “Hope the spiders were worth it, mom”?
And don’t even get me started on Ezekiel. The villain of the movie felt like the most uninvited character throughout the film. From his extremely unsynced dialogue deliveries to the weirdly convenient action scene dialogues, it just did not fit well. Hear me out! Remember that one scene from The Amazing Spider-Man 2 where Peter and Gwen are having a dramatic conversation during a fight scene? Yes, that one! That’s the kind of emotional depth we’re talking about. Andrew Garfield nailed it, even with that spidey suit on! Throughout Madame Web, I constantly felt like Ezekiel’s dialogues were some third person just yapping in the movie.
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As for the Spider-Girls, well, they’re about as deep as a kiddie pool. Mattie’s the rebel, Anya’s the brainiac, and Julia’s the awkward one. It’s like they’re ticking off boxes on a teenage stereotype checklist. And their chemistry with Cassie? Let’s just say it was quite awkward throughout the film. Overall, the cast does what they can with what they’re given, but there’s only so much you can do with a script that has so many possibilities to explore.
Cinematography
It’s time to dive into cinematography. Okay so talking about the cinematography, I’ve mixed feelings about this one. Some shots were very well depicted in terms of the cinematography but there were also moments when I felt dizzy until the point I’d puke! Trying to find that balance between making an action film either fully story-driven or motion-driven, I guess Clarkson had plans to make it the latter.
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Also Read: Barbie Review: Greta Gerwig’s Feminist Satire Is A Fun, Tearful, Fabulously Pink Catharsis That Made Me Feel Seen
Costumes
Oh honey, where do I even begin? I won’t be able to sleep a few nights thinking about how the costume selection in a superhero movie was so unattended. Considering the only few instances you get to see them in the movie (you’d know what I’m talking about if you’ve watched the movie), the costumes were quite off. The costumes were giving me major “Day in the Life” vibes. And not in a good way. With all the central characters in the mix, you’d think they could’ve gone all out with the costumes. From Dakota Johnson’s Cassie Webb in a basic red leather jacket to the glove that doesn’t fit well in that superhero suit, I was waiting for the sparks to fly till the very end!
Verdict
Despite a stellar cast led by Dakota Johnson, the chemistry among the characters feels forced and unconvincing, detracting from the overall impact of the film. The storyline, while initially intriguing, quickly loses momentum as it struggles to tie together various plot points and character arcs cohesively. What could have been a dynamic exploration of the Spiderverse ends up feeling disjointed and underdeveloped.
The script is riddled with clichés and uninspired dialogue, which hampers the film’s potential. The poor backstory makes it extremely hard to engage audiences on a deeper level. Even the villain, portrayed by Tahar Rahim, falls short of leaving a lasting impression, with poorly executed dialogue and character development.
While Madame Web boasts moments of visual flair and impressive cinematography, these elements alone cannot salvage the film from its narrative shortcomings. Ultimately, it’s a missed opportunity to explore the rich mythology of the Spiderverse and deliver a truly memorable cinematic experience. For fans expecting a web-slinging adventure of epic proportions, Madame Web may leave them feeling more entangled in disappointment than excitement.
Sony Pictures’ Madame Web is in theatres from February 16, 2024. But I’d insist on waiting for the OTT release because, nope!
