Madame Web (English) Review {2.0/5} & Review Rating
Madame Web is a film directed by S J Clarkson that tells the story of a young woman who becomes the savior of three teenage girls. The movie takes us on a journey from the Peruvian Amazon in 1973 to New York City 30 years later, introducing us to a world where visions of the future and supernatural powers collide.
Synopsis
In 1973, Constance Webb (Kerry Bishé) ventures into the Peruvian Amazon in the eighth month of her pregnancy in search of spiders with healing properties. After a struggle, she finds the spider she’s been searching for. However, her guard, Ezekiel Sims (Tahar Rahim), takes the spider from her with the intention of gaining powers for himself. He shoots Constance and flees, only to be confronted by the Las Arañas tribe who try to save her. Despite their efforts, Constance dies after giving birth to a baby girl, Cassie Webb (Dakota Johnson).
In present-day New York City, Cassie, now working as a paramedic, discovers that she has the ability to see the future. Meanwhile, Ezekiel, also in New York, has visions of being killed by three masked women. He sets out to find them and realizes they are three teenage girls – Julia Cornwall (Sydney Sweeney), Anya Corazon (Isabela Merced), and Mattie Franklin (Celeste O’Connor). As fate would have it, they all end up in the same place at the same time, and Cassie, seeing Ezekiel’s intentions, saves them from his grasp.
Story Review
The storyline by Kerem Sanga, Matt Sazama, and Burk Sharpless has been deemed clichéd. The screenplay by Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Claire Parker, and S J Clarkson is engaging but has left the audience confused with its confusing and bewildering moments. Many agree that the dialogues fall flat and lack the humor and wit that would have added an extra layer to the film.
Director S J Clarkson’s execution has also been criticized for not offering anything new. The film arrived at a time when superhero movies were saturating the market, and the director’s attempt to portray Cassie’s unique ability to see the future and go back in time did not have the desired impact. The climax, which should have been exhilarating, was also criticized for lacking energy.
Performances
Dakota Johnson’s performance has been praised for her efforts to elevate the subpar script. Sydney Sweeney also received positive feedback for her portrayal. Isabela Merced and Celeste O’Connor lent solid support, but Tahar Rahim’s performance was criticized as over the top. Kerry Bishé, José María Yazpik, and Adam Scott delivered memorable performances.
Music and Technical
Johan Söderqvist’s music was noted for its typical superhero feel, while Mauro Fiore’s cinematography received no complaints. Ethan Tobman’s production design was appreciated for its richness, and Ngila Dickson’s costumes were lauded for their style. However, the VFX was criticized as unappealing, and Leigh Folsom Boyd’s editing was considered fair.
Conclusion
Madame Web’s flaws in script and execution have resulted in negative reviews. The film faces an uphill battle at the box office due to these shortcomings.
In conclusion, Madame Web has received mixed reviews and faces challenges in winning over audiences. The film’s potential was overshadowed by execution and performance issues, ultimately impacting its reception.