I would not say that all the negative reviews and press Madame Web was getting were shocking, but it was still alarming to see. Having the lowest expectations, I can say that Madame Web was nowhere near as bad as I thought that it would be or as people were making out. It is certainly not one of the greatest superhero movies I have ever seen, but it is not this absolute piece of trash that people are making out.
How to Download Madame Web
Madame Web was released on February 14, 2024. You can expect to be able to download or stream it from Netflix or Apple TV about two months after its release date. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice.
The Movie Review
As I sat down in my theatre seat, I thought that at least the costumes of our three Spider-People looked cool and it would be fun to see that. Well, if you were of that thinking, let me tell you that you see them in costume for about ten seconds more than you get in the trailer! However, with that being said, I still did not hate this movie.
Initial Impressions
My experience of Madame Web was the portrayal in the 90s Spider-Man animated series. So seeing her as an attractive 30-something playing foster mom to a bunch of teenagers was kind of weird. Dakota Johnson does a decent job here, but I will say that for about half the movie, she is an unlikable asshole, to be honest with you.
Intriguing Plot Twists
She was an orphan as her mother was killed in a jungle many years ago while researching spiders. The dude that killed her mother, Ezekiel Sims has been haunted by dreams that he will be killed by three Spider-People. This leads him to hunt them down, but there is a problem, Cassie Webb!
Character Dynamics
Cassie due to her mother being bitten by a spider during childbirth, has these clairvoyant type powers where she can see the future and various possibilities. While on a train, Cassie sees Ezekiel kill three teenagers, Julia, Mattie, and Anya, the three young ladies destined to become Spider-People and heroes.
Casting and Performances
They do a good job of showing that Cassie is a paramedic and dedicated to saving people so it was in her nature to save these three, but she kind of tries to dump them at the earliest opportunity. Cassie has a friend, Ben Parker…. Yes, that Ben Parker, and he is played by the always charming Adam Scott, and Ben’s sister Mary, just so happens to be pregnant, yeah, you know where that is going, don’t you?
Visual Effects and Style
I would not say that Madame Web is some kind of cinematic masterpiece, but it is not this hot steaming piece of garbage that many people are making it out to be. Sydney Sweeny, Celeste O’Conner, and Isabel Merced are all likable as the future heroes and despite being thrown together, they have chemistry and I did buy that they would become friends and super close.
Final Thoughts
One thing I have to give the movie credit for is the effects. I have seen so much terrible CG over the last few years, but I thought that Madame Web looked really good in pretty much every regard. I never noticed any bad CG and I felt that the movie had a pretty cool style and vibe about it.
It just felt like the movie was kind of spinning its wheels. I really wanted to see more of the three teenagers with their powers, but we only get a tease of that. I guess they were thinking that could potentially come in a sequel, but the chances of that actually happening are probably slim to none! Hey, I had a bit of fun with this one and I stand by that it is nowhere near as terrible as most people are making out.
