Dakota Johnson has proven herself to be a versatile and charismatic actress in films like ‘The Peanut Butter Falcon’, ‘The High Note’, and the ‘Fifty Shades’ franchise. But even her charm and talent can’t save ‘Madame Web’, a poorly executed attempt at launching a new superheroine in the crowded Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Johnson plays Jessica Drew, a journalist who gets bitten by a genetically modified spider while investigating a shady corporation. She soon develops superpowers such as enhanced strength, agility, and the ability to sense danger. She also discovers that she is part of a secret organization of female spies called Madame Web, led by the mysterious Julia Carpenter (Julianne Moore).
The premise sounds promising, but the execution is anything but. The film suffers from a lack of focus, coherence, and originality. The plot is a jumbled mess of clichés, exposition, and twists that make little sense. The action scenes are bland and repetitive, relying on shaky cam and CGI. The tone is inconsistent, shifting from comedy to drama to horror without any rhyme or reason. The characters are shallow and forgettable, with no clear motivation or development.
The film wastes the potential of its cast, especially Johnson, who tries her best to inject some personality and humor into her role. But she is given little to work with, as her character is reduced to a generic and confused heroine who doesn’t know what she wants or who she is. Moore, who is usually a reliable performer, is also disappointing as the villainous Carpenter, who has a convoluted and nonsensical plan to take over the world.
All we can say is, ‘Madame Web’ was simply a web of lies.
