Columbia Pictures, Marvel Entertainment, TSG Entertainment and Di Bonaventura Pictures’ Madame Web (dubbed from the Hollywood film of the same name; UA) is the story of paramedic Cassandra Webb (Dakota Johnson) who develops psychic abilities after an accident. The special abilities allow her to see future events within the Spider World. She now needs to safeguard three young women from a deadly adversary, Sims (Tahar Rahim), who wants them destroyed. Sims is convinced that the three young ladies would kill him.
Kerem Sanga, Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless have penned a story which offers little by way of novelty. The screenplay, written by Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Claire Parker and S.J. Clarkson, is interesting and engaging in parts only. A good portion of the drama is so predictable that it fails to involve the viewers and make them get a feeling that they are participating in the proceedings.
Dakota Johnson does a fine job in the title role of Madame Web/Cassandra ‘Cassie’ Webb. Sydney Sweeney is good as Julia Cornwall. Isabela Merced makes her mark as Anya Corazon. Celeste O’Connor is effective as Mattie Franklin. Tahar Rahim leaves a fine impression as Sims. Mike Epps lends good support as O’Neil. Adam Scott has his moments as Ben Parker. Emma Roberts is alright as Ben Parker’s sister-in-law, Mary Parker. Kerry Bishé (as Cassie’s mother), Zosia Mamet (as Sim’s assistant, Amaria) and José Maria Yazpik (as Santiago) lend decent support. Josh Drennen (as Julia Cornwall’s father), Yuma Feldman (as Julia’s step-brother), Kathy-Ann Hart (as Susan, wife of O’Neil) and Jill Hennessy (as an NSA agent) are adequate.
S.J. Clarkson’s direction is ordinary. She has not been able to make the narration compelling. Johan Söderqvist’s background music is alright. Mauro Fiore’s cinematography is appropriate. Leigh Folsom Boyd’s editing could’ve been sharper. Dubbing is proper.
On the whole, Madame Web will not be able to score at the box-office.
Released on 16-2-’24 at Maratha Mandir (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay by Sony Pictures Films India Pvt. Ltd. Publicity & opening: weak. …….Also released all over. Opening was poor everywhere.
