This is just about the worst modern superhero film I've ever seen. This is on par with the 90s lame-ohs like The Shadow or The Phantom. Stiff acting, ludicrous plot, log gaps agogo, and one of the worst heroines and villain combos seen in a blockbuster for years. Dakota Johnson plays the part of Madam Web with zero enthusiasm but even she is out-witted by French actor Tahar Rahim as the big bad. He is reduced to a baddie who spouts either exposition or short directives like 'get them' , ' they went that way'. ' They're getting away', 'I have perfected the magic serum'.... It's criminally naff and boring. The worst cinema film of 2024 and it's only March!
Marvel nerds will hate it, but this is better than you could have hoped for from Marvel. It’s a pre-superpower origin story, so for three-quarters of its run-time there’s no boring cgi flash-bang fight scenes nonsense. Sure, the concept’s nonsnense, with a spiderman-type villain, but the plot’s focus is on a heroine who can see bad things happening before they happen, giving her the chance to avert them. This leads to some scenes that actually have tension. Even three teenage girls, whom she saves when the spiderman goes after them, are not your usual excruciating teenagers. Shame it all falls apart in the FF-worthy flash-bang finale, with all four women now having silly superpowers for a sequel, but for an hour and a half it’s a good watch.