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Review by Dustin Putman
2½ stars out of 4
A superior, loose sequel to 1997's lurid and silly "Kiss the Girls," "Along
Came a Spider" is a competently made thriller--well acted, tautly directed,
but with more than a few ludicrous twists and plot holes. The story this time
around does not revolve around a serial killer, but a vicious kidnapper,
which is an admittedly refreshing change of pace from what was originally
expected, and what I am used to seeing in this genre. It is ultimately the
film's tight pacing that saves the day, turning what could have been a
tiresome retread into an enjoyable, if unexceptional, viewing experience.
Brilliant investigator Alex Cross (Morgan Freeman), the one major returning
character from "Kiss the Girls," has been having a rough personal time
lately, unrequitedly guilt-ridden for not being able to save the life of his
partner several months earlier. He is called back to work, however, when one
Megan Rose (Mika Boorem), the 12-year-old daughter of a United States
senator, is abducted by her teacher, Gary Soneji (Michael Wincott), while at
school. Helping and guiding Alex in his desperate search is Jezzie Flanagan
(Monica Potter), a secret service agent who has worked at the exclusive
private school for the last two years. If anyone can possibly know why Megan
was kidnapped, it is Jezzie, who has grown to know and care about all of her
charges.
"Along Came a Spider" is riddled with far-fetched ideas and sequences,
including a mad chase through the streets and metro stations of Washington,
D.C. without any accuracy in where each location is placed on a real map.
There is also a laughable scene in which the FBI is able to conveniently
search through the kidnapper's home using only a camera and a computer that
is able to zoom in on every minute detail of the room. The movie is a little
silly when you stop to think about it long enough, and yet, it works in spite
of its flaws.
The screenplay, by Marc Moss (based on the novel by James Patterson), and
direction, by Lee Tamahori (1997's "The Edge"), are certainly instrumental in
making the picture's spare parts gel together into a satisfyingly cohesive
whole, but it is Morgan Freeman who makes everything convincing. Freeman
(2000's "Nurse Betty") is a class-act veteran, taking every character he
plays so seriously that it would almost be impossible for him to turn in a
bad performance. His Alex Cross is not developed much further than he was in
"Kiss the Girls," but it is a smart, cunning character that you cannot help
but follow.
Holding her own is Monica Potter (2001's "Head Over Heels"), a younger,
blonder version of Julia Roberts, who is quickly becoming quite a stunning
actress. Potter more than makes up for the absence of Ashley Judd (the
heroine in the movie's predecessor), and genuinely is able to go through a
spectrum of differing emotions, as she isn't sure how to react to her own
failings as a guardian at the school.
Mika Boorem (2000's "The Patriot"), as Megan Rose, is perhaps the standout in
the film. Megan may be a young child, but she is a clever, intelligent, and
strong individual--quite a rare feat for such a small kidnap victim in the
world of feature films. Boorem is not only likable, but believable, and her
role is not an easy one, either.
From the opening credits, which ingeniously consist of the words being
lowered by the strings of a spider web, to the stunning prologue that depicts
a horrifying automobile accident which concludes over the side of a
waterfall, to the unpredictable finale, "Along Came a Spider" is a good
movie. Judging from how strongly I disliked "Kiss the Girls," it is probably
better than it has any right to be. It isn't a great achievement, however.
The climactic twist is undoubtedly surprising, but it also leaves several
unanswered questions, and almost feels like a betrayal. You'll know what I
mean when you see it. Suffice to say, amidst its downfalls, the ending is
much like the entire movie in general: not completely agreeable, but
nonetheless, it manages to somehow remain a strong entertainment.
Copyright © 2001 Dustin Putman
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