[bitontheslide]

Madame Web, the fourth film in Sony's Spider-Man Universe, has been branded a "tangled mess" by critics, who have largely savaged it.

Starring Dakota Johnson and Sydney Sweeney, both the film premise and the acting have come under fire in a string of one-star reviews.

Based on Marvel Comics, the film centres around a paramedic with arachnid-based psychic powers.

Last year the trailer went viral for its "laughably unsure tone".

In a single-star review, the Guardian's Benjamin Lee called the film "as dumb and schlocky as the worst of the genre, with lousy network TV effects, uninvolving action and unfunny and inelegant dialogue".

Variety's Peter Debruge also slated the film, saying it felt "superfluous" in a "world already a little overcrowded with arachnid-related superheroes".

The title character has "ill-defined powers and nothing especially interesting to do", he added.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-68292731

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[Ammi]

…blame the movie makers, not the actress/star…?…this genre of movies is just so explored that any have to be pretty sensational and exceptional and unique, to stand out as having positive reviews ….I was just watching the trailer and Dakota is as lovely as she always is, she delivers her role in exactly how it would be hoped or expected from her…so if she’s disappointing the critics in some way then she was wrongly chosen…but what do they know anyway…

…here’s the trailer, she looks fine to me…as uniquely Dakota as always…

Youtube video

[Niamh.]

My stepson and his g/f went to see it last night and they enjoyed it

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

My stepson and his g/f went to see it last night and they enjoyed it

….see…smart and discerning public audience 1 - lazy old critics 0….

[bitontheslide]

i think the critics are suffering from super hero burn out

[LeatherTrumpet]

‘Madame Web’ Isn’t As Bad As You’ve Heard. It’s So Much Worse

Its not one critic its all critics - the film is a hot mess and i would not advise anyone to waste their money.

"A genuine Chernobyl-level disaster that seems to get exponentially more radioactive as
it goes along, this detour to one of the dustier corners of Marvel’s content farm is a
dead end from start to finish. It is the Cats: The Movie of superhero movies. Not a
single decision seems of sound mind. Not a single performance feels in sync with the
material. Not a single line reading feels as if it hasn’t somehow been magically Auto-
Tuned to subtract emotion and/or inflection. The sole amazing factor of this Spider
spinoff is that someone, somewhere signed off on actually releasing it."

https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movi...ff-1234956689/

IMBD gives it 3.8

Nuff said....

[thesheriff443]

She just went out wearing a see through dress which was interesting

[Nicky91]

don't care about critics myself, critics are just a bunch of snobs who think they know everything better (i mean they praise the snoozefest turd Oppenheimer into the heavens above for whatever reason)


i'll likely watch this, and i think i'll like it




this is who Madame Web is btw, in the comics



so in this film, we get to see how she gets her spider powers,

Spoiler:

but she is above spider-man, and every spider men anyway in the multiverses

i've seen those animated series with the episodes involving her character, i quite liked her character anyway

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

i think the critics are suffering from super hero burn out

That's fair tbh, there was a bit of an over load in recent years and the quality has gone down. I watched the new Aquaman just recently and tbf it was poor enough, the special effects have gone really bad as well, almost cartoon like

[Niamh.]

I'm pretty curious to watch it myself now just to see if it really is as bad as the reviews, I am quite easily pleased when it comes to movies though

[Mystic Mock]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

i think the critics are suffering from super hero burn out

I think so too.

I haven't seen Madame Web, but I did enjoy the first Venom Film, which I know the critics bashed that too.

Imo Critics like a lot of boring stuff, it's best to just go with your own gut.

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by Mystic Mock

Imo Critics like a lot of boring stuff, it's best to just go with your own gut.

The whole point of critics is that they see films you haven't so you can avoid going to see crap like this

[Nicky91]

Originally Posted by Mystic Mock

I think so too.

I haven't seen Madame Web, but I did enjoy the first Venom Film, which I know the critics bashed that too.

Imo Critics like a lot of boring stuff, it's best to just go with your own gut.

+1

exactly

we all have different tastes tbh


and not the first time either critics are harsh on Dakota, seems like they are extra hard on her just because she is the daughter of the hunky Miami Vice heartthrob and one hit wonder music star Don Johnson



most low rated films i tend to like (most of The Asylum from Syfy i enjoyed a lot, which got 2.0's or even below that) films, series should be lighthearted entertainment, nothing too heavy, or to overthink the story

that said one top rated film i am gonna watch when it is on Disney is Poor Things and i might like that one too

[Oliver_W]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

The whole point of critics is that they see films you haven't so you can avoid going to see crap like this

The Harley Quinn film was a critical success

[arista]

"blame the movie makers"

Yes Ammi

After some time they may say
the actors let them down

[LeatherTrumpet]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

The Harley Quinn film was a critical success

3 stars from the DT and 6.1 IMDB

That said Mark Kermode kind of liked it

so not universal by any means

[bitontheslide]

if a film has a compelling story, if the acting is top notch, it doesn't need fantastic special effects. I have trouble watching most of the modern super hero movies, because they constantly bombard you with action scenes with next to no actual story and the actors seem to be chosen on the basis of how long they have spent working out at the gym

[Soldier Boy]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

if a film has a compelling story, if the acting is top notch, it doesn't need fantastic special effects. I have trouble watching most of the modern super hero movies, because they constantly bombard you with action scenes with next to no actual story and the actors seem to be chosen on the basis of how long they have spent working out at the gym

I both agree and disagree - it depends what you're going to watch, and if there's any art behind the CGI - a lot of critics are snobs who can't see it. To give some examples... Most recent Marvel films are bland, generic factory farmed CGI. Indeed boring.

However, I am a Snyder fan for his CGI and can give some examples of the exact opposite - utterly gorgeous CGI that's more than worth the price of admission, despite plots and overall movies only being mediocre.

1) Any "Flash" scene in the extended Justice League film. Not an amazing film, some gorgeous CGI.

2) The titular fight of Batman vs Superman. Stunning.

3) All of "Sucker Punch". The whole film. The plot is wafer thin and a bit twee. The film itself is an absolutely jaw-dropping CGI masterclass. The "Robot train" sequence is just outstanding.

To use a non-snyder examples... The "mysterio illusion" sequence from Spider-man Far From Home. Top drawer.

The Thanos vs Doctor Strange fight in Infinity War. Also brilliantly done.

But yes, in general, Disney/Marvel have gotten extremely lazy and these Sony Spider-verse films are soullessly trying to cash in and churning out garbage like Morbius and Madame Web.

[Ammi]

…I loved Sucker Punch……the fight scenes were superb and the story was such an impact…

[Nicky91]

Originally Posted by Soldier Boy

I both agree and disagree - it depends what you're going to watch, and if there's any art behind the CGI - a lot of critics are snobs who can't see it. To give some examples... Most recent Marvel films are bland, generic factory farmed CGI. Indeed boring.

However, I am a Snyder fan for his CGI and can give some examples of the exact opposite - utterly gorgeous CGI that's more than worth the price of admission, despite plots and overall movies only being mediocre.

1) Any "Flash" scene in the extended Justice League film. Not an amazing film, some gorgeous CGI.

2) The titular fight of Batman vs Superman. Stunning.

3) All of "Sucker Punch". The whole film. The plot is wafer thin and a bit twee. The film itself is an absolutely jaw-dropping CGI masterclass. The "Robot train" sequence is just outstanding.

To use a non-snyder examples... The "mysterio illusion" sequence from Spider-man Far From Home. Top drawer.

The Thanos vs Doctor Strange fight in Infinity War. Also brilliantly done.

But yes, in general, Disney/Marvel have gotten extremely lazy and these Sony Spider-verse films are soullessly trying to cash in and churning out garbage like Morbius and Madame Web.

i disagree

Moon Knight, Ms Marvel, Werewolf at Night beg to differ in terms of proper storylines, a newer generation of heroes

with Ms Marvel also being good historical educational content (almost similar levels to Roots i think in terms of impact)

Spoiler:

with the partition of india, showcasing how evil the british also once were

and Werewolf at Night getting praised for usage of black/white filming work to give it that classic touch


Moon Knight i personally liked, this newer superhero looked fab, Ethan Hawke as the villain, his acting was phenomenal (he got praised for similar vibes to one flew over cuckoo's nest film)


She-Hulk okay fair enough there but i personally liked the sitcom vibe, felt refreshing for me, bit more lighthearted comedy for a change



i enjoyed watching Morbius, also nice quite alternative storytelling


Spiderman: No Way Home i had goosebumps with especially seeing Willem Dafoe again as Green Goblin and Alfred Molina as Doc Ock as well as all spiderman actors in one film



whats to come this year, Deadpool & Wolverine also looking forward to that, Hugh is amazing anyway, also excited for what songs are being used now, i liked the previous films its songs, Celine Dion ''Ashes''




Disney aren't lazy at all proper deals of 100% ownership of Hulu, 20th Century Fox/21th Century Fox

we have Renegade Nell coming out this month could also be something nice i think for royalty fans out there as well as fans of around the napoleon era


Alien: Romulus also to come in august, hopefully a success for that franchise now similar to the predator prequel Prey, i have good hopes with the new director Fede Alvarez (he delivered amazing work in Don't Breathe films)

[LeatherTrumpet]

I watched Prisoners (2013) Stars Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal last night. IMDB 8.1 and id give it 6.1.

But that film is completely different to watch as a parent than not a parent for example.

That said it was enjoyable but also ridiculously overacted and i spent lots of the movie thinking " well that would not happen" which is annoying

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Soldier Boy

I both agree and disagree - it depends what you're going to watch, and if there's any art behind the CGI - a lot of critics are snobs who can't see it. To give some examples... Most recent Marvel films are bland, generic factory farmed CGI. Indeed boring.

However, I am a Snyder fan for his CGI and can give some examples of the exact opposite - utterly gorgeous CGI that's more than worth the price of admission, despite plots and overall movies only being mediocre.

1) Any "Flash" scene in the extended Justice League film. Not an amazing film, some gorgeous CGI.

2) The titular fight of Batman vs Superman. Stunning.

3) All of "Sucker Punch". The whole film. The plot is wafer thin and a bit twee. The film itself is an absolutely jaw-dropping CGI masterclass. The "Robot train" sequence is just outstanding.

To use a non-snyder examples... The "mysterio illusion" sequence from Spider-man Far From Home. Top drawer.

The Thanos vs Doctor Strange fight in Infinity War. Also brilliantly done.

But yes, in general, Disney/Marvel have gotten extremely lazy and these Sony Spider-verse films are soullessly trying to cash in and churning out garbage like Morbius and Madame Web.

Originally Posted by Ammi

…I loved Sucker Punch……the fight scenes were superb and the story was such an impact…

I hated Sucker Punch, was like watching some teenage boys wet dream, trying to disguise it as a "girl power" film

[Soldier Boy]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

I hated Sucker Punch, was like watching some teenage boys wet dream, trying to disguise it as a "girl power" film

Like I said I found the plot thin and you're right it's somewhat problematic as well, I have abundant criticisms of Snyder films in general BUT that was my point really - say what you will about Snyder films... problematic themes, problematic casts, just over-long sometimes... however in terms of artistic vision in CGI-heavy action I honestly think there's no equal. The detail and clear (somewhat paradoxically) "hand-crafted" frame to frame construction of the action scenes is just a million miles from the Disney-factory-fresh approach you get in things like the MCU.

To be fair Disney is probably the worst for it and getting worse - churning out boring visual effects. They pulled out the stops for Infinity War and Endgame, I will give them that much, but otherwise it's just not "there" at all any more. Spider-man has done it best recently and IMO that's because there's heavy input from Sony and it's not a "pure" Disney/Marvel franchise despite being part of the MCU.

The one recent exception I'd give with the MCU is Shang Chi - not one of my favourite Marvel movies, but it's very clear that a lot of love and consideration has gone into the visual effects.

[Soldier Boy]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

was like watching some teenage boys wet dream, trying to disguise it as a "girl power" film

I'm actually going to rewatch it and consider this because I have an inkling that it's a bad take, and that the BIB might be integral to the social commentary that is there BUT it's several years since I watched it so I can't be 100% of my thoughts on the exploitative elements. If my opinion is still the same I'll come back and mansplain it a bit .

If anything I remember my main criticism being that I found the exploitation/power dynamics commentary a bit unsubtle and on-the-nose, but not inaccurate. Over the top male gaze and anime-esque infantilisation is part of the commentary.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Soldier Boy

I'm actually going to rewatch it and consider this because I have an inkling that it's a bad take, and that the BIB might be integral to the social commentary that is there BUT it's several years since I watched it so I can't be 100% of my thoughts on the exploitative elements. If my opinion is still the same I'll come back and mansplain it a bit .

If anything I remember my main criticism being that I found the exploitation/power dynamics commentary a bit unsubtle and on-the-nose, but not inaccurate. Over the top male gaze and anime-esque infantilisation is part of the commentary.

We actually watched it a few years back for Movie Club on TiBB

https://www.thisisbigbrother.com/for...h#post10997616