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A spider's web of suspense
Posted Thu, 26 Jul 2001
| Our Rating |  |
| Reviewer | Marisa Dean |
| Rated | R |
| Running Time | 104 mins |
| Starring | Morgan Freeman, Monica Potter, Michael Wincott |
| Screenplay | Marc Moss, based on the book by James Patterson |
| Director | Lee Tamahori |
| Website | http://www.alongcameaspidermovie.com |
| Movie Details | The Internet Movie Database |
In “Along came a Spider”, the sequel to 1997's "Kiss the Girls", but based on the first book in James Patterson's Alex Cross series, Morgan Freeman reprises his role as a psychologist and police detective who hunts sociopathic criminals.
As the film opens, Cross has gone into retirement, following the violent death of his partner in a botched sting which he spearheaded. Of course, there would be no movie if Cross stuck to his plans, and so, before he can resist, he is lured into a cat-and-mouse manhunt. This time, the case involves finding the kidnapper of a US congressman’s daughter, who was snatched from an exclusive high-security school in Washington.
For all intents and purposes, little Megan Rose (Mika Boorem) was abducted by one of her teachers, Gary Soneji (Michael Wincott), from right under the nose of the Secret Service agent, Jezzie Flannigan (Monica Potter), assigned to look after her. Of course, Cross is drawn to the case by the provocative criminal profile of Soneji, who is eager to confront a worthy adversary in his quest to commit the “crime of the century”.
It would spoil the marginal appeal of “Along Came A Spider” to recite the rest of the plot. Suffice to say that the movie basically works as a puzzle, with a few twists in the final scenes that will take you by surprise. Unfortunately, right from the outset the movie shies away from the raw violence and creepiness that made thrillers like “Seven” and even “Kiss the Girls” truly scary.
Despite moments of suspended logic — police jurisdictional issues are fuzzy, and the plot's workings are sometimes a little too obvious or convenient — the movie has some entertainment value thanks in no small part to Freeman, whose understated style conveys real magnetic power.
Under the direction of New Zealander Lee Tamahori ("Mulholland Falls", “Once Were Warriors”), Freeman carries the movie with effortless grace. It's not a performance that will win him awards, but it is a role where the patient confidence of his every move and glance adds a sense of stunning realism.
Because Freeman is riveting to watch, and the suspense is sufficient, the movie works as an entertaining diversion. It is, however, awfully familiar territory, crossed without any special distinction. In fact, there is little in the first 75 minutes that would distinguish it from being a regular weekly episode of a TV cop show.
