“Along Came A Spider” was no doubt intended to follow in the same vein as author James Patterson’s first book-to-movie hit, “Kiss The Girls.” However, where “Kiss The Girls” succeeded in a clever script, genuine edge-of-the-seat thrilling and substantial acting, “Along Came A Spider” fails miserably.
Not to say that the film does not have its moments. The great Morgan Freeman reprises his role as the Washington D.C. police detective and psychologist Alex Cross. Freeman saves the movie with his realistic, heart-felt performance. His quiet intelligence and ability to deliver mediocre lines with first-rate skill is a credit to his prowess as an actor.
The notion of mediocre lines is where this film falls apart. Perhaps it’s best not to read an outstanding book before seeing the film and then invariably compare the two. If only screenwriters could leave well enough alone, “Along Came A Spider” could have become the new millennium’s version of the classic “The Silence of the Lambs.”
So much of the book was lost in transition to film that if “Based on the Novel by James Patterson” weren’t included in the credits, the audience would have no idea where this hokey film came from.
Falling prey to bad writing is actress Monica Potter, as Cross’ partner-in-crime Jezzie Flannigan. A turn of events could have been the gripping climax of the film but instead was reduced to a corny scene leaving audience members snickering to each other. However, the excellent rapport between Freeman and Potter does give her a chance to shine. Their scenes together bring out the best in Potter as she teeters between dry humor and raw emotion with apparent ease.
The film follows Cross and Flannigan as they try to recover the kidnapped daughter of the local Congressman from the elusive Gary Soneji (Michael Wincott). The FBI and the like are led through a perplexing maze created by the brilliant mind of Soneji as he attempts to pull off the crime of the century.
The story begins by reeling in the audience with a crash scene that would make any special-effects person glow with pride. That’s about the only exciting thing that happens for the first half-hour. The film is lethargic in pace albeit necessary to set the stage for the unfolding drama. Unfortunately, the unfolding drama has so many odd turns and directions that the audience ends up lost with a resounding, “what?”
Wincott ( “The Crow,” “Gunshy”) does a brilliant job of portraying the eerie intellect of Soneji down to the scary demeanor and creepy voice. Mika Boorem ( “Mighty Joe Young”) depicts the kidnapped girl excellently with calmness and courage.
The film does have the requisite chilling, yet too corny score with scary movie mainstays of rainy, dark nights and various people appearing out of nowhere to make the heart skip a beat.
But even in keeping to the scary movie formula, the film inhabits too few of those moments and instead spends too much screen time unraveling a story best left raveled.
If you’re in the mood for cheap thrills, check out the film on Friday but don’t expect any lasting impressions of greatness.
