Along Came a Spider (2001)
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Front Cover |
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Movie Details |
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Language |
English |
Audience Rating |
R (Restricted) |
Running Time |
103 mins |
Country |
USA |
Color |
Color |
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Plot |
After an obligatory prologue in which its detective hero suffers a tragic professional setback, Along Came a Spider sets about its business of luring the viewer into its nefarious plot, relying on the magician's technique of misdirection to reveal a double-whammy surprise. The clever, late-coming plot twist is a bit too mechanical but effectively unexpected, making this a satisfying prequel to the hit thriller Kiss the Girls--based on the first of James Patterson's Alex Cross detective novels--and a welcomed addition to a promising movie franchise. It's no better or worse than a good vintage episode of Peter Falk's Columbo, adhering closely to the mystery-thriller's time-honored traditions, but with Morgan Freeman settling comfortably into his role as seasoned sleuth Alex Cross, familiar formula is given fresh vitality. When a senator's daughter is kidnapped from her high-security private school, the kidnapper (nicely played by the underrated Michael Wincott) draws Cross into the case, knowing that the psychologist-detective's involvement will bring high-profile publicity. Cross partners with the Secret Service agent (Monica Potter) who botched her assignment, but wait... the movie's got a rabbit in its hat... and that rabbit has an ace up its sleeve... and director Lee Tamahori (who brought similar intensity to The Edge) handles the sleight-of-hand with slick precision, dispensing just enough information to keep the viewer off guard without resorting to cheap manipulation. Don't look for much depth of character here, but Along Came a Spider is well served by everyone involved. It's the movie equivalent of a bestseller you'd impulsively buy at the grocery-store checkout, and on those terms it succeeds. --Jeff Shannon |
Personal Details |
Seen It |
Yes |
Index |
808 |
Collection Status |
In Collection |
Links |
Amazon US
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Product Details |
Format |
DVD |
Region |
Region 1 |
Screen Ratio |
1.85:1 |
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097363365143 |
Release Date |
9/25/2001 |
Subtitles |
English |
Audio Tracks |
English Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
French Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround |
Nr of Disks/Tapes |
1 |
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