Along Came a Spider

Story

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

DVD Features

• Available Subtitles: English
  
• Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
  
• Making Of

Theatrical International release dates:
Australia: Aug 16, 01

Movie Details

Cast:

Dylan Baker
Mika Boorem
Morgan Freeman
Penelope Ann Miller
Michael Moriarty
Jay O. Sanders
Michael Wincott
Monica Potter
Anton Yelchin
Anna Maria Horsford

MPAA Rating: R
Running time: 105 min
DVD Aspect Ratios: 1.85:1

International rating:

Europe: 15
Australia: MA

DVD International release dates:
North America: Sep 25, 01
Europe: Nov 5, 01

VHS International release dates:
North America: Mar 5, 02
Europe: May 6, 02