Madame Web's Unique Expressions of Affection Involve Collisions with Vehicles
The romantic air of affection's anniversary is joined by another celebration this year – it's been a year since Madame Web's web ventured to connect us, sometimes unwillingly. Over the past 12 months, I've taken a liking to the campy charm that Madame Web managed to embodies amid production issues, making it a cozy watch I'd choose over many others in the waning phase of the superhero genre. So, celebrating this day of love, I'd like to address the one thing that Madame Web cherishes most.
Cars. Stealing cars. And then hurling them at the perfect targets, primarily one individual who truly deserves such treatment.
I must admit, I am as curious as you are about the mysterious draw that Madame Web had towards vehicles, specifically motorcars, in this 2003-style comic book movie. But whoever sparked this obsession, they pursued it with enthusiasm – the film starts with the near-miss of Mattie Franklin by Cassie Web’s ambulance, an incident that is rare in the film in that it lacks intentional malice. Cassie's powers arise from a car accident site, and her first attempt to save someone using her abilities results in the subject's untimely demise in another collision.
© Sony Pictures
The heroic figure in Madame Web's world is definitely the New York Taxi Cassie steals to protect her newfound wards from Ezekiel Sims' wrath, becoming a handy prop in the remainder of the movie, especially when she smashes it into Sims at a diner. All of these events culminate in the finale, with a showcase of stolen car mayhem in the form of an ambulance plowing through a Calvin Klein ad and into Sims just as he prepares to end the lives of multiple spider-themed children. The symbolism is hard to miss – it's an ambulance, Cassie's chosen vehicle as an EMT, that she steals due to unknown reasons, and uses for her second act of vehicular vengeance against Sims.
The inexplicable love for cars-turned-projectiles in Madame Web is what makes it endearingly absurd, as it represents two key factors. Firstly, it acknowledges that Madame Web's hero is mentally-powered instead of physically, which limits what action scenes the film can realistically include, especially against a foe with heightened physical abilities. However, it also embraces the superhero movie genre of the early 2000s by incorporating grounded action sequences with relatable human elements.
Secondly, the affection for simpler comic book movie productions (and their accompanying limitations) is what gives Madame Web its true charm. Despite its inconsistency in quality, it remains a faithful homage to the era of superhero films where capturing action on screen became an art, from both a technological and audience believability standpoint. It is this period's hesitation to fully embrace the source material, the desire to adapt it to the contemporary world, that leads to bizarre and humorous decisions, such as making a character's primary power the ability to track, steal, and use cars as weapons.
Madame Web may not have achieved a perfect blend of “good film” and “affectionate homage” for everyone, but it remains a film that brings a smile to my face every time it transforms into a movie centered around cars instead of Spider-Verse acrobatics. As we celebrate another superhero release that struggles to escape genre fatigue, I'll always cherish that delightful curiosity.
If you're in the mood for more io9 news, be sure to look out for the latest updates on Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases. Keep an eye on the future of the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the exciting developments in the world of Doctor Who.
- Technology played a significant role in bringing the vehicles to life in the 2003-style comic book movie 'Madame Web', enhancing the grounded action sequences that were representative of the superhero genre during that era.
- In the world of 'Madame Web', movies from the early 2000s, such as those featuring 'Star Wars' or 'Marvel', might have inspired the filmmakers' use of cars as weapons, showing the impact of cinema on various forms of entertainment and storytelling.
- As we celebrate another superhero release, reminiscing about 'Madame Web', we can't help but laugh at the film's absurdity, which was perhaps a result of the limitations in technology and budget at the time, as well as a typical trait of appealing to a mass audience.
- The future of technology, specifically in the realm of movies and entertainment, will undoubtedly continue to shape the direction of superhero stories, varying from the serious and dark tones of 'Batman' to the light-hearted and humorous traits found in 'Madame Web'.
