Overall I enjoyed Along Came a Spider, it wasn't absolutely brilliant, but it sets out to be a good thriller and does that. Even with some plot implausibilities, a so-so performance from Monica Potter and one or two moments of forced pacing, it is well made and suspenseful. The cinematography is skillful and stylish, and the music is nicely done and adds to the suspense. The pace in general is brisk, apart from it being forced on occasions when it tried to fit in too many plot twists, and the story springs from an interesting concept. The script has some very good moments, and the direction is very good. The performances apart from Monica Potter are strong, with Morgan Freeman great as always and Michael Wincott solid as the kidnapper. Mika Boorem shows promise as a blossoming young actress, and Penelope Ann Miller does a very nice job as her mother. Overall, decent thriller, with problems, but carried by its cast primarily. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Morgan Freeman made his second appearance as police detective/profiler Alex Cross in Along Came The Spider. Cross is a man of both thought and action and Freeman certainly covers both aspects of his character well.

Michael Wincott plays a master criminal who Cross has been on the trail of in the past. His latest scheme involves the kidnapping of young Mika Boorem who is the daughter of US Senator Michael Moriarty. The young lady rates some Secret Service protection which is never really gone into other than possibly Moriarty is announced candidate for president.

But her detail which is in the charge of Monica Potter is completely outfoxed by Wincott in disguise who snatches Boorem right from the grounds of an exclusive school that she attends. Wincott then practically invites his old adversary Freeman in on the hunt by sending an article of clothing that Boorem wore to Freeman's house.

What seems to be a battle of wits between Freeman and Wincott at first is far from that. There are a couple of other players in this game and they just might be holding the winning hand.

I really was impressed with how Freeman got into all aspects of Detective Alex Cross. This man is intelligent and compassionate and is not easily fooled. Those other players in the game think they've got Freeman bamboozled, but he's far from that.

Along Came A Spider is an intelligent action thriller with major kudos going to Morgan Freeman for his portrayal of Alex Cross.

Detective profiler Alex Cross (Morgan Freeman) loses his partner after the perp drives them over a dam. He's been hiding ever since. Senator (Michael Moriarty)'s daughter Megan Rose (Mika Boorem) is kidnapped under secret service agent Jezzie Flannigan (Monica Potter)'s watch. The kidnapper is disguised as teacher Gary Soneji (Michael Wincott). He calls up Cross to get him back into the game. Agent Ollie McArthur (Dylan Baker) is now in charge. Agent Ben Devine (Billy Burke) is also in trouble along with Flannigan. Cross teams up with Flannigan who has known Soneji for the last 2 years. It's a cat and mouse game where Soneji seems to be inspired by the Lindbergh baby kidnapping.

Morgan Freeman reprises his Alex Cross role from 'Kiss the Girls' replacing Ashley Judd with Monica Potter. They form a good team. I like him in this role. He is more cerebral than muscle. It's got good tension. It's on track for a very good thriller. Then the twist comes and the logic goes all to heck. This could have been better. At least we still have Morgan Freeman.