SPIDER IN THE WEB is a would-be spy thriller that follows a mismatched duo in the form of ageing spy Ben Kingsley and a younger protege. It's a co-production between the UK, Belgium and Israel, but all it offers is talk, talk and more talk and nothing approaching proper plotting or any kind of interest in the material whatsoever. The cast go through the motions, Monica Bellucci shows up to add the usual glamour, and the whole thing feels generally tired and paint-by-numbers. If you enjoy watching characters chat incessantly for hours on end then maybe this film is for you...

Adereth (Ben Kingsley) works for the Mossad. He has contact with a general in Syria and they are investigating to see if a Dutch company is aiding Syria to develop chemical weapons. The general is kidnapped. Adereth has been falsifying reports and keeping the general's payment. He is called back to Antwerp where he continues his investigation. He is also being investigated. Young Mossad agent Daniel (Itay Tiran) is assigned to watch Adereth, who worked closely with Daniel's father.

The story lacks cohesive linearity. It was boring much of the way, even the killing scenes were a yawn. Claimed to have been inspired by true events.

Guide: F-word. Implied sex. No nudity.

I am a bit of a sucker for thrillers in general and spy things are nice too. Like this one. Even though it is muddled ... but the cast makes up for it a bit. Really well acted, even through some of the hurdles we see. Predictable but with the central performance of Sir Ben Kingsley also quite grounded.

If you like a bit of guessing, being torn about a character and not entirely sure what his motives are (even if you know as said where it's and he's heading),this may be for you. But I get that many feel the movie has not the power it could have and is misleading in some ways ... then again, who says that wasn't the intention?