#SheReviews Inspector Sun And The Curse Of The Black Widow – Ruth Greening

February 12, 2024

A classic ‘who dunnit’ set in the world of bugs where spiders are the cops and other characters are all smartly dressed spiders and insects. Some good and some bad with unique personalities, living in a world of humans.

A Spanish animated mystery thriller spoken in English, directed by Julio Soto Gurpide based on an original screenplay by Rocco Pucillo. This is a movie for the whole family, even the older children will enjoy it. I did being a big kid at heart.  

Fabulous colourful graphics, and a great storyline. The film took me back to the days of Agatha Christie’s Poirot series where a Belgian detective had a knack for solving crimes in a dry humourous way, infused with his serious pursuit of justice. Inspector Sun, albeit an animated spider, has similar quirky characteristics. I love how Inspector Sun quickly creates his parachute by weaving a web. 

The Story

It was Shanghai, China in 1934. Beneath the feet of humans, a film noir world of bug detectives and gangsters coexists. Inspector Sun is a loner Huntsman spider still grieving for his slain wife.

A police force of smartly dressed spiders he goes on a mission to investigate the Swarm of Locusts. Leading a dangerous raid on a warehouse and finally captures his arch nemesis, the evil Red Locust. 

Following a news conference proclaiming his victory, Sun rejects an offer by Janey a tiny orphan jumping spider. Janey’s dream is to be Sun’s apprentice.

After Inspector Sun’s success capturing Red Locust he boards a human Pan A Clipper seaplane headed for San Francisco. He was seeking a well-earned holiday. 

Humans occupy the passenger cabin, beneath the floors and cargo, the hull is laid out like a luxurious ocean liner for bugs, with webbing infused with art deco.

On the seaplane, Sun tries to enjoy his trip when Janey pops up in his cabin. A stowaway, she followed Sun aboard. Security Chief Scarab catches Janey and is about to throw her off the plane as she has broken policy rules.  Sun intervenes and is forced to pay Janey’s way. 

Little did they know a murder was about to happen on his flight drawing him into a plot that threatens both the human and bug worlds.  

After dinner, it is the wealthy doctor Bugsy Sppindlethorp who is found murdered. He was honeymooning with his wife Arabella, a black widow spider. Scarab and Captain Skelton immediately suspect Arabella as the killer and take her to a holding cell. Janey is excited to help Sun solve the case and prove her worth.

Inspector Sun will need to once more solve the mystery. But, what starts as just another case aboard the plane, will eventually decide the fate of all of humanity.

Star voices and production  

Actors: Ronny Chieng (huntsman spider), Emily Kleimo (Janey the jumping spider), Jennifer Childs (Arabella Killtop the black widow spider), Rich Orlow (the Red Locust), Ianin Batchelor (Captain Skeleton), Scott Geer (Dr Bugsy Spindlethorp a funner-web spider), Jeanette Grace GOnglewski (Ant Queen) (Lady Vatchu), Paul Louis Miller (Mr. Gill Tea a mantis assassin).

Director: Julio Soto Gurpide, Screenplay: Rocco Pucillo

Producers: Adriana Malfatti Chen, Julio Soto Gúrpide, Karl Richards, Peter Rogers, Rocco Pucillo, Jason Kaminsky

In Cinemas Nationally 15 February

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