Sam Raimi is great. On the interviews disk he talks about why super hero movies are important. He says--as Aunt May also says in the film--that super-heroes are important to young boys, and they should be good examples. Peter Parker arguing with himself about moral issues is important as an example to youngsters on the moral issues they will face themselves.
While much of our modern society, with its airs of danger, its feelings of uncertainty, its media-hyped mega-heroes (often assigned such value because of either political agenda, or proximity to tragedy), I like that he has something simple to say about the hero myth and idea. Kids love super-heroes for a reason, and for that very reason Raimi takes his job very seriously. Good for him.
It shows in the film, and that's one of the things that gives the Spider-man films the heart that is missing from other adaptations. Not to mention that any guy who shows up in a suit to work on a film every day as a show of respect to Alfred Hitchcock, but mostly to his crew has to be admired.
My favorite moment is still the hospital room blood-bath, on which second viewing I realized was devoid of blood. The fingernails of the nurse digging into the floor were enough to get the spine chilled, though.
Also, it's nice to see a female protagonist stand up on her own, and basically say "if you're not with me, I'm going on with my life." and then saying "It's not up to you to protect me, it's up to myself to decide if I expose myself to that danger." I'll be curious to see how they play that in SM3.
Props again to the inestimable Alfred Molina, for making Doc Oct such a tragic character. I hope he climbs his way out of the river for a return appearance. Props also to the SFX team for making the fights so explosive. They felt animated, but they also felt right. And exciting--I'm sure I'd be happy to watch them again.
What I used to dislike about Spider-Man as a kid (his teenager/young adult pathos--I preferred the X-Men melodrama) I love about him as an adult, and fits well with movie story telling. Let's hope Raimi pulls off the trifecta, and the 2000s will be the era were filmmakers can make three good films in a row (on our side: LOTR. Against us: Matrix & Star Wars).
Where we saw it: DVD (Seen It Before) | We deign to rate it: 85 outta 100Watching this for me was too much like watching someone else play a video game. That little CGI Spider-Man swinging back and forth just didn't do it for me. I agree, though, that the "Evil Dead"-inspired hospital scene was terrific.
Posted by: Scott at April 2, 2005 06:32 AMA good movie, but much better if you didn't see the first Spiderman (which now seems awful in retrospect).
Too many scenes are lifted out of the first movie with a little enhancement, but no additional content or creativity.
Pining for MJ, check.
Throwing women off tall objects, check.
Citizens standing up for Spiderman, check.
Retelling the Uncle Ben story, check.
With great power comes great responsibility, check.
Jameson ranting, check.
Token scene with Betty Brant, check.
Maybe someday someone will edit the first two movies into one really good one.
Posted by: Grinwell at June 11, 2005 12:15 PM